As thrill-seekers flock to try out the "Iron Man" watersport, Hawaii officials are questioning its safety and the extent of damage it is causing fish and coral in the state's heavily trafficked tropical waters.
Watersports are popular among tourists of Hawaii. A new sport, Jetlav, is fast becoming a favorite among thrill-seekers. The device, reportedly throws people into the air with the help of pumped water, giving an individual the feeling of flying like "Iron Man."
Promotional videos on YouTube show riders shooting out of the ocean into the sky, then diving back in the water like dolphins.
However, the safety of the new device is being questioned by Hawaii officials. Fishermen and other ocean enthusiasts have complained that the new sport is affecting the fish and coral of the Hawaiian waters.
According to a Washington Times report, fisherman Carl Jellings said that watercrafts have already scared away fish from Oahu's bays and these new machines will only aggravate the problem.
"More and more and more these bays are being run over, taken over by other activities. The marine life that depend on these places - they're being displaced," he said in an interview.
University of Hawaii coral scientist Bob Richmond raised his concerns about the noise these new machines create. It is a known fact that fish avoid loud noises and these jetpacks will only scare the fish away.
Addressing these complaints, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources called a public meeting last month. The department's top enforcement officer, Randy Awo, expressed his own concerns about the danger of people diving into the waters next to moving boats.
William Aila, chairman of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, confirmed that after experts determine the extent to which the new machines are affecting fish and coral, the state may find a way to accommodate the devices, reports ABC News.
The machines are also available for rent in San Diego, Key West, Fla., and Cancun, Mexico.
