News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 20, 2001

Florida Keys Advisory Council and Regulatory Working Group To Meet About Personal Watercraft Use

MEDIA CONTACT:
Amy Fox: 202-775-1401
or
Allison Stanfill: 202-721-1621

Florida Keys—The week of August 20, 2001, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council and the Sanctuary Advisory Council Regulatory Working Group will hold public meetings to discuss the use of motorized boating including personal watercraft. Although a 2000 Florida law states, "Any ordinance or local law which has been adopted pursuant to this section or any other state law may not discriminate against personal watercraft," opponents have been trying to use a campaign of misinformation to ban personal watercraft.

Consider the facts on personal watercraft:

Personal watercraft accidents are at a 7 year low in the state of Florida
A 1997 study in the Florida Keys found personal watercraft do not harm seagrass beds or create significant water turbulence.

Personal watercraft manufacturers have gone to great lengths to protect the environment, investing in technological advances that since 1998 have resulted in cleaner, quieter and more efficient crafts. Today's PWCs have 75 percent fewer emissions and are up to 70% quieter than 1998 models.

Personal watercraft and outboard motors use the same two-stroke engine technology. The new technology being used on PWC today, called direct injection, reduces emissions by 75 percent over conventional outboard motors.

The personal watercraft industry strongly advocates minimum age requirements, mandatory boating education and shoreline sound reduction legislation. In fact, the personal watercraft industry supported the 1996 boating education law in Florida which requires all renters born after 1980 pass an examine before riding. Since its passage, personal watercraft use has increased 39 percent while accidents decreased by 22 percent.

Dedicated to the well-being of our marine life and water safety, the personal watercraft industry has loaned more than 11,000 personal watercraft to federal, state and local agencies nationwide. In Florida, more than 280 personal watercraft were donated to state and local law enforcement officials. These crafts have been used for saving lives, patrolling, removing debris and saving endangered wildlife. Personal watercraft donated by the industry have been used to patrol manatee habits to ensure boaters respect speed limits.

The meetings will be held:
August 21 9 a.m.
Sanctuary Advisory Council
Marathon
Marathon Garden Center
5270 O/S Hwy.
MM 50

August 22 9 a.m.
Zoning Working Group
Marathon
FKNMS Office

August 23 9 a.m.
Regulatory Working Group
Marathon
Marathon Library
MM 48.5 O/S Hwy.