News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April, 2001

This Op Ed Appearing in the April 2001 Issue of Boating Industry International.
Personal Watercraft Group: "It's Time For the Truth"

Monita Fontaine
Executive Director, Personal Watercraft Industry Association

[Editor's note: Fontaine submitted this article in response to In Their Own Words, "PWCs give boating a black eye," February 2001. The US-based Personal Watercraft (PWC) Industry Association represents all major PWC manufacturers. It lobbies for and against legislation impacting the industry, and promotes the industry through publicity campaigns and education programs. It is affiliated with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).]
- April 2001 -

Personal watercraft group: 'It's time for the truth'

Bluewater Network is an anti-access group that is trying to stir people up by distorting facts, misrepresenting the PWC industry and attempting a character assassination on the millions of PWC users.

Regardless of their entreaties, if you think the Bluewater campaign is just about PWCs, you are wrong. If they have their way, itÕs just a matter of time before all motorized boats are banned.

Here is the truth about PWCs:

PWCs are environmentally friendly boats. Since they are jet propelled, they have minimal effect on sea life. They are often the boat of choice for wildlife rescue personnel and are used by Sea World for dolphin rescue. The PWC industry has donated more than 11,000 PWCs for water rescues and for enforcement of boating laws.

A recent report by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission found no difference between PWC and other marine outboard engines in nesting bird disturbance. Yet the industry goes farther, promoting 30.5-metre, no-wake zones near shorelines to protect wildlife. Bluewater's emissions arguments are groundless. While PWCs do have slightly higher horsepower and usage rates than some other types of boats, the horsepower is much less than some sport boats.

PWCs and emissions
Boaters who care about the environment know that recreational marine engines account for only 3 percent of all US hydrocarbon emissions, of which PWCs make up only 10 percent of that amount. Therefore, PWCs account for only 0.3 percent of all US hydrocarbon emissions. Bluewater continues a misinformation campaign, citing unspecified US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies. Where do they get their information? Certainly not from the EPA, which would tell them that the PWC industry is on track, meeting 2006 emissions standards today.

The PWC industry has gone to great lengths to ensure PWCs are quieter. Manufacturers' models continue to utilize a wide array of noise reduction technology. An independent study by the Society of Automotive Engineers found PWCs fall well within the noise level ranges for other small, motorized vehicles.

1998 US Coast Guard numbers show PWC accidents are steadily declining, on average 8.5 percent between 1997 and 1999, due to industry-endorsed safety and education legislation.

PWCs are a family recreation. According to Bowe Marketing Research, the average PWC owner is 41, with a majority of owners married with children, college-educated and with an average income of more than US$95,000.

Be wary of alliance
Don't be fooled by Bluewater's call for an alliance against PWCs. They were involved with a behind-the-closed-door, last-minute lawsuit settlement with the National Park Service, closing public lands to millions of boaters using PWCs.

While asking to be your partner, Bluewater is running a campaign using your boat and all other 2-stroke engines as the scapegoat.

The PWC industry has invested in technological advances in the last two years to make our boats cleaner, quieter and safer.
The industry is a leader in promoting common sense regulation, implementing minimum age requirements, protecting our shorelines, and establishing mandatory education programs in many states. The PWC industry believes in working together to make our waterways safe and enjoyable.

To experience the joy of being on the water is a privilege all boaters enjoy. PWC owners and operators are no different from any other boaters Ñ we are all environmentalists at heart. Don't let a vocal minority distort the facts and take the joy of the water away from millions of boaters.