News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2001
Letter to the Editor
Cape Cod Times
319 Main St.
Hyannis, MA 02601-4038
Dear Editor:
The preservation and future of
Cape Cod is important to all of us. The recent discussions
about the future of personal watercraft are proof of this.
Safe and responsible use of our natural resources should be
a priority - and it is for the personal watercraft industry.
Yet some still turn a blind eye to the truth about personal
watercraft and consider banning their use on public waters.
The truth is that the personal
watercraft industry has gone to great lengths, investing enormous
resources in the last two years to make personal watercraft
clean, quiet and safe. In fact, today's personal watercraft
are up to 75% cleaner and as much as 70% quieter than 1998
models. In fact, personal watercraft actually are the ideal
boat for Cape Cod because their propeller-less design has
minimal environmental impact.
Regardless of the misperceptions,
the majority of personal watercraft owners are families who
have extensive boating experience and understand the importance
of safety on the water.
And safety is a priority for
the personal watercraft industry. By advocating minimum age
requirements, mandatory boating education and shoreline sound
reduction, the industry is dedicated to promoting safe and
responsible use of personal watercraft.
Massachusetts already has some
of the most rigorous personal watercraft safety laws, and
models being sold today have some of the most advanced emissions
and sound reduction technology available. The state has set
the minimum age of personal watercraft operation at 16 years
old and instituted mandatory education for all users. The
result of these efforts is that the Coast Guard reported in
1998 that personal watercraft accidents have declined over
8% while other boating accidents are increasing.
It is unfair to single out personal
watercraft. We can work together to preserve the natural beauty
of Cape Cod. And we hope more public officials on Cape Cod
take time to learn the facts about personal watercraft and
listen to the many people who enjoy personal watercraft. There
truly is room enough for all types of boaters on Cape Cod.
We just have to give it a chance.
Monita Fontaine
Executive Director
Personal Watercraft Industry Association
Washington, DC
|