News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 23, 2003

Personal Watercraft Industry Association Supports Mandatory Boater Education;
Asserts Safety Courses will Enhance Responsible Behavior

Contact:
Elinore Boeke, 202-721-1621
Brian Berry, 202-777-3524

Washington, DC—In light of recent news that American Idol's Justin Guarini was cited for unsafe boat operation at Joe Pool Lake in Cedar Hill, Texas after riding his personal watercraft dangerously fast ashore, the Personal Watercraft Industry Association (PWIA) reasserts its support of strict law enforcement and boating safety education.

Guarini and 2002 "American Idol," Kelly Clarkson, both claimed to be unaware of local no-wake ordinances that mandate very low speeds for powered vessels within close proximity to the shore. Unsafe boat operation is a punishable crime in Grand Prairie, Texas. It is expected that Guarini's case will be presented in court next month.

PWIA supports mandatory user education requirements, arguing that well-instructed, more aware boaters make safer, more responsible boaters. "While we want people to enjoy using our products, safety and respect for the law comes first - every time," stated Kirsten Rowe, Executive Director of PWIA.

"Personal watercraft are motorboats, and they should be respected as such. We recommend that every operator enroll in a state-approved boating safety course or receive formal instruction from the rental company," Rowe continued. "Knowledge of boating safety and navigational laws will make the waters safer and more enjoyable for everyone."

PWIA offers free rental safety kits to rental businesses, including a video and NASBLA-approved safety guidelines for educating renters before they go out on the water. Manufacturers have also loaned 13,000 PWC to law enforcement, rescue, and research organizations for use in on-water patrols, search and rescue operations, and marine mammal research.

PWIA, representing all five manufacturers of personal watercraft, actively advocates for states to implement reasonable regulations such as mandatory boating safety education for all personal watercraft operators, a minimum age of 16 to operate a PWC and 18 to rent, use only during daylight hours, the establishment of no-wake zones, and strict enforcement of boating safety and navigation laws. Model legislation and other information on personal watercraft can be viewed at www.pwia.org.

PWCs are manufactured by Bombardier (Sea-Doo), Honda (AquaTrax), Kawasaki (JET SKI), Polaris (Polaris Watercraft), and Yamaha (WaveRunner) and are enjoyed by twenty million Americans every year, especially during the peak boating months between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Coast Guard statistics show that 99 percent of personal watercraft are enjoyed accident free.