News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 10, 2004

Proposal to Ban Personal Watercraft on Keoka Lake Denied
Town of Waterford Decision Preserves PWC Access

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

Washington, DC—The Town of Waterford, Maine has voted against a proposal that would have recommended to the State Legislature that personal watercraft be prohibited on Keoka Lake. The State of Maine does not permit localities to enact bans without the approval of the State Legislature; hence the necessary first step was thwarted. The March 6th vote means that families who have invested in a personal watercraft as an enjoyable and manageable alternative to a larger, costlier powerboat will be ensured continued access to the lake this boating season.

The Personal Watercraft Industry Association supports the vote to retain access for PWC and notes that modern PWC are among the most environmentally-friendly motorized vessels on the water today.

"Personal watercraft have a rightful place in public bodies of water where other forms of motorized boating is permitted," stated Christian Gullott, Manager of State Affairs for PWIA. "Because of remarkable technological advancements to achieve a 75% reduction in emissions and a 70% reduction in sound, there is no logical, scientific reason to single-out personal watercraft."

Manufacturers have committed countless resources since 1998 to produce vessels that are cleaner and quieter than ever. Every PWC sold today complies with all federal and state emissions and sound requirements. Many are compliant with the EPA's 2006 marine engine standards as well as the most stringent of emissions standards in the country - those outlined by the California Air Resources Board, or CARB.

"Dedicated local activists worked closely with PWIA representatives to chart a course for fair access to this public lake for both residents and visitors,” stated Gullott. "The lake is not the sole domain of lakefront property owners nor should the rules of the lake to be dictated only by those who can afford a house with a view of the lake from their back yard."

PWIA believes that an educated boater is a safer, more responsible boater and supports mandatory boating safety education for all users, to ensure that operators ride in accordance with state and local laws and have the knowledge necessary to operate a motorized vessel. "When the public's concern focuses on reckless and irresponsible behavior, the automatic solution should not be to punish everyone by enacting a ban," continued Gullott, "Those who break the law should be punished individually by the law."

PWIA, representing all five manufacturers of personal watercraft, actively advocates for state and local governments to implement reasonable and sound guidelines such as mandatory boating safety education, a minimum age of 16 to operate a PWC, 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.