News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 6, 2004

Legislation to Increase Personal Watercraft Age Requirement to 16 Passes
through Louisiana Legislature with Overwhelming Support
Industry-Supported Proposal Expected to be Signed into Law by Governor Any Day

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

Washington, DC— Personal watercraft operators will soon be required to be at least 16 years of age if they intend to ride in the state of Louisiana. A legislative proposal sponsored by Senator Noble Ellington was unanimously passed in the State Senate on June 16th after it carried a favorable 82-12 vote in the State House on June 14th. The legislation has now been sent to the Governor for Executive approval. Once approved, it will become effective January 1st, 2005.

“We applaud Senator Noble Ellington and Representative Jack Smith for their leadership to drive this legislation to fruition,” stated Christian Gullot, Manager of State Affairs for the Personal Watercraft Industry Association (PWIA), which strongly advocated for the proposal’s passage.

“While they might be smaller than other boats, personal watercraft are nonetheless motorized vessels and should be afforded the same precautions as larger boats,” stated Senator Noble Ellington.

Until Senate Bill 710 was passed, the minimum age requirement was 13 years. Those individuals who were of legal operating age by the time this legislation was passed but still not 16 years of age will be grand fathered in by the new law with certain conditions. They will be required to complete a boating safety education course and carry proof of completion when they ride. “This legislation will go a long way towards enhancing safety on Louisiana public waters,” said Representative Jack Smith, who led the fight for the bill in the House of Representatives.

“We believe an educated boater is a more responsible, courteous boater,” said Gullott. “Requiring boating safety education for all personal watercraft operators is a good policy. The personal watercraft industry is pleased that Senator Ellington’s legislation requires those operators protected by the grand father clause to be required to take a safety course,” he continued.

Often referred to by their trade names—JET SKI®, WaveRunner® Sea-Doo®, Polaris®, and AquaTrax®, personal watercraft (PWC) are remarkable boats. As a result of an industry-wide commitment to update engine technology since 1998, manufacturers have been producing PWC that are 75 percent cleaner and 70 percent quieter than previous models. New models can seat up to four passengers and tow a water skier. PWC have evolved into an environmentally friendly boating choice for families who wish to enjoy the water together, and have found personal watercraft to be affordable, approachable, and easy to store, transport, and maintain.

Modern PWC are compliant with federal and state emissions requirements, and many models met the EPA’s 2006 standards several years ahead of mandate.

As the trade association representing the five major personal watercraft manufacturers in the U.S., PWIA actively advocates for states to adopt reasonable regulations such as mandatory boating safety education for all PWC users, a minimum age of 16 to operate PWC, and daylight-only usage restrictions. PWIA’s mission is to ensure that personal watercraft and personal watercraft users are treated fairly when local, state, and federal government officials consider boating regulations. More information on PWIA is available at www.pwia.org.