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| Jun 26 2009 |
| PWIA Applauds NASBLA's "Operation Dry Water"
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PERSONAL WATERCRAFT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION STATEMENT ON NASBLA’S “OPERATION DRY WATER”
WASHINGTON—The Personal Watercraft Industry Association applauds the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators for the success of Operation Dry Water, (June 26-June 28, 2009) a weekend-long event involving at least 49 states promoting boater safety by discouraging “boating under the influence,” or BUI. The following statement is attributed to PWIA Executive Director Maureen Healey.
“Most boating accidents are avoidable when you consider operator-controlled factors are usually to blame, such as inattention, excessive speed or other reckless behavior. Alcohol and operating a boat just don’t mix, yet tragically, alcohol is involved in 21 percent of boating fatalities. Boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal, and through events like Operation Dry Water, more boaters will become aware.
“The mission of Operation Dry Water is closely related to the mission of PWIA, as both are committed to improving boater safety. An educated boater helps to make our nation’s waterways safer.”
About PWIA
PWIA represents the four manufacturers of personal watercraft: American Honda Motor Company (makers of AquaTrax®), BRP US, Inc. (makers of Sea-Doo®), Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (makers of JET SKI®) and Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. (makers of WaveRunner®). As a result of remarkable technological advancements, modern personal watercraft are up to 90 percent cleaner and 70 percent quieter than those produced prior to 1998. PWIA advocates for state and local governments to implement reasonable guidelines such as mandatory boating safety education for PWC users, a minimum age of 16 to operate a PWC (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 PWC can be viewed at www.pwia.org.
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