LT. Roberts,
The American Watercraft Association couldn't agree more with Chris Edmonston and CPT. Klein. Behaviors should be the focus, not the particular type of boat. The overwhelming majority of personal watercraft owners are responsible and educated boaters. Yet, as you well know, it takes one or two knuckleheads on the water to discredit the rest, and all the work AWA has done over the years educating folks in the proper and legal use of PWC.
Years back, I was sitting through a presentation at a WSBAA conference. The presenter was a from the wake boat community. The basic gist was they were just having fun and what was the big deal. When the gentleman was done, a BLA sitting next to me took him to task. That BLA then pointed to me and said "You guys need to get the bigger picture, like the PWC people here do." Needless to say, after I recovered from shock, it was a proud moment for our organization to be recognized for our efforts in educating our community to not do stupid things. And still, there's always one boater out there who never gets it, and never will.
While we don't directly represent the wake boat community, and could never speak for them, they have come a long way since then. They're taking action, and it'll pay off better than any blanket regulations ever would. Just my two bits.
Chris Manthos
Director
American Watercraft Association
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Chris Manthos
Executive Director
American Watercraft Association
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-23-2021 03:27 PM
From: Wanda Roberts
Subject: Wake Boat - Ballasted Boat regulations
Recently we had a committee discussing wake boats or ballasted boats, providing a definition of those. Here in Georgia, we are having some inquiries regarding possibly placing regulations on these. Wanted to get some insight from other states to see if anyone:
1. Had requests for laws or rules that restrict wake boat use and if so, how was it resolved?
2. Has current laws, rules, or regulations that restrict wake boat use?
3. Any model legislation concerning wake boats and wake damage?
Thanks for all of your input!
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Wanda Roberts
Lieutenant
GA Dept of Natural Resources
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