Airboats a loud, potential alternative to ferry issue

[rick]

February 15,2007
PATRICIA SMITH View stories by reporter

daily news staffSWANSBORO - They would be loud.

Officials at Hammocks Beach State Park don't know just how loud it would be to use airboats as an alternative means of transporting visitors to and from Bear Island.

But it would be loud. Make no mistake about it.

"I feel comfortable in saying that if people were going to ride an airboat here, they would have to wear hearing protection," said park Superintendent Paul Donnelly.

Nevertheless, airboats are the best alternative park officials have found to outboard motorboat ferries in case dredging Cow Channel doesn't occur, Donnelly said.

It's just not a good alternative, he said.

"Right now, I think park staff has several concerns about us operating airboats in...

The rest: http://www.jdnews.com/SiteProcessor...plates/Details.cfm&StoryID=48461&Section=News

 

[Olf Art]

This looks like a good opportunity for a manufacturer to go to these officials with a 'Quiet' boat proposal.
Nothing would change the public's perception of airboating faster than to ride on a big one that wasn't loud.

It's time has come, but we need the manufacturers to take the lead. JMO

 

[Root Pass]

The park is pursuing a dredging option. At the same time, there are concerns about the expense of such a project that might have to be repeated in a few years, Donnelly said. So the park is looking at alternative solutions, as well.

That is a much better idea! Environmentalist have done more harm than any other group of people.

"We could end up not providing any transportation at all across to Bear Island and it would become a wilderness area," Donnelly said.

That would be the worst case scenario, he said.

It would mean no park transportation to a $1.4 million combination bath house, picnic shelter and concession stand facility completed in 2003.

Did no one think of this before they shelled out $1.4 MILLION?

 

[Geneva0550]

You got that right boblee, 60K for a nice powerfull but QUIET airboat should be a drop in the bucket compared to the 1.4 Mill. they already spent and alot better for the environment than dredging. Diamondback, Alumitech, and American have all built some nice diesel work boats that are pretty Quiet .

 

[Root Pass]

The Govt. will spend our money faster than we can make it!! :cussing:

 

[Olf Art]

Spending another man's money doesn't require you to be responsible because you know you don't have to pay it back ......

I have nothing but contempt for most of our legislators.

 

[Country_Boy_85]

i'll second that one.