The vessel of our favorite pastime has received many very positive accolades (along with it's owners & operators) in the last couple of years & it's unique abilities are now being recognized worldwide creating strong demand for these vessels.
Unfortunately, many of the new owners do not take seriously the nuances of operating one of these vessels, allow for proper training or, more importantly, regular and emergency stick time to understand the capabilities & safe operation of THEIR particular vessel.
Hopefully, this sad incident will be a "wake up call" nationally on the issue.
The FAA leadership is strongly committed to safe airboat operation and positive press for airboats & their operators. We will continue to aggressively promote airboats to save lives and communicate the volunteerism of our private airboat owners and the service we provide to our fellow man.
Please bear in mind that there is little to no information on airboats and their operation outside of our circle. These types of stories, if we don't provide background information and knowledgeable sources to the reporters, can quickly turn "anti-airboat." Behind the scenes, FAA leadership spend many hours speaking to the reporter on this story and other news publications so they had basic understanding of the issue and knowledgeable folks to interview on the subject. As with any new subject, (this happens with all media), your words can misinterpreted or misquoted, which happened in this story. However, failure to communicate could result in a damaging or incorrect story.
As a topic of comment on this forum, what do ya'll think? Should we continue to attempt to aggressively set the record straight with media, provide contacts and information sources for any story regarding airboats (Same with hunting, Conservation, Southern heritage, Second Amendment issues) or should we just roll over & play dead and be happy with whatever our detractors or anyone else says about airboats or their operators?
Happy hunting,
Phil Walters
On a similar topic, the FAA is in the process of raising funds to retain Bonnie as our voice in Tallahassee. One goal for her in 2007 will be to strengthen the 2/3 majority non discrimination language to full non discrimination wording for airboats, the same wording that personal watercraft has in the statues.
Are you willing to support a voice in Tallahassee for our goals with your $$$$$?
Last, when are we going to put the lies & distortions of the anti-hunters and animal rights people to bed and start sustainable hunting of bears in Florida?
