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Is there a new law that requires mufflers on airboats?
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Are there other requirements in the new law?
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What kind of a muffler does FWC consider acceptable for an airboat?
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Why has airboat sound become an issue in Florida?
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What has the Fish and Wildlife conservation Commission (FWC)
done to address the concerns?
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Will putting mufflers on airboats solve the public concerns?
Is there a new law that requires mufflers on airboats?
Yes. Effective October 1, 2006, Florida law (Chapter 327.391(1),
Florida Statutes) requires the exhaust of every internal
combustion engine used on any airboat operated on the waters of
Florida to be provided with a stock factory muffler, underwater
exhaust, or other manufactured device capable of adequately
muffling the sound of the exhaust of the engine. Even though
there is a new law specifically addressing airboat operations,
current Florida law (Chapter 327.65, Florida Statutes) has
required every vessel operated in Florida to have their engine
exhaust effectively muffled in a reasonable manner for many
years.
Are there other requirements in
the new law?
Yes. Effective October 1, 2006
all airboats operating in Florida waters must be equipped with a
mast or flagpole bearing a square or rectangular flag at a
height of at least 10 feet above the lowest portion of the
vessel. The flag must be at least 10 inches by 12 inches
in size and must be international orange in color. The
flag must be displayed in a way so that visibility of the flag
is not obscured in any direction.
In addition, effective October 1, 2006, any person who is cited
for a violation of airboat muffling or airboat flag provisions
and fails to properly respond to citation can be charged with a
second degree misdemeanor.
What kind of a muffler does
FWC consider acceptable for an airboat?
The FWC will not specify which mufflers are to be used on
airboats. All airboat owners are encouraged to seek the quietest
and most effective muffling device(s) for their particular
vessel and engine combination. Exhaust muffling can be
effectively accomplished in many ways using a wide variety of
devices.
The new state law (which became effective October 1, 2006)
allows the use of automotive-style factory mufflers, underwater
exhaust or other manufactured devices capable of adequately
muffling the sound of the exhaust of the engine.
“Muffler” means an automotive-style sound suppression device
or system designed to effectively abate the sound of exhaust
gasses emitted from an internal combustion engine and prevent
excessive sound when installed on such engine.”
Why has airboat sound become
an issue in Florida?
Airboats historically have operated in the more remote areas
within Florida, and concern over airboat sound by the public had
been minimal. Concerns about excessive noise from airboats have
recently been voiced by many people, including homeowners near
the water, people involved in fishing, and others involved in
outdoor recreation. As development continues on or near our
water resources, previously remote areas are becoming populated
by people who have an expectation for outdoor sound levels to
stay within reason. This trend is anticipated to continue well
into the future.
What has the Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission (FWC) done to address the concerns?
The FWC held several public workshops around the state to get a
well-rounded perspective of the airboat sound issue and to
solicit possible solutions based on public consensus.
Additionally, the FWC contracted with researchers from Florida
Atlantic University to complete an airboat sound research
project to determine the sources of airboat sounds and to
evaluate various methods of reducing sound levels from airboats.
Following the conclusion of this research, staff again held
public workshops to seek input from the public about a possible
requirement for mufflers on airboats and a proposed airboat
owner and operator educational campaign. Workshop participants
overwhelmingly supported the requirement for automotive-style
mufflers on airboats and the concept for owner/operator
education. Finally, as part of the public outreach program, the
FWC mailed
informational brochures regarding safe and courteous
airboat operation to all registered airboat owners in 2006.
Will putting mufflers on airboats solve the public concerns?
Muffling airboat
exhaust is only one incremental step that airboat operators
must take to help eliminate public concerns. The educational
material that has been distributed addresses several simple
steps that operators can take to minimize the sound levels
generated by their boats. These include:
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Gradually accelerating to planing speed and then operating
at minimum planing speed as much as possible.
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Avoiding "running dry" and both power- and "dry-loading"
onto the trailer.
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Staying far away from residences and other people,
especially at night.
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Keeping in mind that high propeller rpm generates much of
the annoying sound from airboats, so everything an operator
does to reduce prop speed helps to eliminate an airboat’s
effect on others.
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Adhering to the principles contained in the
Airboater's Code
of Ethics.
