NEWS

September 3, 2004

Jet-Ski owners have rights, too

Dave Bamdas
Owner, RIVA Motorsports Pompano beach

I was appalled by your editorial that assailed personal watercraft and the many families that own them. Your writer's opinion was not only offensive, but replete with error and generally amateur. Surely the South Florida Sun-Sentinel can do better.

My customers are hard-working Floridians who have the same rights and privileges as every other citizen and deserve the same access to Biscayne National Park -- a public park -- as every other boater who enjoys its waters. Before the ban was enacted locally in 1998, I estimate that 90 percent of my customers used to ride in the park. My typical customer is around 40 years old and has a family.

The vast majority of personal watercraft I sell seat three people and are more environmentally sensitive than the oil tankers and aging motorboats with zero emissions controls that are currently allowed in the park. The ban is illogical and serves no other purpose besides discrimination. Personal watercraft belong back in the park. It's time to ignore the bias and begin the scientific study required to make a sound judgment.