SCAC News Page

Seminole County Airboat Club

NEWS FLASH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! April 2006

Airboat Muffler/Flag Law passed - may possibly be in effect in October.

(1) The exhaust of every internal combustion engine used on any airboat operated on the water of this state shall be provided with an automotive-style factory muffler, underwater exhaust, or other manufactured device capable of adequately muffling the sound of the exhaust of the engine as descried in s. 327.02 (24). The use of cutouts or flex pipe is prohibited, except as provided in subsection (4). Any person who violates this subsection commi9ts a non-criminal infraction, punishable as provided in s. 327.73 (1).

(3) An airboat may not operate on the waters of the state unless it is equipped with a mast or flagpole bearing a flag at a height of at least 10 feet above the deck. The flag must be square or rectangular, at least 10 inches by 12 inches in size, international orange in color, and displayed so that the visibility of the flag is not obscured in any direction. Any person who violates this subsection commits a non-criminal infraction, punishable as provided in s. 327.73 (1)

Read the entire bill - Airboat Bill

Measurement and Characterization of Sound Generated by Airboats

By: Florida Fish and Wildlife conservation Commission &

Florida Atlantic University college of Engineering

Airboat Sound Study

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Airboat Safety Manual

AIRBOAT MUFFLING REQUIREMENTS

Is there a new law that requires mufflers on airboats?

Technically there is no "new" law. 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. Flex-pipe had been widely accepted as a form of "muffling device" for airboats, but no work had been done to determine its effectiveness. Recent scientific research concluded that flex-pipe alone is ineffective as a muffling device, therefore it cannot meet the legal requirement for effective muffling without the addition of a device designed to muffle engine exhaust sound.

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.

Did FWC pass a new rule to require muffles?

FWC Commissioners did not pass a "rule," but instead directed staff to implement an "enforcement protocol" for FWC officers relating to muffling airboat exhaust. Based on the scientific research, the protocol provides clarification and direction to law enforcement officers about the fact that flex-pipe alone does not meet the muffling standards found in statute. It directs officers to begin an educational effort aimed at informing airboat operators that automotive-style mufflers are required to be installed on the exhaust of airboats operated in Florida. Once the FWC’s educational effort has been completed (including a direct mailing of information to everyone who has registered an airboat in Florida and information-posting on the Web), officers will begin issuing warnings and citations for violations.

Do airboaters have a grace period with the FWC in order to comply with the muffler requirement?

Yes. The FWC Commissioners wanted to ensure that the airboating community had appropriate opportunity to make the modifications necessary to comply with the law. The educational period is intended to extend until June 30, 2006. After that date, officers will continue to take an educational approach by issuing written warnings followed by citations to those who continue to violate the requirement.

What kind of a muffler does the FWC consider acceptable for an airboat?

The FWC enforcement protocol requires that all airboats operated in Florida utilize mufflers to reduce exhaust sound levels.

“Muffler” means an automotive-style sound suppression device or system designed and installed to abate the sound of exhaust gasses emitted from an internal combustion engine and which prevents excessive or unusual noise.

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.

This information was obtained from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

myfwc.com

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission now as an online boaters safety course. Click on the link below to find out more info.

Boatsafty.com

RULES OF THE ROAD (water)

You hear a lot of talk about The Rules of the Road, but to many boaters these rules are Greek. The following reminders may help to make some sense.

Red lights are always on left (port) side of boat and green lights are on right (starboard) side.
When two boaters meet head on, both should steer to the right (starboard).
When vessels are crossing, the boat on the right (starboard) has the right-of-way.
When passing another vessel, the vessel being passed has the right-of-way.
When boating in a narrow channel, keep to the right (starboard).
Sailing vessels under sail have the right-of-way all the time.
If you find yourself in danger, five short blasts of the horn will signal nearby boaters.
Any action to avoid collision must be made early and be readily apparent to the other vessel.