Freedom to Boat at your own Speed
 

In the most recent weeks there have been formal discussions in New Jersey. These discussions are relative to the setting of speed limits in our tidal waters. These waters are inclusive of but not limited to the Barnegat Bay, Metedeconk, and the Toms River.
The Boating Regulatory Commission, a panel of individuals chosen by the Governor and another Task Force of Assemblymen are having political hearings on an Environmental bill with Speed limits on the back end. These speed limits are the focus of conversation due to complaints by civilians and sail boaters alike. The general standing is that speed kills and that power boaters are reckless in nature.
While those of us whom are in the Powerboating community feel otherwise and additionally feel that our rights and privileges are being attacked; this Environmental bill with speed limits of 30 mph is certainly a reality.
Assembly Moran is one of the members of the Task Force. He is the very person responsible for drafting this bill. He has made clear that he will include a speed limit on this bill based upon the pressure and complaints to date he has received. However as a true politician he vowed to do whatever necessary to silence the complaints.
With these issues at hand, there will be a grand majority affected and boating in the Ocean County area will change dramatically. Assembly Moran is a Republican in the Ocean County area. I believe that he as a politician wishes to continue his career and move on to greater things.
On January 8, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. in the Trenton State Trooper Facility, there will a last hearing with a pause of 60 days for civilian comment. Your presence will be necessary at this hearing in order to provide and personify the strength that we as the opposers will need to make our faint voice heard.

Please review the following thought provokers.
· Impact on the economical status of the powerboat dealers, manufactures, suppliers, etc.
· Lawsuits against the powerboat dealers, manufactures, suppliers, etc. that may result as power boaters are forced to venture into the offshore region where they lack experience resulting in a much higher number of accidents
· Statistics show no evidence of unsafe conditions at higher speeds; in fact they support greater safety as the speed increases
· Educating boaters in general, shall provide a much safer and friendlier environment for all who enjoy those waters
· Speed limits do not provide safer waters for anyone considering those who will remain uneducated
· Speed limits shall force boating visitors from all over to venture elsewhere for recreation instead of New Jersey
· WE ARE IN A RECESSION economically this will impair many people and also remove enjoyment for those who have only limited time to enjoy their personal vessels
· Florida waterways were limited only to protect the manatee and New Jersey does not have those same conditions.
· These speed limit proposals are due to complaints by individuals living on the Bay who have not exercised there legal right to pursue a complaint on a formal level. Since these people have not seen fit or ultimately deemed this unworthy to pursue why should the masses be punished. The legal system is there to protect and should be exercised to the fullest extent prior to any influence of a Boating Regulatory Commission who has not researched or studied such a drastic change to all who will be affected by this proposal.
Your support is greatly needed.
Please make a point to have your voice heard.
If you can let others know this situation that may at present be unaware, please do so.
Please feel free to duplicate this letter and pass on to as many as possible.
* Once any bill is passed, it would much more difficult to rescind or reverse it*
Call or write:
ASSEMBLYMAN JEFFREY W. MORAN (Republican-9TH District)
Heading Assembly Panel On Safe Boating
620 W. Lacey Road Forked River, N.J. 08731
Phone Number: (609) 693-6700 Fax: 693-2469

Assemblyman Robert J. Smith, II (D) (Assistant Majority Whip)
DISTRICT OFFICE ADDRESS: 110-F Greentree Road Turnersville, NJ 08012
PHONE NUMBER: (856) 232-6700

Assemblyman James W. Holzapfel (R)
DISTRICT OFFICE ADDRESS: 852 Highway 70 Brick, NJ 08724
PHONE NUMBER: (732) 840-9028 E-MAIL ADDRESS [email protected]

Assemblyman Albio Sires (D)(Speaker)
DISTRICT OFFICE ADDRESS: 303 58th Street, West New York, NJ 07093
PHONE NUMBER: (201) 854-0900

Thanks for the info. I plan on being there with as many as I can bring !

Off to write some letters now .........

Safety and education
 

We must push for saftey and education, this is were NJ needs to be. Not Speed Limits. Let us all stand together on this as a Team. and remember if you think this speed regulation can not effect you. If you live in NY and boat on the Hudson everytime you go out in the Ocean out of Sandy hook there will be a limit of 30mph if these folks get there way!

I am planning on being present also.

Bringing people to this meeting is very important on January 8, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. in the Trenton Trooper Facility. By March of 2003 this Enviornmental billl will be drafted and either with or without Speed Limits. And that of course is certainly up to us powerboaters. Remember if we do not act now, it could be too late and our Smmmer of 2003 in the Bay will be VERY DIFFERENT!!!!!!!!!!!!