AMERICAN WATERCRAFT ASSOCIATION INC

THE AMERICAN WATERCRAFT ASSOCIATION (AWA) CONTINUES ITS ANNUAL ATTENDANCE AT THE YAMAHA CORPORATE DEALER MEETING IN AUGUST, OF WHICH 109 ARE MEMBERS OF THE AWA. DEALERSHIPS, PARTICULARLY IN FLORIDA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, TENNESSEE, AND MASSACHUSETTS ARE AFFECTED DIRECTLY BY BOATING SAFETY ISSUES. IN MASSACHUSETTS, AWA WORKED WITH LOCALITIES AND IN-STATE GROUPS, INCLUDING GOVERNING BODIES, TO CORRECT HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS BY EDUCATING POLICY MAKERS ON THE BENEFIT OF STATE MANDATED BOATING SAFETY COURSES. THIS YEAR THOSE EFFORTS WERE SUCCESFUL WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SAID CLASSES. IN FLORIDA, AWA CONTINUES TO WORK WITH IN-STATE BOATING GROUPS AND MEMBER DEALERS TO BRING ATTENTION TO FLAWS IN BOATING SAFETY LEGISLATION WHICH NEGATIVELY IMPACTED MEMBERS AND USERS. THIS INCLUDES EDUCATION OF MEMBERS ON TECHNICALITIES OF CURRENT BOATING LAWS THUS HELPING THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES AVOID CONFLICT. AWA CONTINUES TO BE A MEMBER OF THE MANATEE FORUM IN FLORIDA. THIS GROUP IS COMPRISED OF BOATING USER GROUPS AND ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS WORKING TOGETHER ON POLICIES BEST SUITED FOR THE PROTECTING THE MANATEES AND USER ACCESS TO PUBLIC WATERS. AWA ALSO PROVIDED INPUT ON THE RESTORATION PLAN FOR THE FLORIDA KEYS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY. THIS MULTI-DECADE EFFORT ENSURES THE PROTECTION OF VITAL MARINE ANIMALS AND RESOURCES, WHILE CONTINUING TO ENSURE THE PUBLIC ACCESS TO FEDERAL WATERS FOR PUBLIC ENJOYMENT. IN NEW YORK STATE, AWA CONTINUES TO SUPPORT EFFORTS BY THE ADIRONDACK JET SKI CLUB. THE GROUP IS COMPOSED OF STATE CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS PROVIDING NY STATE SAFE BOATING COURSES FOR MEMBER AGENCIES OF "SAFE WATERWAYS WORKING GROUP." AWA SUPPORTS THE GROUP THROUGH DIRECT DONATION OF LIFE VESTS FOR USE BY THE PUBLIC, PROVIDED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT.