Personal Watercraft Industry Association Commends Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney for Rescuing Family with Personal Watercraft

7/8/2003

From: Elinore Boeke, 202-721-1621 Brian Berry, 202-777-3524 both for the Personal Watercraft Industry Association web: http://www.pwia.org

WASHINGTON, July 8 -- The Personal Watercraft Industry Association (PWIA) commends Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and his family for saving a New Jersey family of six from drowning over the holiday weekend while vacationing at Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.

On the evening of Saturday, July 5th, the Governor and his two grown sons, Josh and Craig, responded to the family's yells for help 300 yards from shore after their 21-foot wooden boat sank suddenly. The Governor and his sons quickly boarded their two 3-passenger personal watercraft (PWC) and were able to rescue all six family members along with their dog, making a total of three trips to bring the distressed family to safety.

"The quick action taken by Governor Romney and his sons in the moments after the boat sank made the difference between a successful rescue and a tragedy," stated Kirsten Rowe, Executive Director of PWIA. "A combination of the Romneys' heroism and the unique maneuverability of personal watercraft make it possible today for this entire family to share their story."

The benefits of using PWC to save lives are well-known to professional rescuers. Over the years manufacturers have loaned 13,000 PWC to law enforcement and rescue agencies across the nation, a retail investment of more than $65 million. The unique design and maneuverability of a PWC make these vessels ideal for patrolling, rescue operations and marine mammal research. Personal watercraft have no exposed propeller, making them safer to board and able to be equipped with a "rescue board," often used in open water rescues.

PWIA, representing all five manufacturers of personal watercraft, actively advocates for states to implement reasonable regulations such as mandatory boating safety education for all personal watercraft operators, a minimum age of 16 to operate a PWC, use only during daylight hours, the establishment of no-wake zones, and strict enforcement of boating safety and navigation laws. Model legislation and other information on personal watercraft can be viewed at http://www.pwia.org.

Personal watercraft (PWC, commonly known by their brand names, including JET SKI, WaveRunner, and Sea-Doo) are enjoyed by 20 million Americans every year, especially during the peak boating months between Memorial Day and Labor Day.