News & Topics

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis opened the 84^th annual Miami International Boat Show by acknowledging the recreational boating industry’s economic impact within the state as well as introducing the Boater Freedom Initiative, which aims to protect Floridians’ rights to boat. The Yamaha External Affairs team collaborated with the Marine Business Planning team to give the Governor’s office the information and research necessary to ensure this new initiative became a reality.

“We began conversations about a technology neutral approach to boating (i.e. customers have the right to choose their fuel source) with the Governor’s office last July. This new initiative is a direct result of the conversations which have occurred during the last seven months,” said Martin Peters, Director, External Affairs. “The state of Florida is widely known as the boating capital of the world. Many of our customers live and boat in Florida, and we feel it’s our responsibility to work with legislative officials to ensure customers have access to public waters as well as the right to choose how they boat. The Boater Freedom Initiative is a win for the industry, for Yamaha and for our customers.”

The Boater Freedom Initiative prevents local bans on vessels based on fuel type, allowing Floridian boaters to access to public waters regardless of the fuel they choose to power their vessels. This provision in the initiative is in line with Yamaha’s support for multiple technology solutions for boaters, allowing them to choose electric or internal combustion power methods. The initiative also repeals the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC’s) authority to conduct random safety inspections without probable cause and directs the FWC to create a five-year safety inspection decal program linked to vessel registration. A separate bill for which the Yamaha team provided research promises to invest in additional boat ramps, parking and marina programs, ensuring public access to Florida’s waterways.

The Yamaha External Affairs team plans to work with additional state legislatures to pursue similar bills across the country.

Bob Starr, Yamaha Motor U.S.A. (YMUS)