What is FWC doing to help address airboat sound levels?
The first step toward finding concrete solutions to the airboat sound issue is to obtain the appropriate scientific data. The FWC’s Boating and Waterways Section initiated a formal research project by working with stakeholders to develop a Scope of Work. This document was used to solicit a highly-qualified, professional research team to study airboat sound levels, their sources and technological means to reduce sound emissions on airboats. A research team from the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) College of Engineering offered a proposal for the project, and a planning meeting including the researchers, FWC staff and stakeholders (an airboat manufacturer and a concerned waterfront homeowner representative) was conducted in Ocala to ensure that the project goals and objectives were clearly defined and understood. The results of this meeting led to the FWC entering into contract with FAU during August 2004, to conduct the research project. Final Report on Airboat Sound Research 9/19/05
