Airboat Muffling Requirements - FAQ

·         Is there a new law that requires mufflers on airboats?

·         Why has airboat sound become an issue in Florida?

·         What has the Fish and Wildlife conservation Commission (FWC) done to address the concerns?

·         Did FWC pass a new rule to require mufflers?

·         Do airboaters have a “grace” period in order to comply with the muffler requirement

·         Will putting mufflers on airboats solve the public concerns?

·         What kind of a muffler does FWC consider acceptable for an airboat?

Is there a new law that requires mufflers on airboats?

Technically there is no "new" law. Florida law (Chapter 327.65, Florida Statutes) has required every vessel operated in Florida to have their engine exhaust effectively muffled in a reasonable manner for many years. Flex-pipe had been widely accepted as a form of "muffling device" for airboats, but no work had been done to determine its effectiveness. Recent scientific research concluded that flex-pipe alone is ineffective as a muffling device, therefore it cannot meet the legal requirement for effective muffling without the addition of a device designed to muffle engine exhaust sound.

Why has airboat sound become an issue in Florida?

Airboats historically have operated in the more remote areas within Florida, and concern over airboat sound by the public had been minimal. Concerns about excessive noise from airboats have recently been voiced by many people, including homeowners near the water, people involved in fishing, and others involved in outdoor recreation. As development continues on or near our water resources, previously remote areas are becoming populated by people who have an expectation for outdoor sound levels to stay within reason. This trend is anticipated to continue well into the future.

What has the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) done to address the concerns?  

The FWC Commissioners asked staff to hold several public workshops around the state to get a well-rounded perspective of the airboat sound issue and to solicit possible solutions based on public consensus. Additionally, the FWC contracted with researchers from Florida Atlantic University to complete an airboat sound research project to determine the sources of airboat sounds and to evaluate various methods of reducing sound levels from airboats. Following the conclusion of this research, staff again held public workshops to seek input from the public about a possible requirement for mufflers on airboats and a proposed airboat owner and operator educational campaign. Workshop participants overwhelmingly supported the requirement for automotive-style mufflers on airboats and the concept for owner/operator education. The FWC Commissioners recently heard public comment on this issue and directed staff to implement the staff and workshop participants’ recommendations (FWC Commission meeting held in Key Largo, December, 2005).

Did FWC pass a new rule to require mufflers?  

FWC Commissioners did not pass a "rule," but instead directed staff to implement an "enforcement protocol" for FWC officers relating to muffling airboat exhaust. Based on the scientific research, the protocol provides clarification and direction to law enforcement officers about the fact that flex-pipe alone does not meet the muffling standards found in statute. It directs officers to begin an educational effort aimed at informing airboat operators that automotive-style mufflers are required to be installed on the exhaust of airboats operated in Florida. Once the FWC’s educational effort has been completed (including a direct mailing of information to everyone who has registered an airboat in Florida and information-posting on the Web), officers will begin issuing warnings and citations for violations.

Do airboaters have a “grace” period with the FWC in order to comply with the muffler requirement?

Yes. The FWC Commissioners wanted to ensure that the airboating community had appropriate opportunity to make the modifications necessary to comply with the law. The educational period is intended to extend until June 30, 2006. After that date, officers will continue to take an educational approach by issuing written warnings followed by citations to those who continue to violate the requirement.

Will putting mufflers on airboats solve the public concerns?

Muffling airboat exhaust is only one incremental step that airboat operators must take to help eliminate public concerns. The educational material to be distributed addresses several simple steps that operators can take to minimize the sound levels generated by their boats. These include:

• Gradually accelerating to planing speed and then operating at minimum planing speed as much as possible.

• Avoiding "running dry" and both power- and "dry-loading" onto the trailer.

• Staying far away from residences and other people, especially at night.

• Keeping in mind that high propeller rpm generates much of the annoying sound from airboats, so everything an operator does to reduce prop speed helps to eliminate an airboat’s effect on others.

• Adhering to the principles contained in the Airboater's Code of Ethics.

The FWC enforcement protocol requires that all airboats operated in Florida utilize mufflers to reduce exhaust sound levels. 

“Muffler” means an automotive-style sound suppression device or system designed and installed to abate the sound of exhaust gasses emitted from an internal combustion engine and which prevents excessive or unusual noise.

The FWC will not specify which mufflers are to be used on airboats.  All airboat owners are encouraged to seek the quietest and most effective muffling device(s) for their particular vessel and engine combination.