The International Jet Sports Boating Association is releasing the interim best practices policy for the prevention of invasive species at IJSBA sanctioned races in the United States of America. The following best practices should be observed immediately. These practices are expected to evolve but are necessary to being to be implemented were prevention of contamination of waterways are being mandated now and some permitting authorities are expecting that permitted events are to be as compliant as possible.
All participant watercraft should be completely dry inside and out on the initial entry to an event site. Participants should fully inspect all watercraft that will be used in the event. All residue, moss, weeds, sand/silt/dirt, parasitic attachments, and any other flora and fauna must be completely removed from both the inside and outside of the watercraft. Drain plugs must be open prior to arrival and no signs of moisture or residue should be visible. Likewise, trailers and/or totes that will be used to launch watercraft must be completely dry and free of any parasitic attachment. In the alternative of a dry watercraft, participants may present to the race officials a video, time stamped within the last 24 hours, showing a thorough and complete decontamination of the inside and outside of each watercraft that is being used for participation that cannot otherwise be presented as completely dry. Once an event tech sticker is applied, participant watercraft shall be seemed eligible to enter the waterway. This process should be repeated at each event.
It is a privilege to be invited to use waterways for our sport. IJSBA competitors are expected to be good ambassadors for the sport of PWC Racing and good stewards of the waterways where we race. These best practices are temporary and are expected to expand into further oversite and preventative measures. Organizers are highly advised to source decontamination equipment. In most cases, a heated pressure sprayer system with tarping to prevent run off into the waterway will be sufficient to be compliant with invasive species prevention. Organizers should contact the lead regulatory agency where each event is taking place and present this interim best practices policy and inquire as to any additional measures that may be required.
This is a temporary guide. Please send any questions or comments about this best practices policy to IJSBA by emailing info@ijsba.com.
