The Destination Florida Commission was created to focus on enticing retirees and seniors to relocate to Florida.

     In the year 2000, I chose Central Florida as my retirement residence because it presented an image of serenity and an opportunity for a healthy lifestyle.  I was led to believe that the area would be suitable for the enjoyment of boating activities as well as other outdoor activities that were prescribed by my medical providers. For this reason, I purchased rural acreage that is (1) one mile from a river.

     For the past three years, my life has been so stressful and unhealthy that my medical providers requested that I either severely medicate myself or relocate to a safer environment in order to stay alive. 

     I have discovered that other senior citizens who have retired and relocated within 1 or 2 miles from any body of water in the state of Florida have been given the same advice.  Consequently, a large number of senior citizens have become “airboat refugees” and have relocated to other states-preferably North Carolina.

     The airboat is an aircraft that is attached to a boat hull. It defies and trashes the noise abatement section of The State Constitution and Florida Statute 327.65. The engines are now 700 to 1000 horsepower with no effective muffling device if any at all. The props consist of 8 to 10 carbon steel blades that rotate at mach speed followed by an extremely high pitched wail that tears a body in two. The horrendous, extremely low frequency-roar of the engine is thrust outward with great force reaching a distance of from 2 to 5 miles. According to DEP experts, the decibel level is usually 140 and much higher during power loading and fast starting.

     Air boaters belong to associations that meet on the river in groups of from 30 to 60 airboats at one time. They play poker run, have airboat parties and picnics, airboat shows, and other large group events on weekends and holidays.  Weekdays they practice for their racing events. Airboat noise is a daily event that can last for 8 or more hours nonstop. On weekends and holidays the events last from 14 to 18 hours nonstop.

     Enforcement agencies regard all statutes and ordinances regarding airboat noise as unenforceable and take no real action to address the problem when complaints are made. Senior citizens are informed by these agencies and all other government agencies including the governor’s office that the air boaters have rights and the senior citizens must, “Move if you don’t like it! ”. 

How healthy is this airboat noise?

     Consumers Reports 9/99, “ Noise activity with sound levels above 100dB A can pose a threat to hearing within 15 minutes.  Excessive noise endured for many hours raises blood pressure and stress related irritability and fatigue”.

     Quiet Communities Act of 2001, “ Noise from aircraft is a constant source of torment. Millions of Americans are exposed to noise levels that can lead to sleep loss, psychological and physiological damage”.

     Dr. Jack Wheaton,” low frequency vibrations can literally “scramble” internal organs and can cause extensive damage to the human body”.

     Dr Mitchell L. Gayner, Cancer Preventative Center, N.Y. “Disharmony and noise can make us stressed, depressed and pessimistic-which depress our immune systems and can eventually lead to serious illnesses and diseases”.

     As long as airboat activities continue with no real means of regulation, restriction or prohibition, Florida is neither safe nor healthy as a selection for retirement. DEP, EPA, Fish and Wildlife, Elder Affairs, medical professionals and the Governor’s Office have confirmed this by advising senior citizens who can not tolerate airboat noise to relocate. 

     I will make certain that no other retiree makes the same unwise and unhealthy decision that I made.  No other retiree should be informed by government agencies of Florida that they have to, “Move if you don’t like it! “ after deciding to relocate in Florida!!!!