Vessel Request for Paddling Center

Safety is our Primary Concern

 

By Jared Eudell

If you visited our field station at Laurel Hill County Park during the 2004 program season you may have noticed a Honda AquaTrax F-12 sitting in our canoe enclosure.  The AquaTrax is a technologically advanced personal watercraft (PWC) that was leased to Hackensack Riverkeeper by Honda Motor Corporation, an arrangement brokered by the Waterkeeper Alliance.

This PWC was an offer we couldn’t refuse. Not only was it a bargain, $1 for 1 year, but it was equipped with a four-stroke engine. Four-strokes are far superior to traditional two-strokes because they are quieter, more efficient and produce only 20% of the emissions of their old-tech cousins.

Each staff operator of the vessel completed a US Coast Guard-approved safe-boating course, logged numerous training hours, and practiced several rescue maneuvers before the season began.  Over the course of the season, the powerful little PWC was used, not only to assist boaters whose motors conked out on them, but for rescuing paddlers whose muscles had let them down.  It was also used as a safety vessel during Hooked on the Hudson, Hackensack Riverfest and many other river events.

In addition to serving as a safety vessel, its speed, size and minimal draft (depth in water) allowed us to take it beyond the reach of our other boats so that we could patrol the outskirts of the river for pollution.  Due to these expanded capabilities, we consented to a request from the Secaucus Fire Department to operate it when they had a water-related emergency.

The AquaTrax replaced an old 16-ft boat with an antiquated outboard motor. However, the lease on the AquaTrax has expired and the outboard motor is approaching the end of its reliability. We are committed to replacing the PWC and/or the outboard motor before the 2005 season opens and we are requesting your help in locating suitable replacements.

If you know of a good deal on a new or gently used PWC or 10-25 horse-power, four-stroke motor, please contact me at 201-968-0808 or jared@hackensackriverkeeper.org.