Steve Westrick
Westport Charterboat Association
P.O. Box 654
Westport, WA 98595
Office of Technical and Information Services
Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
1331 F Street NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20004-1111
Dear Compliance Board,
My name is Steve Westrick and I am president of the Westport Charterboat Association in Westport, Washington. We have thirty-two members with vessels ranging in size to sixty-five feet with our average about forty-eight feet. I grew up in our family charter fishing business, started in 1962, and presently continue with an updated version of the business with my own family.
You probably will receive many letters on this very delicate subject so I will make my comments brief. First, I am in complete agreement with a letter you received from our Association's Executive Director, Mark Cedergreen. His letter was dated February 17, 2005 and covers many of my concerns. You also have a letter from the National Association of Charterboat Operators (NACO), which I also support.
On a personal note, I would really like to convey the fact that we already accommodate folks with disabilities as much as possible, and, in my years of operation we have had no problems or issues with this matter. We treat disabled people with respect and dignity just like all the other people we cater to. I honestly don't think the modification of my vessel will accomplish more than I am trying to provide to the public right now. That is another reason why I support the exemption of small passenger vessels from the mandatory ADA compliance.
Sincerely,
Steve Westrick
Owner of Charterboat Hula Girl and
President of Westport Charterboat Association