Earth Day is the ideal opportunity for South Floridians to recommit to the urgency of preserving our beautiful but fragile environment. April’s mild temperatures signal the annual start of manatee mating season, sea turtle nesting and other miracles of nature for which we South Floridians have a front-row seat. It is our responsibility to set the stage for them to thrive for generations to come.
Undoing the consequences of past environmental damage is a daunting task but not an impossible one. Among its many facets are improving our navigable water quality, creating infrastructure pathways for eco-friendly boating, protecting the marine life that co-exists with us, and taking steps to clean up and prevent marine debris.
We can all do our part for the environment, but because of their sheer scale, businesses often have more responsibility than individuals. For example, all Water Taxi boats have been equipped with stringent EPA Tier 3 engines that use ultra-low sulfur diesel to lower emissions. We regularly clean fuel, oil and air filters, as well as sea strainers, to ensure efficient engine operation. We maintain the bottoms of our boats to reduce fuel usage and strictly comply with Coast Guard bilge water discharge standards on sewage handling. Sewage discharge is not allowed in our waterways, and all Water Taxis are pumped out.
Someone obsessed with the short-term bottom line might see that as a major cost, but the return on our sustainability commitments is priceless and makes sound business sense. We measure their value to our business in terms of our reputation, customer loyalty, access to capital, risk mitigation, employee engagement, cost savings and other benefits that enhance our brand, support our bottom line and protect the waterways.
On land, Water Taxi’s vessels take hundreds of cars off the road at events like the Tortuga Music Festival and the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, thus reducing the boat show’s carbon footprint. Last year, we burned about .017 gallons per person during the boat show, which equates to approximately only one gallon of fuel to move 60 people one way.
Various organizations have initiatives underway to clean up and preserve our waterways. Scheduled to be updated in 2025, Florida’s Marine Debris Reduction Plan is designed to reduce abandoned vessels, clean up and reduce derelict fishing gear, increase our capacity to respond to emergency-generated debris such as hurricane debris, increase community involvement and improve our natural resource management.
Greater Fort Lauderdale has the opportunity to join other cities that are investing in electric and even solar boating. These powerful, lightweight, efficient alternatives are not only good for the environment, they create high-tech maritime jobs with transferable skill sets to electric automotive and aerospace industries.
For nearly 20 years, I have been welcoming visitors and locals aboard the Water Taxi for a delightful boating experience as well as a convenient mobility connection. Beyond shopping, dining or mansion-spotting, passengers tell me what makes the experience of boating on the Intracoastal Waterway amid the cosmopolitan splendor of Greater Fort Lauderdale truly memorable is the simple pleasure of catching a glimpse of a tarpon, a pelican or even a loveable manatee. It is an experience that’s as awesome each time as it was the first time.
There is something magical about experiencing Fort Lauderdale from the water that can’t be duplicated on land. It is up to us to preserve the joy it brings us — today and for generations to come.
Bill Walker is CEO of Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi and recently was named 2024 Downtowner of the Year by the Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce in recognition of his commitment to improving public spaces and connecting our community through its waterways.
