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Mustang Survival, along with key marine industry partners, took part in the third annual National Ready, Set, Wear It! Event on Saturday May 19, 2012. Participants in cities around the world gathered to set another world record for the most personal flotation devices (PFDs) and lifejackets worn or inflated in one day.

The goal of this year’s event was not only to surpass the 1,685 entrants from last year but also to promote the comfortable and versatile PFD and lifejacket options available.

This Saturday, visitor’s are welcome to meet the Greatest Loop Crew for an “Afternoon of Elegance” Cocktail Party with John Armstrong from Canadian Yachting Magazine at the Port Credit Yacht Club, from 3.30 pm till 8.00 pm on Saturday, May 26th.

Just a week ago on Tuesday, May 15th, Beneteau’s Swift Trawler 34 #202 left the Annapolis city dock to begin her 4-month journey on the Great Loop.

Naval Architect Stephen Leake launches a new style of houseboat -the Esposa 15-5.

There was a time when savvy consumers recognized the value of being able to live and vacation on the water comfortably yet be mobile. Boaters chose the ubiquitous North American houseboat style. Many of those offered thirty years ago are no longer in production. Those that remain are tired, shabby and require considerable investment to restore to modern requirements.

Marine industry veteran Jim Bronstien will host and facilitate IMI’s 6th Annual Southeast Florida Marina Study Tour, October 23–24, 2012. The Tour is produced by the International Marina Institute (IMI), a subsidiary of the Association of Marina Industries (AMI).

“We’re fortunate to get such an authority for our study tour,” Jim Frye, CMM, president of AMI says. “Jim is a 20-year veteran of the marine industry in South Florida and brings with him a vast collection of knowledge about the industry from the perspective of a marina owner, a boatbuilder, and a developer.”

The International Marina & Boatyard Conference (IMBC) has posted a brochure with exhibitor, sponsorship, and advertising opportunities for the 2013 show to its website: marinaassociation.org/imbc. Produced by the Association of Marina Industries (AMI), IMBC is scheduled for January 31–February 1 at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

The brochure combines all commercial and vendor opportunities into one inclusive document that provides attendee demographics and the benefits of participating along with exhibitor, sponsorship and advertising openings, and contracts.

Canadian rep firm Agence CK has added the Schmitt line of steering wheels and related accessories to its current offerings of Schmitt & Ongaro products.  Agence CK now serves as the company's exclusive rep for Eastern Canada and the Maritimes.  Timothy Schmitt, president of Schmitt & Ongaro Marine Products, made the announcement.

Agence CK's history with Ongaro products extends back over a decade, before Ongaro was acquired by Schmitt.  "Agence CK has a proven track record with our company.  We look forward to the new opportunities they'll present with their additional responsibilities," said Schmitt.

Ken Blodgett and his wife Pam McLaughlin-Blodgett have been running Canadian Yacht charters for the past 20 years, pictured here are Ken and Pam just prior to a surprise Birthday Party that Pam organized for her Husband last Saturday night, upwards of 30 friends and clients attended a sit down dinner at the School House restaurant in Providence Bay in honour of Ken.   

Now celebrating its 22nd year, the Port Credit In-Water Boat Show continues to attract an ever increasing enthusiastic audience of seasoned and novice boaters. 

Hosted at Port Credit Harbour Marina in Mississauga, ON, the Port Credit In-Water Boat Show is strategically located in the heart of Lake Ontario boat country.  The show is within 2 hours of South Western Ontario; Muskoka; Georgian Bay and the South Eastern Ontario, the Port Credit In-Water Boat Show is easily accessible by highway; public transit and water.

GE Capital's Commercial Distribution Finance (CDF) business has been selected by Groupe Beneteau, the North American business of France's Groupe Beneteau as a preferred provider of floorplan financing for its retail dealerships.

Approved Beneteau dealers in the U.S. and Canada are eligible for vendor-subsidized interest support on specific brands as well as preferred program terms for their wholesale purchases. Those brands are Beneteau, Jeanneau, Lagoon, Prestige and Monte Carlo Yachts.

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is accepting nominations and applications for its Young Leaders Advisory Council.

The MRAA created YLAC as an advisory group to represent the needs and the thinking of the next generation of marine retailers and to provide additional insight and direction to the MRAA Board of Directors. The council’s creation was based on a desire to help develop future leaders to aid in the progress and growth of the boating industry.

It shouldn't take National Safe Boating Awareness Week (May 19-25) to remind us that life jackets are important, even for man's best friend. But no matter if you have a water dog or a lap dog, the life jacket has to be right-sized – so how will you know it fits?

We thank the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety that has released "Foundation Findings #52," the latest boating safety equipment product testing series now chronicled in the June/July 2012 BoatUS Magazine, "It's a Dog's Life (Jacket)."

Doing its part to support those in need of aid, SmartPlug recently made a donation to International Rescue Group.  The company gave this non-profit organization shore power cables and inlets.

"International Rescue Group is a great group of people who are working hard to help others," said Aaron Bronson, SmartPlug sales rep.  "This group helps survivors all over the world and we're proud to help further this cause."

Skyline Marina’s Aquapalooza 2012 event is fast approaching. On Saturday July 21, 2012, from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM, everyone is invited to join the Skyline Marina Team for an ON-WATER PARTY at Papoose Bay, located on the southern end of Beausoleil Island, Georgian Bay. Water Access Only Coordinates 44.847563N 79.858332W.

Aquapalooza is an invitation to ALL boaters and promises to be a fun-filled family day on the water with water activities for the kids and fantastic prize giveaways. This year’s entertainment will be “NORTHERN HARBOUR AND ROCKY THE DJ” – keep watch on the Skyline Marina events calendar on their website.

The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) is pleased to announce its much anticipated ‘2nd International Hybrid Marine Propulsion Conference’ to be held immediately preceding the Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS) on Monday 12 November 2012 at the Amsterdam RAI.

Following the resounding success of last year’s conference, described by Theo Lingmont, Director International Exhibitions, Amsterdam RAI, as an “invaluable insight into the perfect marriage of innovative technology and environmental benefit”,

After 34 years at The Store, Lori Mason is retiring. Her deal to sell The Store is complete and her last days will be Friday May 18 from 10am-4pm and Saturday May 19 from 10am-4pm. We would like to invite you to come by The Store on those days to say goodbye, sign a book and give Lori a lasting memory of all those who were so much a part of her life.

An active and respected member of the Canadian Marine Industry, she was the recipient of the CASBA Award for Top Individual Dedicated to Safe Boating for her many safety seminars in 2000;

Richard Bee, Chief Commander of the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons has announced the launch of the association’s search for the recruitment of their new Executive Director. CPS has engaged Knightsbridge Executive Search to ensure a national and transparent search to find the best candidate possible. In a recent letter to the communications officers in CPS / ECP Squadrons across Canada,

BRP begins a program to test butanol-extended fuel in a variety of recreational marine engines for Argonne National Laboratory, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office. Butanol-extended fuel will be tested as an alternative to gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol (E15).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted a waiver allowing up to 15 percent ethanol in gasoline. According to industry test data published last October, E15 can cause significant damage to marine engines.

ASA Electronics, manufacturer of the industry leading Jensen brand announced they have purchased the assets of Marine Audio Engineering and Sales.  For the past 35 years, ASA has been dedicated to providing premium, high quality JENSEN products to the industry and this acquisition will diversify ASA’s portfolio allowing them to add additional outdoor electronics to their line-up.

Marine Audio, a St. Louis, Missouri based company, has been an established leader in the audio entertainment industry for many years and is regarded as one of the leading suppliers of environmentally engineered outdoor entertainment systems.

Almost everyone has been touched by cancer at some time – perhaps it was you or one of your family members. The Marine industry is almost like a family; small enough that many of us know most of the other players.

Darlene Ballantyne, the Purchasing Manager from Stright-Mackay in Nova Scotia has reached out requesting support for one of her team members, Shirley LeGresley. Shirley has been a good friend and a great asset to the marine industry and she is participating in the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.