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We recently learned about a legislation change that could have a significant impact on the number of superyachts traveling through the Great Lakes. Now, non-Canadian vessels over 35 metres (115 feet) going into the Canadian Great Lakes will be required to have a pilot aboard.
 
We want to know; does your business benefit from superyacht visitors?
 
We first learned of this when Brian Donovan of Premier Marine Services, Halifax,

Vancouver-based Xantrex Technology USA Inc., is supporting ILCHASE, a firm that supplies data on weather storms to government agencies, universities and major television networks, in an ongoing weather research initiative. The ILCHASE team includes Engineers, Programmers, Technicians and Meteorologists who conduct informational programs on weather storms, storm chasing and spotter training with the National Weather Service. Their work is featured in children’s geography specials for National Geographic, Storm Stories for the Weather Channel, and the TLC show, Beyond Tough.

ILCHASE has designed and built a mobile command vehicle called MOOCH (Mobile Observation Operations Command Housing) to help ILCHASE and other emergency management companies in a stricken area.

BC-based WestWinn Group, builders of Harbercraft all-welded aluminum boats has announced the appointment of its new Director of Product Development, Neil Gilbert.

“Neil Gilbert brings an extensive amount of experience in boat design, business development and project leadership. This addition to our senior management team has been made to develop key territories. Mr. Neil Gilbert’s experience and enthusiasm will enable us to expand in new markets,” explains Byron Bolton, CEO.

Rec Boat Holdings announces the appointment of marine industry veteran, Julie Johnson, as Director of Marketing for the company.  Johnson will oversee the global marketing and public relations activities for the three brands of Rec Boat Holdings group – Glastron, Four Winns and Wellcraft boats.

Johnson comes to Rec Boat Holdings after serving in several marketing, communications and public relations roles during her 18-year career with BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products), primarily on their personal watercraft, boats and outboard engine businesses.  Prior to BRP, Julie served in various marketing positions at Wellcraft Marine. 

Hubbell Marine Electrical Products has again been awarded the contract as the exclusive supplier of shore power products for the American Boatbuilders Association (ABA).  The contract will be in force for three years.

“We are honored that ABA recognizes the reliability of our comprehensive line of marine electrical components,” said Joe DiMaria, Director of Marine & Wirecon Marketing & Sales for Hubbell.  “Boatbuilders appreciate that we remain dedicated to developing and manufacturing quality, innovative products.”

Canadian Rep Service is proud to announce the opening of their new location in Orillia, Ontario at 89 Colborne St. The new location is in a century-old heritage building in the heart of Ontario’s most popular cottage and boating country.

Company Representative Dave Burgess was quoted as saying that, “We will be concentrating on delivering attentive and on-going dealer and distributor support for a growing family of fine product lines that includes Boss Audio, the Captain Phab line of environmental cleaning and boat care products and the innovative products from Ganz Solar.

Navionics, specialists in electronic navigation charts for dedicated chart plotters and mobile devices, is partnering with Rapala lures to provide a winning combination for anglers worldwide.  

Rapala will keep anglers updated on their newest products and events by using the Navionics mobile application as a location based communication tool. Navionics mobile is a must have for anglers to help find that perfect fishing spot. “The Navionics App allows anglers to view over 17,000 lakes and the entire coastal region of the US and Canada on their iPhone or Android smart phone” says Don Black, Global VP Sales and Marketing for Navionics. “Navionics mobile combined with product information from Rapala creates an unbeatable combination for the serious angler”.

CDI Electronics, manufacturer of quality marine ignition components, welcomes Ali Rauch to its Marketing and Sales Team.  Ms. Rauch brings a vast knowledge of marketing and public relations practices to the CDI design and manufacturing operation in Madison, Alabama.

“We are very excited to welcome Ali to our CDI team,” explained Thomas James, Sales and Marketing Manager for CDI Electronics. “Ali’s marketing and design skill set will assist CDI in developing new and improved materials that convey the products and services CDI provides for the marine industry.”

In an important strategic move meant to further enhance its position as a marine products and accessories leader and strengthen customer service, Unified Marine, Inc. has named Cindy Henninger Senior Vice President of Marketing & Sales. She will report directly to Unified Marine CEO, David Nirenberg.

Cindy will oversee all facets of marketing of Unified Marine and its SeaSense brand. Additionally, she will be responsible for improving Unified Marine’s customer service area in anticipation of an expected increase in interest in SeaSense products following the company’s introduction in June of the industry’s first Limited Lifetime Warranty program.

Following a successful trade development trip to the Far East, Campion Marine from Kelowna, BC has broadened its global network with a new distributor in northern China.

Canada’s largest fiberglass boat builder celebrated as their first load of Campion boats were loaded aboard a ship in Vancouver harbour. 

“It’s a historic moment for Campion,” said Campion Marine’s General Manager, Brock Elliott.

Boating Industry Canada has learned that Sandy Cove Marine in Innisfil, Ontario, is in receivership. A court-appointed receiver from Grant Thornton Ltd has been appointed to sell of the dealership’s inventory.

The Barrie Advocate newspaper reported that Scott Dallimore, whose father owns the business said that the dealership’s major lender GE Capital Canada Finance Inc, demanded repayment of loans last March. “They wanted C$5.5 million by August and that just wasn’t going to happen,” Dallimore said.

To better serve its industrial shrink wrap customers in Canada, international premium shrink wrap supplier Dr. Shrink has chosen to work with C.C. Marine.  C.C. Marine will stock a large variety of thick mil, wide-width shrink wrap and work to promote shrink wrap and accessories in the industrial, construction, agriculture and wind energy markets.

“C.C. Marine has a strong presence in Canada and we’re glad to be working with them,” said Dr. Shrink president Mike Stenberg.  “We’re looking forward to expanding our horizons in Canada by supplying our products to even more customers and in even more industries.”

Recognizing the July 4th and Canada Day weekend as the busiest and most celebratory weekend of the summer boating season, Sea Tow is reminding people to boat responsibly. In addition to reviewing pre-departure checklists, filing float plans, fueling up, and reviewing safety procedures with guests, people who consume alcohol while boating are encouraged to do so in moderation and to always designate a sober skipper.

In an effort to get this message into the hands of boaters, Sea Tow captains across America will be handing out 30,000 koozies – foam can insulators – to boaters during the holiday weekend. The koozies are emblazoned with the message: “Booze and Boats don’t mix. Designate a Sober Skipper.” Sea Tow captains will distribute koozies between Friday, July 1 and Monday, July 4 as their schedules allow.

Raymarine has announced the acquisition of Tacktick from Suunto, a leading manufacturer of sports precision instruments. Tacktick, formed in 1996 and based in Havant, Hampshire UK, develops and manufactures wireless, solar powered instruments for the marine market.

This development presents an exciting opportunity for Raymarine and Tacktick in the global sailboat market.  Currently available through the usual channels, Tacktick equipment complements the Raymarine product range and will eventually be distributed as a product line through Raymarine subsidiaries, distributors and service dealers worldwide.  Tacktick customers will also reap the benefit of Raymarine’s superior marine service network. 

Ottawa Tourism has launched a fresh new consumer advertising campaign targeting Toronto and Montreal with TV, radio and subway ads that dispel the myth that the Capital is a sleepy town where not much happens.

The key messages of the campaign: We don’t roll up our sidewalks at 5 o’clock; Not all of our parties are political; and – thanks to the free Mosaika Sound & Light Show – Parliament Hill is even more entertaining after the politicians have left for the day.

“We wanted to send a signal to our key markets that while they know Ottawa for its national sites, great museums and natural beauty,

Boaters have blown away another world record for inflatable lifejacket wear.  On May 21st, 2011 the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC), in partnership with the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) set an unprecedented “Inflatable Lifejacket World Record” with SmartBoater.ca`s “Ready, Set, Inflate!” event.  Through a coordinated effort across North America, England, Brazil, Japan and Australia an estimated 1,685 participants gathered at more than 99 events held around the world and inflated their lifejackets or wore their inherently buoyant lifejackets to break last year’s record.  This second annual event ushered in North American Safe Boating Awareness Week which ran May 21 – 27, 2011.

The previous world record was set during last year’s “Ready, Set, Inflate!” event, which tallied 1,154 participants.

Recognized for its innovation and growth, SmartPlug Systems has won the Emerging Manufacturer of the Year award.  Part of the second annual Washington Manufacturing Awards, winners were chosen from dozens of nominations by judges convened by Seattle Business magazine.  The awards were recently presented at a dinner with 230 fellow manufacturers present.

“We are so honored to have been selected from approximately 150 entries,” said Ken Smith, founder of SmartPlug.  “We have worked hard to revolutionize shore power systems and we’re very grateful to be recognized for our achievements.

The first-ever Hagerty Classic Marine Hobby Survey was recently completed by classic boat owners representing over 3,000 vintage vessels with a combined value of more than $94 million.  The questionnaire was developed to discover what owners enjoy most about the classic boating lifestyle, as well as what concerns, motivates and keeps them on board. 

“This study proves that classic boat owners are an energetic and enthusiastic group with a true passion for the hobby,” said Carla Gernhofer, Vice President of Hagerty Marine.

The “Power Boating Academy” introduces for Ontario marine dealers, the “Customer Driving Certification Program”.

Dealers can now reduce liability and increase their customer’s boating enjoyment, through a certified customer driver training program. Every dealer wants to know that his customers have the ability to drive a boat properly and safely. There may be a new boater who lacks experience, or the customer could be an old boating pro that simply wants to upgrade techniques. Whatever your customer’s situation, a fun filled Power Boating Academy course is something that benefits everyone.