Changing Scene

IMBC CANVASSES INDUSTRY FOR SEMINAR PROPOSALS AND PRESENTERS

The International Marina & Boatyard Conference (IMBC) has posted a “Call for Presenters” at its website, MarinaAssociation.org/IMBC. The deadline for submitting presentations is April 26, 2013.

The conference, produced by the Association of Marina Industries (AMI), is scheduled for January 29–31, 2014, at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Presentations should be designed for intermediate to advanced levels of experience without overt company or product promotions.

Read More IMBC CANVASSES INDUSTRY FOR SEMINAR PROPOSALS AND PRESENTERS
FORBES NAMES WEST MARINE ONE OF AMERICA’S 100 MOST TRUSTWORTHY COMPANIES

West Marine, the largest specialty retailer of boating supplies and accessories, has once again been named by Forbes magazine as one of “America’s 100 Most Trustworthy Companies.” According to Forbes reporter Jacquelyn Smith, the most “transparent and trustworthy businesses that trade on American exchanges” were selected by partnering with GMI Ratings (GMI), a global research firm that examines environmental, social, and accounting risks affecting public companies.

Read More FORBES NAMES WEST MARINE ONE OF AMERICA’S 100 MOST TRUSTWORTHY COMPANIES
MCMURDO NAMED SAFETY AND RESCUE PRODUCTS PARTNER FOR 2013 ATLANTIC CUP

McMurdo has signed on as the official Safety and Rescue Products Partner for the 2013 Atlantic Cup presented by 11th Hour Racing, the United States’ premier dedicated Class 40 sailing race. The 2013 race will kick off in Charleston, South Carolina on May 11.

The crews aboard the participating Class 40 yachts will be provided with McMurdo Fast Find 220 Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) to assure their safety on each of the offshore legs of the 2013 race.

Read More MCMURDO NAMED SAFETY AND RESCUE PRODUCTS PARTNER FOR 2013 ATLANTIC CUP
WALKER BAY OPENS A EUROPEAN WAREHOUSE FACILITY

To improve service in Europe Walker Bay is positioning stock of all product lines, replacement parts and accessories in a European Warehouse in Madrid Spain. This new warehouse location is in cooperation with long time Spanish Distributor Touron SSP. The stock is available to dealers and distributors as needed but customers will still be ordering direct from the North American factory for larger orders. This move will help to improve availability and service levels throughout the region.

Read More WALKER BAY OPENS A EUROPEAN WAREHOUSE FACILITY
NEW “KIRBY TORCH” REPLACES THE LASER – PRODUCTION TO COME TO CANADA

Bruce Kirby, a Canadian and the original designer of the Laser is launching the “Kirby Torch”.

The Laser sailboat is no longer in production in North America and Europe and because the Laser trademark is being held by the former builder, the boat’s name had to be changed in order for Bruce Kirby’s design to continue to be sold world-wide as a One Design class.

The newly-christened Kirby Torch has a very Canadian focus. The Laser started in Canada, quickly becoming an IYRU-recognized international class in 1974. Then in 1983, the original builder went bankrupt and rights to the design reverted to Bruce Kirby Inc.

Read More NEW “KIRBY TORCH” REPLACES THE LASER – PRODUCTION TO COME TO CANADA
SAFARILAND GROUP ACQUIRES MUSTANG SURVIVAL

The Safariland Group (the “Company”), a leading manufacturer of protective products and equipment primarily for law enforcement and the military, has acquired Mustang Survival and its related entities, Mustang Survival Inc. and Mustang Survival Mfg., Inc. (collectively, “Mustang Survival”).

Mustang Survival is the North American market leader in lifesaving equipment for recreational, military, law enforcement and industrial users in the marine and aviation environments. For more than 45 years, Mustang Survival has been transforming innovative ideas and technologies into high-quality and practical lifesaving products such as inflatable personal flotation devices, flotation clothing, dry suits, anti-g suits and a wide range of products to protect serious users in extreme environments.

Read More SAFARILAND GROUP ACQUIRES MUSTANG SURVIVAL
COASTAL CRAFT CONCORD 65 IN BUILD

Canadian builder Coastal Craft plans to add a 65-footer to its existing line of welded aluminum yachts in 2014.

The new Coastal Craft Concord 65 will be the biggest model the builder advertises, followed by 56-, 45- and 40-foot models. Gregory C. Marshall is the naval architect for the 65, whose deep-V hull will have a top speed of more than 30 knots. When the standard twin 900 hp Volvo 13L diesels with IPS3 pods are pulled back to a speed of 26 knots, the new design will have a range of 400 nautical miles.

Read More COASTAL CRAFT CONCORD 65 IN BUILD
MUSTANG SURVIVAL ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE SPONSORSHIP OF THE NASBLA BOAT PROGRAM’S OFFICER WATER SURVIVAL COURSE

Mustang Survival is pleased to announce a three year exclusive sponsorship program with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) Boat Operations And Training (BOAT) Program’s Officer Water Survival Course.

As part of the BOAT program’s Officer Water Survival course, maritime law enforcement officers will receive hands-on experience to prepare for survival in the water – either by an unexpected fall or during an altercation. As part of the sponsorship, students in the OWS course will be outfitted with Mustang Survival PFDs designed for the Public Safety and Law Enforcement category.

Read More MUSTANG SURVIVAL ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE SPONSORSHIP OF THE NASBLA BOAT PROGRAM’S OFFICER WATER SURVIVAL COURSE
SUPERSTORM SANDY UNINSURED LOSSES FOR NY AND NJ FISHING INDUSTRY ESTIMATED UP TO $198 MILLION

As part of their recent newsletter, the NMMA shared that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Fisheries Service released the results of its rapid appraisal effort on the impacts of Superstorm Sandy on the commercial and recreational fisheries of New Jersey and New York.
The assessment considered impacts and uninsured losses for the bait, for hire, dealer, harvester, marina, and processor sectors. Uninsured losses for the two states are estimated to range from $155 to $198 million, with the average insurance coverage in New York at 35% and in New Jersey at 24%, indicating that insurance coverage for the fisheries sectors in the region was insufficient. Five million dollars in fisheries relief funding was included in

Read More SUPERSTORM SANDY UNINSURED LOSSES FOR NY AND NJ FISHING INDUSTRY ESTIMATED UP TO $198 MILLION
MERCURY MARINE ANNOUNCES 21 NEW DEALERS TO ITS NETWORK

Mercury Marine announced the company has added 21 dealers to its North American dealer network during the month of March. The new additions span the continent and include five dealers in Canada and sixteen in the United States.

Four of the new Canadian Mercury dealers are:

Read More MERCURY MARINE ANNOUNCES 21 NEW DEALERS TO ITS NETWORK
SKYLINE MARINA SHOWS NEW MERIDIAN YACHTS AT OPEN HOUSE

Skyline Marina has announced that they will be showing new Meridian Yacht models at their Open House event on April 13th, 2013. The models on display will be the Meridian 341 and Meridian 391 Sedan Bridge, as well as a Meridian 441 Sedan Bridge.

Skyline Marina also has a 541 Sedan Bridge model arriving later in May of 2013. In addition, there will be new 2013 and redesigned Sea Ray models on display including the Sea Ray 210 and 230 Select models, the 370 Sundancer, Sea Ray 370 Venture (Named Boating Magazine’s “Boat of the Year”), Sea Ray 410 Sundancer and 510 Sundancer.

Read More SKYLINE MARINA SHOWS NEW MERIDIAN YACHTS AT OPEN HOUSE
OCEAN CRUISING CLUB ANNOUNCES TWO 2013 OPENINGS IN YOUTH BLUE WATER CRUISING PROGRAMME

The Ocean Cruising Club (OCC) has introduced a bursary (scholarship or grant) programme, the aim of which is to foster the development of ocean cruising by enabling young people to gain experience of long distance sailing. The bursary will facilitate the introduction of youngsters to experienced sailors and contribute towards the costs of the voyage.

For 2013, two highly qualified members of OCC have volunteered their time and berths on their vessels for the programme. The OCC has commensurately committed a budget for two young sailors of any nationality between the ages of 18 and 25 to help defray the costs of participation.

Read More OCEAN CRUISING CLUB ANNOUNCES TWO 2013 OPENINGS IN YOUTH BLUE WATER CRUISING PROGRAMME
BOAT US FOUNDATION WANTS MORE BUTTS OUT OF THE WATER

Here is an idea Canadian marinas and yacht clubs could pick up and benefit from. It's the BoatUS 2013 Cigarette Litter Prevention Program and the goal is to achieve a 50% average reduction in cigarette litter.

In the latest message to their members, BoatUS said, boaters are keeping their butts out of the water – and we’re not talking about the kind in swim trunks. In just the past four years the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has helped nearly 200 marinas around the country tackle the problem of cigarette litter, and it is now looking for more marinas to join its 2013 Cigarette Litter Prevention Program. Marinas in the U.S.

Read More BOAT US FOUNDATION WANTS MORE BUTTS OUT OF THE WATER
TRUE NORTH YACHTS WELCOMES BRYN PERRY

True North Yachts is delighted to welcome Bryn Perry aboard as a Sales Consultant. Originally from the UK, Bryn has been sailing for over 15 years. He is Senior Sailing Instructor with the RYA and has Raced 420’s at a national level as part of a keel boat match racing team whilst in school. Before moving to Canada in 2010 he worked for Sealine Motor Yachts in the UK and spent two years working on the Hamble River, recognized as the home of British Yachting, for the Harbour Masters Authority. Bryn was also lucky enough spend a summer teaching sailing in Sardinia.

Read More TRUE NORTH YACHTS WELCOMES BRYN PERRY
TIM BELL NAMED EXPORT SALES MANAGER FOR SEAGUARD

Tim Bell has been named export sales manager for Seaguard Italanodi S.r.l., a marine anode manufacturer and now master distributor for Canada Metal (Pacific) Ltd. Bell's new responsibilities are in addition to his existing role as sales and marketing manager Europe for Octopus Products autopilot drives, which CMP manufactures.

Seaguard Italanodi, established in 1972, specializes in cathodic protection systems and related products such as anodes. As the master distributor for CMP it can now also offer Martyr anodes, Titan chain and accessories, and Rocna anchors. "I see great potential to build sales in Europe for this

Read More TIM BELL NAMED EXPORT SALES MANAGER FOR SEAGUARD
BOAT BUILDERS AND CONFERENCE GOERS MAY BE INTERESTED TO ATTEND THE RENEWABLE ENERGY CONFERENCE

The 2013 Renewable Energy Conference takes place on April 16 and 17 at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax, NS.

Storage is the theme of this year's conference featuring eight sessions and three keynote speeches. In addition to the agenda sessions, delegates have the opportunity to visit the exhibit showcases situated in the conference's Market Café, a café style refreshment area. It offers delegates the opportunity to view the latest in products and services from exhibiting sponsors in a "Business to Business" networking atmosphere.

Read More BOAT BUILDERS AND CONFERENCE GOERS MAY BE INTERESTED TO ATTEND THE RENEWABLE ENERGY CONFERENCE
NEW NANO “FOUL RELEASE COATINGS” LAST UP TO 20 YEARS!

Two different nano coatings, that work on a molecular level, and are effective for up to 20 years, for fiberglass, metal, aluminum , wooden boats and sound painted surfaces are now available in Canada.

These clear Natural Marine “ Nano Foul Release” coatings, applied in minutes to almost any surface, will help keep boat hulls cleanable in both salt and fresh water environments. Clean hulls as required with deck brush or sponge.

Read More NEW NANO “FOUL RELEASE COATINGS” LAST UP TO 20 YEARS!
SMARTPLUG GAINS GSA APPROVAL

SmartPlug has announced that their products are now available across the U.S. through the GSA Advantage website, www.gsaadvantage.gov.

The GSA Advantage program enables over 200 agencies, including local, state and federal governments to easily purchase SmartPlug products. The GSA, founded in 1949, serves as a centralized delivery system of services and products to the government. With GSA Advantage, buyers have instant access to high quality products, services, and solutions from approved commercial vendors.

Read More SMARTPLUG GAINS GSA APPROVAL
ROYAL CANADIAN YACHT CLUB DEFENDS NEWPORT INVITATIONAL CUP

International Corinthian Competition Returns to Newport. From the first edition in 2009, the resounding success of the New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup presented by Rolex reignited the tradition of international Corinthian competition between yacht clubs. The biennial event – returning to Newport from September 7-14, 2013 – fuses five days of intense racing with a glamorous social schedule to deliver an unrivaled event for competitors from around the globe.

Read More ROYAL CANADIAN YACHT CLUB DEFENDS NEWPORT INVITATIONAL CUP
OPPOSITION TO E15 – NMMA & ENGINE PRODUCTS GROUP FILES PETITION ASKING U.S. SUPREME COURT TO REVIEW DECISION ON LACK OF STANDING

On March 25, 2013 the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) as a part of The Engine Products Group, comprising the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (Alliance), The Association of Global Automakers, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute and the National Marine Manufacturers Association; filed a petition for certiorari asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review the DC Circuit Court of Appeals’ August 2012 decision that none of the trade associations or parties had standing in the case.

The group is challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to

Read More OPPOSITION TO E15 – NMMA & ENGINE PRODUCTS GROUP FILES PETITION ASKING U.S. SUPREME COURT TO REVIEW DECISION ON LACK OF STANDING

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