Political decision causes a stir within the industry - MarineBusinessWorld North America newsletter
by Peter Rendle 14 Mar 2024 13:00 PDT
Advocacy Alert © National Marine Manufacturers Association
This week, the NMMA expressed disappointment with the decision by the Department of Commerce to advance the North Atlantic right whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule to the Office of Management and Budget. Proposed by NOAA, the rule would restrict small boats to 10 knots (roughly 11 mph) along much of the Eastern Seaboard for multiple months out of the year, which will significantly hurt U.S. coastal economies and the small businesses that make up the recreational boating industry.
This rule could put more than 810,000 American jobs and nearly $230 billion in economic contributions in jeopardy. More than 95 percent of boats sold in the U.S. are made in the U.S. and approximately 93 percent of boat manufacturers are small business owners. Many coastal economies are built on recreational boating, fishing trips, and the hospitality industry that require access to the ocean, and this rule would create ripple effects throughout these economies.
Without marine career opportunity seminars, the industry would be in strife at a future stage. We commend the Northwest Maritime Center for their initiative. They are all about connecting people to opportunities on the water. That's why they are excited to invite you to their Maritime Career Fair on March 16 at Port Townsend. This event is designed to help students and families learn more about opportunities in the maritime world.
Recognition of employee's achievements is paramount and The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC)'s third annual International Marine Service Technician Week is scheduled for April 22-26. The week is dedicated to recognizing the exceptional skills and commitment of marine service professionals. Throughout the week, ABYC plans to spotlight technicians and organizations on social media, conduct daily technical challenges with prize rewards and provide online educational opportunities.
Additionally, ABYC will present the "Outstanding Technician Awards," accepting nominations for five winners to receive VISA gift cards and other prizes.
Environment updates: In an historic move towards a cleaner, greener future for electric marine transportation, the International Electric Marine Association (IEMA) proudly announces the unanimous signing of a groundbreaking Manifesto by nine leading national electric marine associations from around the world.
Time is running out to take advantage of the once-a-year West Coast-based Clean & Resilient Marina Professional training. Register this week for the course to be held April 17-19 at Moose Landing Marina in Naples, Maine. Attract eco-conscious customers, appease regulators, and know you are helping preserve our environment for the next generation.
More good news from a boat show: The 2024 Discover Boating Atlantic City Boat Show®, in partnership with Progressive Insurance®, ended its run last Sunday, attracting more than 35,000 attendees to the Atlantic City Convention Center. Winter boat sales momentum continued through the show with reports of steady sales and leads heading into spring.
"This has been a great show for us. We've met with a lot of interested attendees, customers, and real anglers here," said Briana Knight, Onslow Bay Boatworks. "We're so glad we chose Atlantic City as one of the first shows to exhibit in the area - looking forward to next year!"
Women are now an integral part of the industry's workforce and The Manufacturing Institute, the workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers announced that Brunswick Corporation's Strategic Sourcing Manager, Andrea Shen has been recognized as a 2024 Women MAKE Awards Honoree. This annual national awards program honors women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their careers and represent all levels of the manufacturing industry, from the factory floor to the C-suite.
"It is an honor to be selected by the Manufacturing Institute for this year's Women MAKE awards," said Shen. "This recognition not only highlights the industry's commitment to diversifying the workplace through celebrating women in leadership, but also recognizes the contributions of supply chain. It makes all those tough negotiations more gratifying!"
For sailors, the worlds' leading conference dedicated to the sport of sailing is delighted to announce the official launch of its 14th edition. The event will take place alongside METSTRADE and will gather the finest minds and talents in the yachting industry for three days of intense discussions, networking opportunities and strategic collaborations. Mark your calendars for November 20-22 as the Yacht Racing Forum 2024 prepares to make waves in Amsterdam, alongside the METSTRADE fair.
The 14th edition of the event will once again serve as a pivotal platform for industry professionals to explore and discuss the latest trends, innovations and challenges shaping the world of yacht racing, offering unparalleled networking and business opportunities.
With such a wide spectrum of marine industry categories across the whole of North America we are always interested to hear from our readers about what they regard as "Marine Industry News". If you have any pet subjects or would like to see specific aspects of our industry's achievements, drop me a line at the email address below.
Keep smiling,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@worldmarine.media