Advocacy event to discuss issues affecting industry - MarineBusinessWorld North America newsletter
by Peter Rendle 17 Apr 2024 12:00 PDT
The American Boating Congress (ABC) © National Marine Manufacturers Association
The recreational boating industry is preparing for its highly anticipated annual advocacy event, the American Boating Congress (ABC), taking place May 8-10 in Washington, D.C., where leaders from all segments of the recreational boating and fishing industry are invited to address pressing matters that impact the industry.
The three-day event will provide attendees with a unique opportunity to engage in crucial discussions with influential members of Congress and staff on Capitol Hill. From meetings with lawmakers to informative policy updates, networking opportunities, receptions, and a special keynote dinner, the event promises to equip industry leaders with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the ever-changing landscape.
At a recent annual meeting with the Recreational Boating Association of Washington's counterpart in BC, the Council of BC Yacht Clubs, representatives confirmed that many BC marinas require proof of $2 million liability insurance coverage for transient boaters wishing to tie up. Some marinas are considering raising that limit to $3 million in 2025.
Although this is not an entirely new concept in BC, there are personal stories of being refused mooring if a visiting yacht cannot provide documentation showing their coverage meets the increased liability requirement.
Since most marine insurance policies written on Washington vessels have a $300,000 to $500,000 liability limit, this suggests that many cruisers intending to cruise North increase limits to $3 million or obtain an "umbrella policy" to cover all of their risks. It is reported that umbrella policies may be acceptable but a call ahead to marinas on your cruising itinerary is recommended.
The Pacific Coast Congress of Harbormasters and Port Managers (PCC) recently celebrated its 50th anniversary conference. The event was held April 1-4 in Newport, Oregon, the town where the organization was founded. The conference featured guest speakers on topics such as abandoned vessels, insurance, legal considerations, funding, and more with a keynote on Behavior, Change and Conflict: Being Effective in These Changing Time presented by George Myers of the Effectiveness Institute. A special appearance was also made by U.S. Representative Val Hoyle who addressed the audience on the value of ports.
On the final day of the Georgia Legislative session, the Georgia House of Representatives unanimously approved the Senate Substitute for House Bill 994. Sponsored by Rep. Alan Powell and carried in the Senate by Senator Matt Brass, this bill addresses liability issues related to boat rentals, leases, and charters. Under HB 994, when someone rents, leases, or charters a vessel and operates it negligently, they would be responsible for any resulting injuries or damages.
The bill offers protection for boat rental businesses (known as liveries). If a livery business has insurance coverage of at least $500,000 per person and $1,000,000 per occurrence, the livery wouldn't be held liable as vessel owners for accidents caused by renters, provided they meet certain conditions:
From the land of superyachts comes Focus Yachts, a family-owned builder creating masterpieces have announced that YachtCreators has been appointed the sole importer of Focus Yachts to the Americas. This collaboration heralds the arrival of an extraordinary fleet featuring bespoke open and enclosed models, each a testament to unparalleled craftsmanship and the exclusivity of limited production runs.
GOST® (Global Ocean Security Technologies), a world leader in marine security, tracking, monitoring and video surveillance systems, announced today that the company has joined forces with KVH Industries, global leader in mobile connectivity, to launch a new range of superyacht security platforms: the GOST Superyacht Security Packages.
The packages combine GOST's Apparition, the cutting-edge touchscreen marine security, monitoring and tracking system designed with large yachts in mind, with KVH's CommBox Edge Communications Gateway, which delivers seamless integration and control for every communication channel imaginable. Together, the two technologies provide a brand-new video surveillance platform that gives users levels of security, access and control unprecedented in the industry.
Boateka, a business of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), specialized in direct-to-consumer pre-owned boats sales through its digital platform and dealership model, today announced its newest location in the Tampa Bay region, a top five boating market in the United States. Strategically located in close proximity to Freedom Boat Club's largest corporate territories in Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida, Boateka's newest location will serve as a hub to accelerate certified pre-owned sales across the Southwest Florida region and beyond.
"This new location represents another important milestone as we expand the Boateka brand and engage one of the most active boating communities in Florida," said Brenna Preisser, President, Business Acceleration, Brunswick Corporation. "We look forward to further serving the Tampa Bay market by offering a pathway to certified pre-owned boats with a warranty."
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Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@worldmarine.media