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Marine industry news across all sectors this week - MarineBusinessWorld.com North America newsletter

by Peter Rendle 12 Jun 2024 14:00 PDT
The Day After Hurricane Ian © Golden Boat Lifts

Golden Marine Systems, a prominent provider of marine infrastructure solutions, offers crucial guidance to prepare marinas for hurricane season. Drawing from extensive experience in the marine industry, the company emphasizes proactive measures to mitigate potential damage and ensure safety. Hurricanes pose significant threats to coastal communities, making marinas especially vulnerable. To assist marina operators and boat owners, Golden Marine Systems offers advice.

MarineMax (HZO) is delighted to announce an important change within the MarineMax Group of companies. Since becoming the largest superyacht services company in the world, through the combination acquisitions of Fraser Yachts, Northrop & Johnson, Fairport Yacht Management, SuperYacht Management, and Atalanta Golden Yachts, the group has assessed how best to integrate and combine functional areas to make the overall group stronger, improve the experience and opportunities for the team members and to enhance the client offering across the board, while maintaining the culture and independency of the brands.

The International BoatBuilders' Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) will be hosting the prestigious IBEX Innovation Awards program during this year's event, taking place October 1-3 in Tampa. New product entries are now being accepted through August 21. The Innovation Awards program presented at IBEX features 14 marine trade product categories, honoring manufacturers and suppliers who bring new, innovative products for the boating industry to market.

Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation, this week introduced the 8hp and 9.9hp EFI Four Stroke and 9.9hp EFI ProKicker™ outboard engines. These new outboards feature an advanced Mercury electronic fuel injection (EFI) system designed to provide boaters, fishing enthusiasts and pro anglers with easy starts and efficient performance. Demand for EFI technology is growing due to the benefits it offers over carburetted engines including ease of starting, reliable performance in all weather conditions and better fuel efficiency.

Celebrating its 140th anniversary this year, Groupe Beneteau unveils its business report for 2023. It's an opportunity for the world leader in yachting to look back on a remarkable year, and to take stock of its environmental and societal commitments. Through a renewed format, the Report offers a deep dive into the successes and highlights of this unprecedented year. In terms of economic performance, the Groupe Beneteau achieved record sales of 1.785 billion euros, consolidating its position as world leader in the sailing segment (monohulls and multihulls) and in the 40- to 60-foot powerboat segment.

Two partners at the opposite ends of the Texas Gulf Coast have teamed up to open the ninth TowBoatUS port on the Gulf, TowBoatUS Sabine Lake on the Texas/Louisiana border. Capt. Justin Nesloney, owner of TowBoatUS Port Aransas and North Padre Island has teamed up with Bo Clayton, a Port Arthur-based airboat builder and founder of Southeast Texas Airboats, an 11,000-member Facebook group that meets regularly for rides and fundraisers. Clayton is the towing port's full-time manager. Because of his long-running work in the local airboat community, Clayton is known as the "go-to guy" for on-water troubles - willing to lend a hand to bring boaters home after a breakdown or running aground.

TopSide Marinas, a family-owned company that acquires and operates high-quality marinas around the country, recently announced the acquisition of two marinas on the scenic shores of Lake Michigan, including Bay Marine of Sturgeon Bay and Bay Marine of Chicago. Previous owners, Matt and Mark Felhofer, will continue to own and operate Bay Marine Yacht Sales, which will leaseback showroom and office space at both locations. These two marinas are both well-established and highly sought-after destinations for boat owners and enthusiasts. With this acquisition, TopSide Marinas now owns and operates a total of ten marinas across six states.

The Pacific Coast Congress of Harbormasters and Port Managers is accepting applications for scholarships and project grants made available through the organization's Barbara Schwantes Fund. Scholarships and grants are available for up to $1000 and are issued through a competitive process. Applicants must reside in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, or the Canadian province of British Columbia. The scholarships are intended for individuals planning to enrol or currently enrolled in a post-secondary program in a marine-related field including marine science, marine education, marine engineering, facility operations, boatbuilding and repair, engine repair, marine surveying, and more.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2024 National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Hall of Fame Award. Hall of Fame inductees are industry icons — visionaries whose outstanding contributions have and continue to advance, guide, and transform the industry. To nominate a worthy marine leader, one must be an active member in good standing with the NMMA.

Keep up to date with your industry's news at www.marinebusinessworld.com/NorthAmerica from the largest boating news network, updated daily.

Stay resolute,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@worldmarine.media

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