FROM THE DESK OF JAMY BUCHANAN MADEJA, ESQ.
MMTA GOVERNMENT RELATIONS & LEGAL COUNSEL
DEP Proposes Change to Dredging Requirements - MMTA Needs Your Input
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA-DEP) has proposed
comprehensive revisions to the requirements for dredging, for the first time
since 1970. MMTA plans to submit comments to DEP, and to testify at one or
more public hearings.
We seek assistance from marina operators, engineers, permitting consultants, marine technicians and anyone with the capacity to review the changes and help MMTA comment effectively. We may not have this opportunity again for many years. Questions may be directed to Jamy Buchanan Madeja, at 617-227-8410, jmadeja@buchananassociates.com.
As soon as possible we'd like to be sure that we have a good group of knowledgeable reviewers to assist in preparing effective comments. Please let us hear from you today.
Below is the link to the actual proposed changes, and summaries. Copy and paste these URL addresses to access the information.
Proposed Changes & Summary: www.mass.gov/dep/public/publiche.htm
Public hearing notice www.mass.gov/dep/water/laws/dredgepn.htm
Web page Summary of proposed revisions to
Multi Sector General Permit Released for Comment
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released for comment the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Industrial Activity, also referred to as the Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP). This proposed permit will replace the existing permit covering industrial sites that expired on October 30, 2005.
Current users of the General Permit are "covered" by the old one until the new one is promulgated. EPA seeks comment on the proposed permit and on the accompanying fact sheet-available at www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater. For further information about the Massachusetts permit, contact Thelma Murphy at murphy.thelma@epa.gov or (617) 918-1615. Comments are due January 16, 2006. MMTA members may contact MMTA counsel, Jamy Buchanan Madeja, Esq., at 617-227-8410 or jmadeja@buchananassociates.com for questions and comments.
MMTET Will Host AMTECH Courses in Massachusetts
Electrical Troubleshooting & Theory Management Training for Marine Businesses
In February and March the Massachusetts Marine Trades Education Trust will host two Association of Marine Technician [AMTECH] workshops designed to raise the bar of marine service excellence in Massachusetts: Electrical Troubleshooting & Theory and Management Training for Marine Businesses. The Association of Marine Technicians (AMTECH) is a not for profit 501(c) (6) Association dedicated to enhancing the skill level and professionalism of all marine technicians. The goal of the organization is to improve the quality of marine service and repair nationwide.
Class space has generously been made available by Massasoit Community College [MCC]. All seminars will take place at the Canton MA Campus of Massasoit's Professional Development Center conveniently located near Routes 128 and 138 southwest of Boston. Mark your calendars today and enroll early for what we anticipate will be two sold out events. If you would like to receive the course registration information, please send an e-mail to Leona.Roach@boatMA.com noting "Winter Training" in the subject line. Meeting registration forms and additional information will be sent to those who reply.
February 3, 2006 - Electrical Troubleshooting & Theory (1 Day)
On Friday MMTET will host a one day seminar on Electrical Troubleshooting & Theory. This course provides the proper fundamental knowledge and theory of electricity and how it interfaces with boating. Learn practical application of low voltage systems in current production powerboats. The instructor will reduce complex theory to simple terms and concepts. Heavy emphasis is placed on troubleshooting, demonstrations and hands-on training. This is a needed fundamental course for ALL technicians. Class size is limited to 20 students. Electrical Troubleshooting and Theory Registration fee ($175 MMTA Members $225 Non Members) includes workshop, refreshment and snack. Brown Bag or purchase lunch.
March 2 & 3, 2006 - Management Training for Marine Businesses (2 days)
On Thursday and Friday MMTET will host a two day seminar on Management Training for Marine Businesses. This course stresses the important of customer service and employee relations. It provides the student with sound management skills that are necessary to effectively operate any business successfully. The instructor will use personal experience operating a marine dealership to demonstrate management skills in action. The course will cover budgeting, flat rate, service writing, inventory control, labor rates, time management and more. The student will learn efficient ways of operating a profitable marine business. This course is ideal for owner/operators, managers, as well as any employee that deal directly with the public. Class size is limited. Management Training for Marine Businesses registration fee ($250 MMTA Members $350 Non Members) includes two day course, refreshment and snacks. Brown Bag or purchase lunch.
Day One focuses on overall business training with group discussion promoting an exchange of ideas including, customer service, selling, assessing your stress, marketing, merchandising, business management, business finance and employee relations. Day Two is service specific and develops the concepts of service management with group participation on topics such as: communications, personal profile system, repair orders, daily time tickets, service budgets, expenses, income, flat rate and seasonal trends.
2006 Membership Directory Advertising Now Available
MMTA is now offering the opportunity to express your support for the MA Marine Trades Association while highlighting your firm's products and services within the 2006 Membership Directory which puts your business at the fingertips of marine industry leaders.
These enhanced listings will include a full page, black and white advertisement of products or services. The Directory is published in the first quarter of the calendar year. Enhanced Directory Listing opportunities are limited and offered on a space available basis only. So don't delay, reserve your page today! Applications, Listing Fee ($300) and Artwork must be received no later than January 15th.
NH Community Technical College Welcomes Marine Industry Job Postings
If you would like top post your job openings to students and soon to be graduates of NH Community Technical College, please provide the following information:
Employer Information, Job Description, Start Date, Full or Part Time, Starting Salary, Benefits Available, Job Posting Contact and telephone number. Please send all postings to laconow@nhctc.edu or via snail mail to: NH Community Technical College, 379 Belmont Road, Laconia NH 03246 Tel: 603-524-3207 or via fax: 603-524-8084.
Cash Grants For Clean Boating Projects
The BoatU.S. Foundation is looking to fund creative and innovative projects that teach boaters cleaner habits on the water through its 2006 Clean Water Grant Program.
Up to $4,000 per group is available to small, local nonprofits conducting educational campaigns. Past projects have covered topics like pumpout education, pollution prevention, monofilament fishing line recycling, and preventing the spread of aquatic nuisance species. Projects MUST involve educating boaters. The deadline to apply is February 1, 2006. To read the grant guidelines or to download an application, please visit www.boatus.com/cleanwater/grants/.
NFIB Bulletin: Corporate Officer Workers' Compensation Exemption
Did you know that corporate officers or directors who own at least 25% of the stock of their corporation may exempt themselves from workers compensation coverage and premiums? Form 153 must be filed annually with the Department of Industrial Accidents, Office of Investigations, with a copy to the insurance carrier prior to the renewal of any policy. The exemption does not apply to employees. Form 153 is available through NFIB and is also located on the Department of Industrial Accidents web site at www.mass.gov/dia. These links and other links of interest to small business owners are available on the National Federation of Independent Businesses website at www.nfib.com/MA.
NOAA - RASTER CHARTS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is making available online its Raster Nautical Charts (RNC) at chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov These charts are geo-referenced, full-color images of NOAA's paper nautical charts, published by NOAA in the BSB format. NOAA updates the RNC for Notices to Mariners on a weekly basis. They are an official product of NOAA and meet the S-61 Standard - Raster Navigational Charts - of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO).
(12/8/05).
These days Maritime Security is everyone's business
By Wayne Spivak, National Press Corps, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) is a term you may see more and more in the press, at your marina, or in your boating magazines and newspapers. MDA is concerned with all people and things in the maritime environment. In this context, "security" means more than it usually does.
When you think of security, you may think of being safe from crime, or safe from financial ruin. In MDA, security means more; it means being safe in a marine environment where people and property are secure from malicious action, and the natural environment and the national economy are kept safe.
Safety
Safety is the key word here. The United States Coast Guard wants the recreational boating public to be safe. This is why the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary promote Vessel Safety Checks (VSCs), boating education, and wearing of personal flotation devices (PFDs). How does this relate to MDA?
Because if we are able to reduce the need for Search-and-Rescue activities (we call prevention programs "pre-SAR missions"), the Coast Guard and Auxiliary will have more assets available for security and other missions, such as fisheries, migrant interdiction, environmental safety, etc. Mishaps that can be prevented should be prevented. A twenty-minute VSC can catch problems that, if uncorrected, could cause your vessel to be involved in a mishap.
I've seen it when I've performed VSCs for the boating public. While doing a VSC at a local boat ramp, I noticed that a sea cock was missing from a boat's fish locker. The locker was already filling up with water, and the boater and I figured that in another twenty minutes, his boat would have begun to sink.
Direct Public Involvement
Boating safety courses teach the boating public about operating safely. Safe boaters don't need to call on the Coast Guard to rescue them. Safe boaters have the opportunity to spend more time enjoying their sport, and to be assets to the Coast Guard by becoming part of the America's Waterway Watch (www.americaswaterwaywatch.org). Those with more interest in helping the Coast Guard can even become Coast Guard Auxiliarists (www.cgaux.org).
America's Waterway Watch is a program similar to Neighborhood Watch, in which people who live, work, or play in our maritime domain keep a look out for the unusual. Why you, the average boater? Because you live there, work there, and play there day in and day out. You know what is normal and what is not.
When something just doesn't look right, make a phone call to the Coast Guard or local law enforcement. Call the National Response Center at 800-424-8802 or 877-24WATCH. If there is immediate danger to life or property, call 9-1-1, or call the Coast Guard on Marine Channel 16.
Members of America's Waterway Watch never get involved past the phone call. There are no applications to fill out, uniforms to buy, or meetings to attend. It's simply keeping a lookout for things that don't quite fit in your maritime neighborhood.
What is Suspicious?
- People appearing to be engaged in surveillance of any kind (taking notes, shooting video or photos, making sketches, or asking questions).
- Unattended vessels or vehicles in unusual locations.
- Lights flashing between boats.
- Unusual diving activity.
- Unusual number of people on board.
- Unusual night operations.
- Recovering or tossing items into/onto the waterway or shoreline.
- Operating in or passing through an area that does not typically have such activity.
- Fishing/hunting in locations not typically used for those activities.
- Missing fencing or lighting near sensitive locations.
- Anchoring in an area not typically used for anchorage.
- Transfer of people or things between ships or between ship and shore outside of port.
- Anyone operating in an aggressive manner.
- Individuals establishing businesses or roadside food stands near sensitive locations.
- Small planes flying over critical locations.
- People attempting to buy or rent fishing or recreational vessels with cash for short-term, undefined use.
Help us to help you. Keep alert. Get a free Vessel Safety Check (safetyseal.net), take a safe boating course (nws.cgaux.org/visitors/pe_visitor/index.html), and remember "You're in Command" (www.uscgboating.org/command/initiative.htm).
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of Team Coast Guard, founded in 1939 by an Act of Congress as the US Coast Guard Reserves and re-designated the Auxiliary in 1941. The 31,000 volunteer members (men and women) donate thousands of hours in support of Coast Guard missions.
Show Your Colors: Proudly Display the MMTA Logo
Start the New Year out right! Add the MMTA Logo to your website, letterhead and marketing materials. Electronic versions of the MMTA logo is available to Members in Good standing at www.boatma.com/membersonly/mmtalogos.html
WE WANT YOUR MARINE INDUSTRY PHOTOS!
MMTA is seeks your photographs of the Massachusetts Recreational Boating Industry to add to its library. We need photos of marinas, boatyards, retailers, service and repairers. Please send all photos in a high resolution version and indicate if a photo credit is applicable or not. Send to Leona.Roach@boatMA.com
UPCOMING MARINE INDUSTRY EVENTS
CLICK HERE: http://www.boatma.com/membersonly/memberscalendar.html
MMTA-STAPLES BUSINESS ADVANTAGE PROGRAM
How Do I Enroll?
It's easy. Click Here, or visit the MMTA Members Only Section at www.BoatMA.com and click on the STAPLES LOGO.
E-MAIL CHANGES?
Unlike the US Post Office, the cyberspace postmaster does not forward your e-mail. Has your e-mail address changed? If so, be sure to let us know so you won't miss an issue of MMTA ENews: Send a notice of any email address changes or requests to opt out of future mailings to: webmaster@boatMA.com
ADVERTISE ON BOATMA.COM
THE BEST PROMOTIONAL VALUE FOR YOUR MARINE BUSINESS!
If you do ANY advertising, this is THE place to be! Only for MMTA members, the BOATMA.com web site draws thousands of boaters every single day. There is no better place to get exposure for your marine trades business! Consider adding your BANNER AD to the site as the boat show season is just around the corner when the BoatMA.com site experiences a huge jump in viewers.
MMTA also invites you to sponsor an ENews Brief. We will feature an image and some text about your company right at the top of a ENews Brief, which is sent to all MMTA members. What a great business-to-business opportunity!
Email webmaster@boatma.com or call David Watson, the BoatMA.com webmaster, at 508-240-2533 to sign up today!
SHARE THE WEALTH!
Like what you have read? PLEASE share these ENews briefs with colleagues and staff of MMTA member firms. While emails are sent to one contact at a Member Firm, all employees of member firms can benefit from this information.
HAVE AN ITEM FOR ENEWS? Drop us a line at: Leona.Roach@BoatMA.co
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