MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY: ADDITIONAL COPIES AVAILABLE
One copy of the MMTA Member Directory is sent to the designated representative for each member firm. Tired of sharing your one copy? Would you like additional copies for your service manager, dockmaster, parts manager or sales staff? A limited number of additional copies of the 2006 Membership Directory are available for $6 each which includes shipping and handling. If you would like additional copies for employees of member firms, send an e-mail to mary@boatma.com or call Mary Horan at 617.296.8336 indicating the quantity desired and the preferred payment method.
By now all current MMTA members should have received their 2006 Membership Directory, Certificate and Card. If you have not, please contact Mary Horan at mary@boatma.com Forgot to pay your dues? Click here to renew your membership online: https://ssl3.pair.com/bythesea/cgi-bin/quickstore/boatma-renew/order.pl
MASSACHUSETTS DELEGATION TO AMERICAN BOATING CONGRESS
For three days this spring members of the Massachusetts Marine Trades were well represented at the American Boating Congress in Washington DC hosted by NMMA. Attending on behalf of MMTA were Immediate Past President Tom Cox of Constitution Marina, MMTA Vice President Tina Marine Giambro of Port O' Call Productions and MMTA's Government Relations & Legal Counsel, Jamy Buchanan Madeja, Esq.
Following educational presentations on matters of national concern and speeches by various federal officials and legislators, the MMTA delegation enjoyed important opportunities to liaise with marine industry leaders and the elected representatives and/or aides of the people of the Commonwealth including Congressmen Delahunt, Frank and Lynch and Senator Kerry.
The American Boating Congress provides manufacturing and government leaders with a forum to discuss important public policy matters and offers manufacturers an amazing opportunity to advocate one-on-one with members of Congress on issues impacting recreational boating. "The American Boating Congress is the boating industry's premier political and legislative event, bringing recreational boating leaders and government officials together on important matters impacting the recreational marine industry and boating public," said NMMA President Thom Dammrich.
BUZZARDS BAY DREDGING DISPOSAL SITE FUTURE UNCERTAIN
During the past few months MMTA has included in various ENews notices to members information on the proposal and permitting process related to re-opening the Buzzards Bay Disposal site for dredged materials. In spite of our alerts and the coverage in various local newspapers, the only letters of support for the re-opening of the Buzzards Bay dredged material disposal site were from MMTA. To the best of our knowledge, no individual businesses or municipalities sent a letter supporting the re-opening of this location.
In early May 2006, the project application was suddenly withdrawn by its proponent, the Office of Coastal Zone Management ("CZM"). MMTA believes it was withdrawn, in part, due to the lack of support from those who might have benefited from having a place to deposit dredged spoils: towns, municipalities and marinas/boatyards.
CZM's inclination to back away from the proposal to re-open the site was given a push by the filing of House Bill 4884, An Act Relative to Dredge Spoil Disposal in Buzzards Bay filed by Rep Erik Turkington (most likely at the behest of the Coalition for Buzzards Bay). Co-sponsored by Therese Murray, Mark C. Montigny, Matthew C. Patrick, Jeffrey D. Perry, Michael J. Rodrigues, John F. Quinn, William M. Straus, Robert M. Koczera, Stephen R. Canessa, William G. Greene, HB 4884 would effectively ban disposal of any dredged spoils in Buzzards Bay unless being used in a beneficial reuse project. Specifically the House Bill 4884 reads:
Notwithstanding any general or special law, rule or regulation to the contrary, the disposal, deposit, or redeposit of dredged materials shall be prohibited in any portion of Buzzards Bay, which was designated as an area of special interest in chapter 251 of the Acts of 2004. The deposit or redeposit of dredged materials shall only be allowed in Buzzards Bay if for use in a beneficial reuse project. A "beneficial reuse project" may include, beach nourishment, salt marsh restoration, dune restoration, or as capping material for underwater contamination.
More than ever, recreational marinas around the country are confronted by increasingly shallow waters - caused by natural and manmade sedimentation and shoaling - that hampers boating access and cost marine businesses customers and income. Dredging and having access to local, accessible and affordable dredged spoils disposal sites is essential for the continuing maintenance of these channels and basins.
Dredging is not a stark choice between recreation and the environment or recreation and commerce. Dredging and the removal of siltation bottom materials to restore adequate depths is as important to the marine economy as maintaining and plowing roads in our towns and parking lots. Maintenance dredging of our navigable fairways, harbors, marinas, yacht clubs and mooring fields is crucial to keeping the Commonwealth waters open and accessible to all of its citizens as well as transient boaters who patronize Massachusetts businesses.
If you would like to speak out on the need for local, affordable dredged spoils disposal sites and specifically the Buzzards Bay site that faces an uncertain future, here is how to help.
MMTA Government Relations & Legal Counsel Jamy Buchanan Madeja, Esq. recommends the following:
"The most long term effective thing would be many letters from many members addressed to Lt. Governor Kerry Healy at the State House, Room 360, Boston, MA 02133 AND the Secretary of Environmental Affairs, Stephen Pritchard, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900, Boston, MA 02114 AND Director Susan Snow Cotter, Coastal Zone Management, 251 Causeway Street, Suite 800, Boston, MA 02114.
The letter should: emphasize the importance to the marine industry of an affordable, permitted disposal location for dredged materials; thank CZM for beginning the effort to permit a disposal site; express serious concern for the decision not to pursue the partially studied Buzzard's Bay site at this time; ASK ALL THREE TO REPLY as to how the writer can best support actual permitting of an actual site before it is too late and the marine industry loses even more slips, moorings, marinas and boatyards forever, and how the recipient plans to progress with this essential issue."
Thank you for your willingness to step up and state how important dredging and a place to dispose of dredged spoils is to the recreational marine industry in the Commonwealth. If it is possible, MMTA welcomes your copying us on any correspondence on this matter so that we may continue to maintain a complete file of all interested entities and supportive comments.
DISCOVER BOATING IN EIGHT STEPS OR LESS
- Which type of boat is right for me? For most buyers, general purpose craft that serve as fish, ski and picnic boats are ideal; for others needing something specialized, a wide selection is offered in most markets.
- How big a boat will I need? Size is a function of who will be on board and where it will be used; options range from 12-ft. dinghies to power and sail yachts. If it is a question of two to four feet in size, buy more if your budget allows. This will keep you in the boat longer.
- What will it cost? Most newcomers are surprised that, with financing, boats can be paid for in monthly installments and often cost less than they think; pre-owned boats often cost one-half of similar new models.
- What is the best time of year to buy? The best time is when you are ready to buy. Boat shows provide great opportunities to find "show specials." However, specials only work if you have done some homework and identified the right type of boat for you. You'll find good deals on boats throughout the year.
- How do you find a good dealer? Shop around a little. It's easy to do at a boat show. When you have decided on two or three models, ask for a test drive. The dealer who goes out of his/her way to get you on the water, knowing you are qualified and ready to buy, should get high marks. Check out the dealer's reputation for fairness and service quality.
- Where can I learn the waterway rules? Boating education courses are offered just about everywhere by private firms, through the Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadrons, and on the Internet (try www.BoatUS.com/onlinecourse/). You can also type "boating instruction" in a Web browser for a start.
- Should I buy new or used? This is truly a personal choice. For many, a used boat can be a good bet. But we recommend shopping new first. You will gain insight into which type of boat is best for you and its new price. Then you can zero in on your perfect boat! Jump into the used market and look for that specific boat.
- If I buy used how do I know the boat is in good condition? Pay to get a marine survey done. Surveyors will check all systems and the hull to assure a good used product. Call two or three insurance companies in your area to recommend a couple marine surveyors. If a name or two comes up more than once you can feel pretty confident of their services.
MARINE INDUSTRY EVENT CALENDAR
Have an event to be added to the calendar of interest to all members, send an e-mail to Leona.Roach@boatma.com
ONGOING REMINDERS TO MEMBERS AND LINKS OF INTEREST
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOATER INFORMATION PIPELINE SIGNUP:
http://www.boatma.com/boatersenewssignupform.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MMTA NEWSBRIEF ON ETHANOL:
http://www.boatma.com/membersonly/newsbriefs/2006_march_11_news.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MMTA NEWSBRIEF ON LOW SULFUR GASOLINE:
http://www.boatma.com/membersonly/newsbriefs/2006_march_03_news.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RENEW YOUR 2006 MMTA MEMBERSHIP ONLINE THROUGH PAYPAL:
https://ssl3.pair.com/bythesea/cgi-bin/quickstore/boatma-renew/order.pl
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAKE THE MMTA JOBS BULLETIN BOARD WORK FOR YOU!
Be sure to post your help wanted notices here. It's free, it's popular and it works! http://www.boatma.com/jobs/bbs.pl
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARINE TRADES EDUCATORS WISH LIST
Go To: www.boatma.com/membersonly/news/bbs.pl to visit the MMTA News Bulletin Board of Wish Lists from Ben Franklin Institute of Technology, Massasoit Community College and Cape Cod Tech.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHOW YOUR COLORS
Proudly Display the MMTA Logo: Download it Here:
http://www.boatma.com/membersonly/mmtalogos.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WE WANT YOUR MARINE INDUSTRY PHOTOS!
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
Click Here, or visit the MMTA Members Only Section at www.BoatMA.com and click on the STAPLES LOGO.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E-MAIL CHANGES?
Send a notice of any email address changes or requests to opt out of future mailings to: webmaster@boatMA.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPPORT YOUR ASSOCIATION: ADVERTISE ON BOATMA.COM
THE BEST PROMOTIONAL VALUE FOR YOUR MARINE BUSINESS! Email webmaster@boatma.com or call David Watson, the BoatMA.com webmaster, at 508-240-2533 to sign up today!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARE THE WEALTH!
PLEASE share these ENews briefs with colleagues and staff of MMTA member firms. HAVE AN ITEM FOR ENEWS? Drop us a line at: Leona.Roach@BoatMA.com
|
