.

NATIONAL MARINA DAY IS SATURDAY, AUGUST 11TH - JOIN THE CELEBRATION!

Take a moment to congratulate yourself for your part in the victories that the members of the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association have accomplished this past year on behalf of the marine industry statewide: securing passage of legislation to allow gate shows at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and pulling off an historical boat show in record time; ensuring the utmost professionalism of the industry through January's Business of Boating in Massachusetts conference and March's Marina Industry Regulatory Workshops, and continuing to successfully advocate for public access to our waterways.

It's time to share the contributions that OUR industry and YOUR business makes to the Commonwealth's and America's economy and to the quality of life for its citizens.  Share the good news with your elected officials, those unfamiliar with boating, your neighbors and friends.

The Association of Marina Industries
&
The Massachusetts Marine Trades Association

strongly encourages you to celebrate

America's Gateways To Boating

By Participating In

National Marina Day     August 11, 2007

National Marina Day is an annual celebration designed to educate politicians, civic leaders, boaters and non-boaters alike about the important role the marine industry plays in cities and towns across the nation as family-friendly gateways to boating and stewards of the environment. Marinas are an integral part of history and modern American life. National Marina Day highlights the marine industry's rich history and bright future.  Your participation need not be demanding and most of the work can be done for you.  Simply invite your elected officials to your facility for a tour and a cup of coffee or match up National Marina Day with a larger annual event.  MMTA will draft the invitations and if needed, press releases!  All that is needed is your signature and letterhead.   Any type of event that best suits your facility--large or small, elaborate or simple--is welcome and encouraged.  Some fine examples of what has worked in the past for industry friends hosting National Marina Day events include:

Customer Appreciation Day
Facility tours for legislators
Facility tours for residential and business neighbors
Complimentary boat rides for the public
Cookouts and swimming
Live music or a DJ
Free t-shirts and/or "cozies" for first 25 visitors
Raffle featuring boating gear prizes
Fishing tournaments
Complimentary gallon of gas for introducing a friend to boating
One hour of free transient dockage to new visitors
Signs and literature that highlights the contributions marinas make to the community

If you would like more information or for assistance in planning your National Marina Day event,feel free to contact Nathalie Grady at 978-808-1408 or nathalie.grady@boatma.com.  To access a National Marina Day Resource Kit, visit: http://www.marinaassociation.org/nmd.

Click Here To Access the National Marina Day Resouce Kit - It's Free!

WELCOME TO NATIONAL FISHING & BOATING WEEK!

All across America people are celebrating National Fishing & Boating Week. This 7th annual celebration promises to be the biggest ever with events planned from coast to coast, including fishing derbies, regattas, educational events, boating demonstrations, festivals and scores of other aquatic activities.   

10 WAYS TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL FISHING AND BOATING WEEK

With National Fishing and Boating Week upon us, here's a list from BoatU.S. on ten ways to celebrate the week and inspire families and friends to head out for some fun fishing and safe boating:

1. Go fishing for free: In honor of this special week, many states offer one or more days where you won't need a license to go fishing. Go to http://www.Takemefishing.org/freefishingdaysbystate for a list of dates.

2. Brush up on your fishing skills: From learning about fishing tactics, equipment and safety, to advice and stories from pro anglers, http://www.BoatUSAngler.com has all the right info to keep beginners or experienced anglers at their peak. Click on "Angler How-To's."

3. Take a friend who has never been boating out for the afternoon: Inviting some non-boaters out on the water could hook you a new boating buddy. After you get back to the dock, send your friends to http://www.discoverboating.com or http://www.discoversailing.com where they can get a free DVD to get them started in powerboating or sailing.

4. Take the "Angler's Legacy" Pledge: The pledge is all about ensuring the growth of recreational fishing. Go to http://www.Anglerslegacy.org for more information.

5. Get "Hooked" Online: Need a little help finding fish? Do you want to attend a nearby tournament or go charter fishing? Localized fishing reports, charter and tournament information can all be found at http://www.BoatUS.com/angler There's even a list of fishing magazines just for your area.

6. Invite a child to go fishing and make it memorable: After you go out, nominate them to the "Kids Fishing Hall of Fame," post a photo of them with their catch online for the whole world to see, or create a free "Certificate of Recognition" at http://www.Takemefishing.org

7. Borrow a kid's life jacket for free: If you're not used to having kids aboard you may not have the right size life jacket. But the BoatU.S Foundation's free Kids Life Jacket Loaner program offers free child and teen life jackets for the day, afternoon or weekend at over 350 waterfront sites across the US. Go to http://www.BoatUS.com/foundation/LJLP for locations.

8. Go window shopping: Dream big and sign up for your free online copy of weekly boat classifieds at http://www.BoatUS.com/classifieds There are three separate weekly emails each for powerboats, trailerable boats and sailboats.

9. Attend one of hundreds of fishing, boating or aquatic stewardship events: Many events happen throughout the year and provide opportunities for families and friends to share quality time together while learning about two of our nation's favorite pastimes - recreational boating and fishing. To find one near you, go to http://www.TakeMeFishing.org/Events

10. Teach your kids about catch and release fishing and how to measure a fish: Go to http://www.BoatUSAngler.com/fishing_basics.asp to show your kids how to safely return fish to the water and grow healthy fishing stocks by practicing catch and release.

Click Here To ReDiscover The Joys of Boating & Fishing

PORT O' CALL AND ON THE HOOK SPLASH ON BOSTON HARBOR JUNE 9

The host of Port O' Call television series Tina Marie Giambro and Dave Sloan host of On the Hook TV will celebrate National Boating and Fishing Week on Boston Harbor this Saturday June 9, 2007.

WEEI's Dale and Holly show will promote the one day event that begins at Constitution Marina, an MMTA Member, from 12 to 2pm where Dave and Tina will visit distributing life jackets to kids compliments of Stearns.  The pair will then cruise aboard a Boston Whaler donated by MMTA Member Russo Marine through out Boston Harbor reaching young ones at additional marinas and yacht clubs with the complimentary life jackets.

Port O' Call television series and On the Hook TV will now air on CN8 Comcast under their new one hour block Family Outdoors boating & fishing TV on Saturdays @ 6PM. Family Outdoors recreational boating & fishing TV is broadcasting via Comcast cable networks, Direct TV and Dish network reaching 10 million households.

Moving to CN8 adds four million households to the Port O Call/On The Hook audience.  "This is an unbelievable opportunity for us and our sponsoring manufacturers and dealers" explains co creator and host Tina Marie Giambro.  "CN8 has opened a door to expansion of the Family Outdoors boating & fishing TV  block of programming and additional coverage areas in the future in addition to cross promotion of  boating and fishing lifestyle programming on Comcast affiliates".     

Season 3 of Port O'Call will visit the Northeast boating destinations of Niantic and Norwich in CT; Boston, Cuttyhunk, Oak Bluff, Onset and Provincetown in MA; Lake Winnepesauke in NH; Atlantic City, Cape May, Long Beach Island and Wildwood in NJ; Alexandria Bay, Lake George, Mattituck, Montauk, and Staten Island in NY and Allentown, PA.  Among the boat manufacturer's featured in Season 3 are: Glacier Bay, Grady White, Meridian, Nauset, Ocean Yacht, Ocean Yacht, Pro Line, Pursuit, Sea Ray & Silverton.

Click Here For Comcast CN8 Port O Call/On The Hook Air Dates In Your Area

ASSESSING THE RECREATIONAL BOATING "THREAT"

MMTA Member Looney & Grossman, LLP and MMTA's Washington Lobbyist Larry Innis have each been invited to particpate in the Small Vessel Security Summit.  This event will focus on assessing and mitigating the potential threat posed by America's 13 million recreational boaters.  The results of the summit could have wide ranging implications for how we go boating.  MMTA looks forward to sharing news about the summit on its conclusion.

Excerpts From U.S. Coast Guard Notice on Summit
The U.S. Coast Guard announced recently that it will participate in the first-ever Department of Homeland Security-sponsored Small Vessel Security Summit to be held in June. There, invited participants will discuss ideas for improving security for vessels not covered by the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002.

Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff is expected to deliver the keynote address. The intent of this summit is to hear ideas from the people who regularly use our ports and waterways to determine how we can better structure new safety and security regimes that will have a minimal impact on those who rely on our waterways for their livelihood as well as recreation.

Click Here For More Information on the 2007 Small Vessel Security Summit

USCG AUXILIARY SAFETY CHECKS - THROUGH JULY 8

Vessel Safety Checks help increase recreational boating safety by ensuring that boats are in compliance with all Federal, State and local equipment requirements.

A Vessel Safety Check (VSC) is a free voluntary examination, and covers items normally reviewed by Coast Guard boarding officers, or local law enforcement.  In addition to reviewing the boat for equipment compliance, the trained Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel Examiner will discuss the purpose and value of required and recommended safety equipment, answer any boating-related safety questions, and encourage additional education by attending any of a number Coast Guard Auxiliary safety or boating skills courses. A VSC is not a law enforcement action.  No official report is made to any law enforcement authority, and boaters will not incur any penalties if they do not pass the VSC.  They will also discuss issues relating to Maritime Domain Awareness and the specifics of the America's Waterway Watch program, a key component for helping America stay safe.  For more details on the America's Waterway Watch program, visit www.americaswaterwaywatch.org 

Vessel Safety Checks are available from your local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla. Boaters may also contact a vessel examiner directly by visiting www.safetyseal.net  or its mirror site,  http://vesselsafetycheck.org/,  and clicking on the "I Want A VSC" button, or they can call 1-877-875-6296.

Click Here To Find a USCG Flotilla Near You

GO GREEN TO KEEP YOUR OFFICE IN THE BLACK

A Morning Workshop on Making Offices More Sustainable and Cost Effective
June 8, 2007, 8:00 am – 12:30 pm
Staples, Inc. Headquarters, 500 Staples Drive, Framingham, MA

In today's upsurge of calls for businesses to "green up," it is easy to get disoriented.  If your company has an office – small or large, leased or owned – come to this workshop to hear those who succeeded:

Does "greening up" make business sense for your office?
What are the projects and tools that worked for other businesses?
What are the benefits others reaped from their efforts?
How do you turn this work into a compelling story to help you gain new customers and retain the ones you already have?

Benefits of attending:
Informative sessions featuring leaders of the New England business community,
Opportunity to win a Xerox Phaser 8560 solid ink printer and other prizes,
Green Your Office Kit with products to jumpstart your efforts,
Information-packed Workshop Manual,
Catered breakfast and snacks.

Who should attend?
Business Owners, Presidents, CEOs & CFOs
Building Owners
Office Managers
Property and Facility Managers
Sales and Marketing Personnel
EH&S Personnel
Office Staff

Presented by MassRecycle in collaboration with the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Boston and the Massachusetts Operational Services Division.  Sponsored by Staples, Atlas Watersystems, Inc., Herman Miller Inc. and Shaw Contract Group. Reserve your spot now – the space is filling up fast!  If you have a question regarding the workshop or would like to become a sponsor, email MassRecycle at info@massrecycle.org or call (617) 338-0244.

Click Here To Register & Review Agenda

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

June 2 - 10, 2007
National Fishing & Boating Week
http://www.rbff.org/ 

August 11, 2007
National Marina Day
www.marinaassociation.org/nmd 

Thursday, September 6th 2007                   ! New Event Date Announced!
MMTA General Meeting & Social 
Location TBD

Friday, September 28th 2007                       ! New Event Date Announced!       
MMTA Annual Meeting Breakfast
Seaport World Trade Center
In Conjunction With the 8th Annual Boston International In Water Boat Show

September 19, 2007
Marine Straddlelift & Forklift Training
Burr Brothers Boats, Marion MA
http://www.abbra.org/training_meot.rml 

Tuesday, January 29th 2008                        ! New Event Date Announced!
MMTA 3rd Annual
Professional Development Conference   
Location To Be Determined

MMTA LINKS OF INTEREST

2007 MA Shrinkwrap Recycling Program: http://www.boatma.com/membersonly/index.html
Boater Information Pipeline Signup:http://www.boatma.com/boatersenewssignupform.html
MA Marine Industry Careers: http://www.boatma.com/education.html
Advertise @ BoatMA.com: http://www.boatma.com/membersonly/banneradinfo.html
Link to Archived ENews: http://www.boatma.com/membersonly/archivednl.html
CZM Marina Workshop Presentations: http://www.boatma.com/czmworkshops/presentations

Navigation & Boating Safety

Massachusetts Tides: www.boatma.com/tides/index.html
MA Boater Safety & Education: www.mass.gov/dfwele/dle/boatrvsafe.htm
National Association of State Boating Law Administrators: www.nasbla.org
US Coast Guard NavCenter Notice To Mariners: www.navcen.uscg.gov/lnm
US Coast Guard 1st District Boston: www.uscg.mil/d1
US National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration: www.noaa.gov
US NOAA Charts: www.chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov

Government & Regulatory

MA Coastal Zone Management: www.mass.gov/czm
MA Department of Environmental Protection: www.mass.gov/dep
MA Find Your Elected Representatives: www.wheredoivotema.com
MA Legislation: www.mass.gov/legis
MA Office of Fishing & Boating Access: www.mass.gov/dfwele/pab
MA Office of Technical Assistance: www.mass.gov/envir/ota
MA Official Website of the Commonwealth of MA: www.mass.gov
MA Workforce Development: www.mass.gov/dwd
US EPA-Region 1: www.epa.gov/region1
US Occupational Safety & Health Administration: www.osha.gov

New England Sales & Titling

MA Department of Revenue: www.mass.gov/dor
MA Boat Registration & Titling: www.mass.gov/dfwele/dle
ME Boat Registration: www.maine.gov/ifw/rv/boatlaws.htm
NH Boat Registration: www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/ss/marinepatrol
RI Boat Registration: www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bpoladm/manserv/hfb
VT Boat Registration: aot.state.vt.us/dmv/REGISTRATION/Motorboats/MOTORBOATS.htm
USCG Vessel Documentation Center: www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/vdoc/nvdc.htm

Marine Industry Links

ABBRA: American Boat Builders & Repairer's Assn: www.abbra.org
ABYC: American Boat & Yacht Council: www.abycinc.org
AMI: Association of Marina Industries: www.marinaassociation.org
AMTECH: Association of Marine Technicians: www.am-tech.org
Discover Boating: www.discoverboating.com
Grow Boating – Rising Tide Campaign: www.growboating.org
MRAA: Marine Retailers Association of America: www.mraa.com
NMMA: National Marine Manufacturer's Association: www.nmma.org

MEMBERS ONLY CONTENT: Click Here