Media Tracking Report 
11/01/2007

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National Marine Manufacturers Association Coverage

NMMA backs Recreational Boating Act
[Sailing Breezes (Online), 10/28/2007]

The Recreational Boating Act, designed to protect recreational boaters from new commercial ballast water permitting regulations, was introduced in the U.S. Senate…"Without congressional approval of the Recreational Boating Act, the court's existing decision means that everyday boaters will have to apply for the same expensive permits as ocean-going commercial vessels" said Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, in a statement…NMMA is strongly backing passage of the Recreational Boating Act of 2007 and encourages the public to take action before the ruling goes into effect next year…"We now have the enormous task ahead of passing a legislative fix before time runs out," said Dammrich. The NMMA, in partnership with the Boat Owners Association of the United States and other outdoor recreation partners, created a grassroots Web site at www.boatblue.org to mobilize the boating community on the ballast water permitting issue.


Finding the Right Vehicle to Tow Your Boat
[Sun-Sentinel, 10/27/2007]
By Rich Pollack

…But before you hitch up the boat to the SUV, you need to take a few steps that can protect your overall safety. "The most important thing you can do is to make sure you're not overloading what the tow vehicle can handle," says Robert Newsome, manager of engineering standards for the National Marine Manufacturers Association." You need to make sure it can handle the weight."…"When you match a boat, trailer and tow vehicle correctly, towing is incredibly safe," says Newsome, whose team is responsible for overseeing the association's trailer certification program. "It's the smart thing to do.”…To find out how much weight the trailer can handle, just look for a federally required label. You may also want to look for a National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) certification label, which signifies that the trailer has met the high safety standards of the organization…


Strong Euro Buoys Foreign Sales Of U.S. Yachts
[Miami Herald (Online), 10/22/2007]
By Martha Brannigan

…Much of the U.S. boating industry is in a slump, with the number of boats sold expected to sink about 10 percent this year on top of a 5 percent decline last year, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, a Chicago-based trade group. But as many American boaters retreat to the sidelines to lick their wounds over the housing slump and the subprime mortgage meltdown, well-heeled Europeans, Canadians, Latin Americans and Middle Easterners, whose currencies are stronger and economies often faring better, are taking advantage of attractive U.S. prices. “We're selling a lot more product in Europe, Australia and the Pacific,” says Thom Dammrich, president of NMMA. “The export market is what's keeping a lot of manufacturers in good shape.”…


Hunters and Anglers spend $76 billion
[Shooting Sports Retailer (Online), 10/22/2007]

…A new report released by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation demonstrates that by any measure, America's 34 million hunters and anglers are among the most prominent and influential of all demographic groups…"Boating plays a larger role in hunting and fishing than people realize, especially in terms of money spent and participation," noted Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association. "Figures from the U.S.F.W.S. survey estimate that sportsmen spend more than $11 billion on boat fuel, boats and related equipment to get them around in the marshes and out on the water."…

The Free Lance-Star also covered this story.


Propeller Guards Not Required On Recreational Houseboats
[Soundings (Trade Only) (Online), 10/22/2007]

The U.S. Coast Guard decided that propeller guards will not be required on all recreational houseboats…"The Coast Guard originally proposed this rule as a first step that would eventually consider requirements for propeller guards or avoidance measures on all propeller driven boats," said John McKnight, director of environmental and safety compliance for the National Marine Manufacturers Association. The NMMA, working closely with the Small Business Administration, found that safety education and labeling provided a more effective way to reduce propeller-related accidents, according to McKnight…The NMMA says studies revealed the average cost per boat would be about $1,500, with an estimated total price tag of $150 million to implement the proposal. What's more, the $150 million Coast Guard estimate did not factor in additional costs related to maintenance or the resulting decrease in fuel efficiency on prop guard-installed vessels. "Both the recreational boating industry and the Coast Guard care deeply about the safety of the boating public," said the NMMA's president Thom Dammrich, in a statement. "NMMA has worked to educate boaters on proper and safe operation of motorboats, and we continue to work alongside our industry partners to provide the best possible solutions to boat safety and efficiency."

This story was also covered by the Merced Sun-Star and the Fresno Bee (Online).


Senate Seeks EPA Permit Exemption for Pleasureboats
[The Log, 10/18/2007]

U.S. senators have joined colleagues in the House of Representatives in the fight to protect recreational boaters from potentially costly new commercial ballast water permit regulations…The National Marine Manufacturers Association said in a release that unlike commercial ship ballast water taken on board from foreign ports and oceans, these water- based functions do not introduce harmful aquatic invasive species into U.S. waterways…"Without congressional approval of the Recreational Boating Act, the court's existing decision means that every day boaters will have to apply for the same expensive permits as oceangoing commercial vessels," said Thom Dammrich, president of the NMMA. "The ballast water issue facing us is a serious threat to the boating community and the future of the boating industry," he said. The NMMA said that it is strongly backing passage of the Recreational Boating Act of 2007 and is encouraging the public to take action before the court-mandated permitting deadline goes into effect next year. "We now have the enormous task ahead of passing legislative fix before time runs out," Dammrich said. "I would urge everyone to do their part and let their voice be heard on this issue by taking a few moments to visit www.boatblue.org to learn more about the ballast water issue – and tell their senators and representatives in Congress to co- sponsor and pass these bills."


Industry Tries to Give Brownfields A Boost
[Soundings (Trade Only), 10/01/2007]
By Beth Rosenberg

As boaters around the country face waiting lists for slips or dry-storage space at marinas, and longer lines at boat ramps, industry groups are looking to recycle abandoned industrial or commercial sites along the coasts and inland water ways, turning them into viable access for boaters…"We're taking it very seriously, we think it's a wonderful opportunity since most of these sites ... border water since they're old industrial sites," said Dylan Jones, water access counsel for the National Marine Manufacturers Association. He said the association has started aggressively pursuing relationships with others who work in brownfields reclamation to get the word out that recreational boating facilities, such as marinas or boat ramps, could be excellent uses of these lands…As part of its Water Access Alliance, formerly the Water Access Task Force, the NMMA is looking specifically at brownfields as a means of increasing access, with a subgroup devoted entirely to the issue. "Our plan ultimately is to reach out to places that are undergoing renovations now and using them as examples to say, 'Hey, look at this success, here's a great opportunity to allow the community to get on the water at the same time that you're redeveloping this area,' "Jones said…


Key Democratic Senators Pledge Support to Boaters
[Northern Breezes, 11/01/2007]

"A recent court ruling has cast doubt on whether recreational boaters – people going out for a day of fishing, or waterskiing – can continue to operate without a permit from the EPA," Nelson said in a statement. "They've never been required to have such a permit, and there's no reason for that to change. You shouldn't have to ask the EPA before you take your boat out on the water."…However, the court's ruling also includes boat-engine cooling water, bilge water, gray water and common deck runoff. The court directed the Environmental Protection Agency to develop what the NMMA says is "a complex' and costly permitting scheme" for the nation's estimated 18 million boats by September 2008…


Top Ten Tips For Safe Personal Watercraft Operation From BoatU.S.
[Sailing Breezes (Online), 10/28/2007]

Are PWCs dangerous? According to Boat Owners Association of The United States, the answer to that question depends on who is driving. The most recent figures from the U.S. Coast Guard and National Marine Manufacturers Association show that PWCs (personal watercraft) represent 9% of all registered vessels in the U.S., but account for a whopping 26% of reported boating accidents…


Up And Coming
[Soundings (Trade Only), 10/01/2007]
By Melanie Winters

Discover Boating Coverage

Boat shoppers can find great deals at a boat show
[Sedalia News-Journal, 10/04/2007]

Yesterday I received not one but two e-mails asking if I was going to do a column about winterizing. I started to reference the writers to articles from previous years, but upon checking I discovered many of those links are now broken. So I was prompted to revisit the subject. (And reminded it was time to drop my own car off to have its cold weather checkup, oil change and wiper replacement.) I've kept the best from past columns and added some great new sites covering preventative care for homes, cars, boats and trailers…www.discoverboating.com - Another good article for boat owners can be found by going to the Discover Boating site. Click on the "Owning and Operating" dropdown head, then scroll down to the "Boat Maintenance" section…
 

Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show/Boat Show Coverage

Minneapolis Boat Show wins Show Of The Year
[Soundings (Trade Only), 10/01/2007]

……The Minneapolis Boat Show is owned and produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association. It ran Jan. 17 to 21 at the Minneapolis Convention Center...Another NMMA boat show, the 2006 Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show, was given an Award of Merit that same year. "This award is the result of team work," NMMA executive vice president Ben Wold, said in a statement. "All events and promotions associated with our Minneapolis show were perfectly executed this year. The entire show team should feel proud."


Calendar
[Soundings (Trade Only), 10/01/2007]

…Jan. 12 - 20 Toronto International Boat Show, industry's largest event in Canada, Direct Energy Centre, Toronto. National Marine Manufacturers Association-Canada, (905) 951-0009. www.torontoboatshow.com…Jan. 16 - 20 Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show, McCormick Place, Chicago. NMMA, (312) 946-6200. www.chicagoboatshow.com...
 

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