NORWALK, Conn. – The Norwalk International In-Water Boat Show reports that attendance was down by 29 percent for 2011, with just over 15,000 attendees over the four-day show. Rain and threats of inclement weather were blamed for the decrease. The in-water show at the Norwalk Cove Marina is produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association and had 15,095 attendees this ...

FOND DU LAC, Wis. – Mercury Marine parent company Brunswick recently donated $80,000 to the Fond du Lac United Way during the organization’s annual fundraising campaign. Employees of Fond du Lac-based Mercury Marine raised $62,564 for a total contribution of $142,564 by the marine manufacturer. According to the Fond du Lac Reporter, the donation of $142,564 helps the Fond du ...

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recently released figures for the summer showing that accidents on the state’s public lakes and rivers were the lowest since 2007, according an article in the Des Moines Register. State officials attribute the drop in boating mishaps to increased education, added patrols and the economy. Iowa lowered the blood-alcohol limit ...

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Brunswick Corporation Chairman and CEO Dustan E. McCoy will attend the Credit Suisse 2011 Small and Mid-Cap Conference on Sept. 28 at the Parker Meridien Hotel in New York City. The company will post the investor relations presentation it will use at the conference on its website on Sept. 28, the same day as the conference. ...

ODESSA, Del. – The Sea Ray Owners Club is welcoming Sea Ray owners to its four-day, three-night BahamaFest at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, Bahamas, from June 24-27, 2012. The event is an exclusive offer to members of the club, including Sea Ray owners, dealers, Sea Ray staff and a few sponsors. Tickets and reservations for BahamaFest 2012 open ...

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Sunsail Yacht Charter and Flotilla Sailing Vacations is growing the size of its fleet and will be bringing select boats to the Annapolis Sailboat Show, Oct. 6-10, for attendees to check out. The yacht chartering company will be adding 115 new yachts to its 2012 line up from various manufacturers, including Jeanneau, Beneteau and Robertson & Caine. ...

MIAMI – The Flagstone Development Group recently received final approval on a $54 megayacht marina complex on Watson Island, Fla., according to the Miami Herald. The facility received the necessary approval by the Miami City Commissioners last week to begin development on the island. Development on the facility has been stalled several times. The facility was given the go ahead ...

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Florida Yacht Brokers Association (FYBA) recently announced the agenda for this year’s Charter Education & Destinations Seminar to be held Oct. 12 at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center & Resort in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The seminar topics for this year include Technology Aboard Yachts, Diary of a Charter Agent, a Great Lakes Report on the ...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) and Discovery Education are collaborating on a program designed to generate interest in boating, fishing and the outdoors. The program, Explore the Blue, is an educational resource for parents and teachers filled with information designed to engage students K-5 in a dialogue about the importance of outdoor recreational activities. The ...

CHICAGO – The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) recently welcomed the newly established Senate Oceans Caucus, which met for the first time on Sept. 13. The Congressional body will be headed by co-chairs Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and will complement the House Oceans Caucus, formed nearly 10 years ago. “Recreational use of our oceans produces ...