Charter industry looks to attract customers

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The marine charter industry has plans to bring the American public in closer contact with boating this spring by offering water access to the public through charter boats in many coastal areas, the National Marine Charter Association said in a release yesterday.

The marine charter industry is launching new initiatives at the local level to make people more aware of the various types of charter boats and activities that are available to the public – including sailing, eco-tours, fishing, and water taxis – while debunking any notions that boats-for-hire serve only the wealthy.

Chesapeake Bay charter operators will host its first Marine Charter Industry Days on April 30 and May 1 in Annapolis, Md., to showcase charter operations ranging from simple afternoon rides to lavish party cruises. A variety of vessels used for chartering, including those that carry six or fewer passengers, a new vessel that carries up to 150 passengers, and a catamaran that cruises at 17 knots will be christened at the show.

“The spectrum of marine charter firms serving the public continues to expand, and events such as the Annapolis show can effectively bring the public in contact with these marine professionals, just as other marine industries have been doing successfully for decades,” said Jeffrey C. Smith, managing director of the National Marine Charter Association, the national non-profit voice for the industry in Washington, D.C.

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