New Jersey program promotes thrill of boating

BRICK, N.J. – The Marine Trades Association of New Jersey, along with marinas and boat dealers throughout the state, will hold a “Bring a Buddy Boating” program this Saturday (June 12) to encourage boating enthusiasts to get their friends hooked on the excitement of boating in New Jersey, the MTA/NJ said today in a press release.

Sixteen marinas and boat dealers in the state will open their doors to the public for a series of free, day-long, open-house events. Different activities are planned at each location, including: entertainment, raffles and door prizes, demo boat rides, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary boat inspections, marine training lessons, as well as various booths providing useful and educational information.

“I’m thrilled to be hosting this statewide open house,” said Tammy Savidge, Dredge Harbor Boat Center, LLC marina owner. “I’m looking forward to meeting members of the community and talking with them about the fun of boating in New Jersey. I can answer all questions people have about boating and how they can easily and economically get involved in boating today.”

Participating marinas and boat dealers include:
– B & E Marine, Wildwood;
– Barnegat Bay Boat Sales, Toms River;
– Baywood Marina, Brick;
– Causeway Marine, Manahawkin;
– Dredge Harbor Boat Center, LLC, Delran;
– Irwin Marine, Red Bank;
– Island Marine Center, LLC, Ocean View;
– Leamings Marina, Waretown;
– Main One Marina, Avon-By-The-Sea;
– Midlantic Yacht Sales, Riverside;
– Minmar Marine, Sea Isle City;
– Pier 47 Marina, Wildwood;
– Schooner Island Marina, Wildwood;
– Sea Village Marina, Northfield;
– Sheltered Cove Marina, Tuckerton.

Rick Gimello, executive director of the NJDOT/Office of Maritime Resources, said that preliminary results of a New Jersey boater survey suggest that “recreational boaters may contribute up to $28.2 million per year in trip-related expenditures, and up to another $17.2 million on annual boating-related expenses, to the state’s economy.”

To learn more about the “Bring a Buddy Boating” event or to participate, contact Jennifer Ort, Creative Marketing Alliance at (609) 799-6000 – ext. 64, (609) 799-7032 (fax), Jort@cmasolutions.com or visit the Bring a Buddy Boating Web site at www.mtanj.org and click on the button on the left.

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