NMD participation jumps 65 percent

WASHINGTON – Participation was up over 65 percent as marinas across the country joined together to observe the third annual National Marina Day on Aug. 14, the Marina Operators Association of America reported in a press release today.

More than 260 marinas in 33 states, Canada and Brazil registered to participate in NMD 2004, and there was also a rise in the number of states officially recognizing National Marina Day, the association stated. In 2003, officials in 18 states officially proclaimed National Marina Day. In 2004, 23 states (Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington state, and Wisconsin) recognized the day by passing or signing resolutions or proclamations recognizing National Marina Day in their states.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton also sent a letter Friday addressed to marina owners and operators in which she congratulated them on the events that were planned and lent her support to marinas around the country.

“The 12,000 marinas across the country play an important role as family friendly gateways to boating,” Norton wrote. “By working with groups such as yours, we can continue to offer Americans the best recreational experience in the world.”

MOAA Executive Director James L. Frye, CMM, said the number of marinas that had registered to participate in NMD indicated success in MOAA’s educational efforts.

“While at this time it is unclear what impact Hurricane Charley had on the number of facilities actually celebrating National Marina Day 2004, we feel that the growth of marinas registering to participate in NMD 2004, as well as the preliminary feedback we are getting from NMD events unaffected by the weather, point to another successful year for MOAA’s annual effort to educate the public and local elected officials about the value of the marina industry,” Frye said.

He further urged officials at the federal, state and local levels in the areas affected by the hurricane to immediately begin to offer relief to marina operators and other business owners affected. Frye also indicated that in the next few weeks, MOAA would be looking for ways to help elected officials speed aid to businesses impacted by Hurricane Charley.

“We need to immediately get aid to those businesses affected by this disaster,” Frye said.

Frye cited the following organizations for their outstanding support in promoting National Marina Day:

• Allatoona Marina Operators Association;

• Boat Owners Association of the United States;

• Connecticut Marine Trades Association;

• Kentucky Marina Association;

• Lake Erie Marine Trades Association;

• Marina Operators of Lake Lanier;

• Maine Marine Trades Association;

• Marina Association of Texas;

• Marine Industries Association of South Florida;

• Maryland Marine Trades Association;

• Massachusetts Marine Trades Association;

• Metro Atlanta Marine Trades Association;

• Midwest Marina Association;

• Michigan Boating Industries Association;

• National Marine Manufacturers Association;

• New Jersey Marine Trades Association;

• New York Marine Trades Association;

• Northern California Marine Association;

• Northwest Marine Trades Association;

• South Carolina Marine Association;

• Southwest Florida Marine Trades Association;

• States Organization for Boating Access;

• The Marina Recreation Association (CA);

• Tennessee Marina Association; and

• Tri-River Marine Trade Association.

“By promoting National Marina Day to their members, these national, state and regional associations helped move the cause of the American marina industry forward,” said Frye, “Next year I hope these organizations will join us again in promoting National Marina Day to their members and constituents.”

Frye thanked both the National Marina Day Committee and the sponsors of this year’s program for their time and financial support.

Serving on the 2004 National Marina Day Committee were:

• Ned Bass, Brady Mountain Resort and Marina, Royal, AR;

• Doris Carrillo-Dunn, RiverPoint Landing Marina Resort, Stockton, CA;

• Pegi Chamberlain, MacRay Harbor, Harrison Twp., MI;

• Tom Cox, CMM, Constitution Marina, Charlestown, MA;

• Philip Cox, Starboard Corporation, Branson, MO;

• Bob Evans, CMM Dillon Marina, Dillon, CO;

• Bob Faflik, CMM, Lakefront Marina, Port Clinton, OH;

• Gary Groenewold, CMM Harbour Towne Marina, Dania, FL;

• Megan Hiebert, Clinton Lake Marina, Lawrence, KS;

• Paul Hoffman, CMM, Schooner Island Marina, Wildwood, NJ;

• Dwight Jones, Elliot Bay Marina, Seattle, WA;

• Sue Kukuk, Nestegg Marina, Marinette, WI;

• Cris McSparen, CMM, Pensus Marinas, Peoria, AZ;

• Roxanne Rockvam, Rockvam Boat Yards, Inc., Spring Park, MN;

• Jim Schofield, BoatU.S., Alexandria, VA;

• John Schoppmann, CMM, Forever Resorts, Scottsdale, AZ;

• David Suthard, CMM, Northpoint Marina, Winthrop Harbor, IL;

• Dale Thomas, Laurel Marina & Yacht Club, Bristol, TN; and

• Mildred Walker, Lynn Creek Marina, Grand Prairie, TX.

Boating Industry magazine is the 2004 National Marina Day Media Partner. The following companies also gave their sponsorship to the event: Atlantic-Meeco Inc., Bellingham Marine, BoatU.S., EMP Industries, Inc., EZ-Dock Inc., Flagship Marinas, Formex Floats, HydroHoist International, Marinas International, Onyx-Mansfield Energy Services, Premier Materials Technology, Inc., ShoreMaster, Universal Insurance Services and ValvTect Petroleum Products.

National Marina Day 2005 will be celebrated on Saturday, August 13.

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