Nationwide Boater101 dealer program begins

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Marine University has begun the national rollout of its Boater101 Program for dealers, the organization reported in a release yesterday.

Marine University is offering the first online training sessions in June for dealers who intend to use the Boater101 safety course in dealerships around the nation. The organization also offers personal “train the trainers” instruction from one of its course instructors who travel to the dealership. A schedule of training courses can be viewed at www.marineuniversity.org.

The Boater101 course, taught at local dealerships, is a U.S. Coast Guard and NASBLA-approved boating safety course that is recognized nationwide. Graduates are often eligible to receive up to a 10 percent discount on boat insurance. Marine University and its partners are also working with boating law administrators to customize the program to meet the regulations of individual states.

“We thought there would be no better time to offer our certified boating safety course to dealers than during National Safe Boating Week,” said Susan Engle, Marine University president. “We believe that it accomplishes two missions: It allows dealers to offer a NASBLA-approved boating safety course in their own dealerships, and it gives new boaters and children a solid knowledge of the rules of the road.”

Manufacturers and dealers participating in the pilot program were pleased with the results, and consumer feedback was strong.

“We see it as a tremendous opportunity for boating customers, our dealers and the industry,” said Dave Taylor, US Marine’s senior vice president of sales and marketing. “We have been behind the program from the beginning, working with our dealers in South Florida during the pilot program, and now partnering with more than 20 US Marine dealers from across the country.”

Other manufacturers like Formula, Four Winns, and Volvo Penta have also experienced positive results with their dealers. “It can be used to sway reluctant first-time buyers to make the leap,” said Clint Moore, CEO of Volvo Penta of the Americas. “It can also build on the relationship with their customers by providing valuable training.”

Marine University certifies dealership personnel so that they can teach the Boater101 course to their customers or other interested participants.

“We see this course as another value-added for the dealership,” said Engle. “Not only can they offer in-house boating safety courses, but the staff can create a stronger relationship with the customers.”

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