Boating Industry Intelligence You Can Profit From
Traverse City, Mich.-based Global Marine Insurance Agency is celebrating 20 years in business. Originally founded by Mike Smith and Pam Stanley in 1989 as a division of the former Guyot, Hicks, Anderson Insurance Agency, today, along with current partners Matt Anderson and Bill Anderson, the company has grown into one of the largest independent marine specialty agencies in the country with more than 20,000 boaters as clients. The company employs 38 professionals who sell marine insurance related products in all lower 48 states and Alaska.
Digital Era Media Inc. has released a new version of Boatdealers.ca, a Canadian “boats for sale” Web site. The improvements include a new look, search engine, photo gallery and additional boat classification, according to the company. It said there are over 20,000 boats listed for sale on Boatdealers.ca, with current traffic levels in excess of 100,000 unique boating consumers a month; an increase of over 45 percent for the same period last year.
The International Marina Institute, a subsidiary of the Association of Marina Industries, has opened registration for its third annual Southeast Florida Marina Study Tour, Oct. 28–29, it reported in a statement today. This year’s two-day Study Tour stops at seven facilities in southeast Florida: Rybovich, Palm Harbor, Aquamarina Hidden Harbour, Pier 66, Lauderdale Marine Center, Lauderdale Marina, and the Port Condominiums, which features the Vertical Yachts storage system. For more information or to register, visit www.marinaassociation.org/certification.php and click on the Study Tour link.
Newcoast Financial Services, a finance firm specializing in the marine industry, has launched a new Web site: Newcoast.com, it reported in a recent statement. Visitors to the firm’s new Web site will be able to learn about available services, find a local contact, ask questions, submit a loan application, and more.
OceanLED has appointed Brunswick Marine Parts and Accessories (P&A) (Land ‘N’ Sea Distributing, Kellogg Marine and Diversified Marine) to take on national distribution of its LED underwater and above-water lighting products, it reported in a recent statement. OceanLED said it has been awarded a contract for its new OceanLED Amphibian line with Sea Ray boats for supplying its underwater lighting options. This took place following a Brunswick testing and evaluation process that took nearly two years, according to the company.
The Green Boating Zone will return to this year’s 44th annual Tampa Boat Show, offering a preview of new green boats and boating accessories, including the Endeavour Green Electric Hybrid Boat, Fuel Medics Fuel Additive Solution, JSI Solar Panel and Wind Generator, Lumberock Premium Decking, Peterson Marine Spectra Solar Cube, Sealand Environmental Hydrogen Kit and Thetford Cleaning Products. For a complete list of products featured in this year’s Green Boating Zone, visit TampaBoatShow.com.
Vicem Yachts USA – the U.S. sales and service operation for Turkish luxury classic motor yacht builder Vicem Yachts – has moved its sales office to a more central location within downtown Newport, Rhode Island. Vicem’s new office is now located at Brown & Howard Wharf at: 411 Thames Street, Unit 3, Newport, RI 02840. The phone number for the Vicem Newport office remains the same. Michael Landsberg, President of Vicem Yachts USA, said the company will be able to better serve its clientele from its new, more convenient location, which is at the same facility where its yachts are in-water.
Dates for the 2010 Charleston and Savannah Boat Shows have been set by JBM & Associates, Show Management and Event Marketing Company. The 30th Annual Charleston Boat Show will be held Jan. 22-24 at the North Charleston Convention Center. The 8th annual Savannah International Boat Show is scheduled for Feb. 26-28 at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center.
The Anglers’ Legacy program continues to gain momentum from a new BoatU.S. partnership, the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) reported in a statement today. BoatU.S., a national association of recreational and fishing boat owners, will utilize online Web banners, print public service announcements (PSAs) and their member newsletters to help promote Anglers’ Legacy, a program that encourages avid boaters and anglers to introduce someone new to the sport. In addition, BoatU.S. Angler, a program that offers benefits and services geared specifically toward anglers, will offer a discounted membership to Ambassadors this year. BoatU.S. said it expects to generate 1,000 new Ambassadors over the coming year by carrying the Anglers’ Legacy message in its publications and on its Web site. In addition, Anglers’ Legacy Ambassadors will be offered a special discounted membership from BoatU.S. Angler, a 35 percent savings, and the first 50 to sign up will receive a free set of fishing pliers.
Parker Energy Systems has signed on Martin Flory Group to handle its public relations in an effort to gain more ground in North America, the PR firm reported in a statement today. Based in New Britain, Conn., Parker Energy Systems is a division of Parker Hannifin Corp. that is dedicated to developing fluidic management solutions – including the prevention of diesel fuel contamination – for a range of industries and markets.
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