In Brief: Atlantic Marine, ValvTect Petroleum, Shakespeare, Detroit Boat Show, Shasta Lake Resorts LP, BoatU.S. Foundation

Atlantic Marine of Wrightsville Beach, N.C., recently hired Tom Harris as sales manager. Harris had previously served as general manager of Morehead Marine since 1998 and brings with him 11 years in the marine industry. In addition, Allen Pennington will join the Atlantic Marine Parts & Service department as parts manager. Pennington previously served as the parts manager for Crocker’s Marine since 1994 and brings with him 43 years experience in the marine industry. Richard Lane has been promoted to parts & service director. Lane had previously served as service manager. Since joining Atlantic Marine in 1994, he and his department staff have received numerous dealer awards and acquired Yamaha Five Star Service status.

ValvTect Petroleum has named Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor as the
2009 Certified ValvTect Marina of the Year. “Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor was selected because of their outstanding operation, total commitment to customer service, their community and environmental stewardship” said Jerry Nessenson, president of ValvTect Petroleum Products. “We want to congratulate Sean McKenna, Peter Sabo and their crew for establishing a truly outstanding property and their dedication to customer service.” Situated on Camachee Island outside historic St. Augustine, Florida, Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor has 260 wet slips that can accommodate vessels up to 150 feet. It was one of the first marinas in Florida to be designated a Clean Marina and features a hotel and three restaurants, a yacht club that dates back to the year 1876, an ASA certified sailing school, Tow Boat US, 50 ton travel lift, full service yacht yard and two boaters lounges. This year’s honorable mentions went to Channel Marine in Weirs Beach, N.H., and Aqua Marina Hidden Harbor in Aventura, Fla., which along with Camanchee Cove Yacht Harbor received their awards at the International Marina and Boatyard Conference in Tampa.

After serving 33-1/2 years as a Shakespeare independent sales representative, Gordon Clapper of GW Clapper and Associates has retired. Waters & David Co. will now take over the Shakespeare line of marine antennas in the Gulf States.

Management of the Michigan Boating Industries Association, the producers of the 52nd Annual Detroit Boat Show, stated there was an upswing in boat sales during the opening weekend of the nine-day event as a result of improved attitudes by consumers about spending discretionary dollars. Show management is attributing the improvement in consumer interest to pent-up demand. The Detroit Boat Show runs through February 21.

Shasta Lake Resorts LP, within the authorization of the USDA Forest Service, has initiated a yearlong Master Development Planning process that proposes to permanently consolidate many of their services and facilities located at Lakeview and Sugarloaf marinas to Jones Valley Marina, Shasta Lake Resorts original premier marina acquired in 1989, it reported. Consolidation of the three resorts would allow Jones Valley Resort to increase its luxury houseboat rental operation and potentially expand the existing full service amenities, the company stated. Up to 85 houseboats will be available to rent year round, including the 65-foot Titan. This merger would also create approximately 300 slips for private vessel owners, including concrete fingered houseboat moorage slips and covered small boat moorage slips. While the planning process is underway, Lakeview Marina will be in non-operational status and Sugarloaf Marina will offer reduced marina services, including private moorage. Jones Valley Marina will be open and operating as usual.

The BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water’s Grassroots Grant program offers individual grants of up to $4,000 for boating safety and clean water projects. However, to have a chance at funding, organizations need to apply by the Feb. 28 deadline. A total of $50,000 is available for this year. Groups interested in applying for one or more Grassroots Grants may go to www.BoatUS.com/Foundation/Grants to look at previous grant projects and photos, review current guidelines and frequently asked questions, and to apply online.

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