Weekly 5: Jury awards $15 million in Brunswick, Baja boat fire case

The BI Weekly 5 is a collection of tips, news and data affecting the boating industry this week. Be sure to look for the BI Weekly 5 every Tuesday on BoatingIndustry.com.

1. Jury awards $15 million in Brunswick, Baja boat fire case

A Missouri man injured in a 2010 boat fire on the Lake of the Ozarks has won a jury verdict of $15 million in his suit against Brunswick Corp., Baja Marine Corp. and Leisure Hotels LLC.

Donald Black was severely burned when his 2000 Baja 38 Special caught on fire during fueling at Camden on the Lake hotel and marina. The plaintiff alleged that defective design in the boat caused fuel to be pumped into the hull instead of fuel tank.

2. Lawsuit threatened over EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard delay

The American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers has filed a notice of intent to sue the Environmental Protection Agency over its decision to delay setting standards for ethanol levels in fuel until 2015, The Hill reports.

“At this point we have no choice but to take the matter to court. Today, obligated parties are left to sit and wait for EPA to not only propose the 2015 standard, but to actually issue a final rule for 2014, which we now know that EPA has no intention of doing until sometime in 2015,” Charles Drevna, president of AFPM, told the paper.

Many groups in the marine industry have also expressed their disappointment in the delay, which was announced last month.

3. Denison Yacht Sales accepting digital Bitcoins currency

Florida-based Denison Yacht Sales has announced that it will now accept Bitcoins, a popular “cyber currency,” for purchases of its used and new yachts.

“We need to be present and available to all potential clients in all marketplaces and if a client wants to pay with Bitcoins, we are now positioned to handle the transaction,” Bob Denison, president of Denison Yacht Sales, said in a statement. “With the sale of just one medium sized yacht using this currency, we would be poised to make the largest Bitcoin transaction in history.”

4. Federal government announces new bluefin tuna rules

Under new rules announced Monday, commercial vessels will face new restrictions in how they fish for bluefin tuna.

Under the restrictions, long line fishing will be banned during certain times of the year, and more reporting and monitoring will be required.

5. Understanding Facebook ad changes

Do you use Facebook ads to drive traffic to your business? In this article Social Media Examiner offers tips in navigating the latest changes at the social media giant.

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