Newsletter May 2019

From the Captain's Chair: War of Will

MIASF’s Annual Dinner Meeting and Awards Ceremony held this month was a tremendous success and quite frankly, a lot of fun! Guests were attired in the true spirit of the event’s Derby theme and enjoyed a Preakness Stakes Viewing Party with Black-Eyed Susan signature cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres before entering the ballroom for the dinner, program, and entertainment.

Congratulations to MIASF’s new Board of Directors and Executive Officers, who were announced by outgoing chairman, David Reed, who also introduced a special “Year in Review” video highlighting our year-long calendar of events and activities. We also released the 2018-2019 Annual Report, which is available in print form or online.

The annual awards ceremony is an important part of our end-of-year celebration and acknowledges the respect and gratitude we have for the many industry and community leaders who positively impact our industry and community. With five categories and 15 honorees, we thanked outstanding community partners, elected officials, new projects, and stalwarts of the South Florida marine industry.

I was proud to participate with several others in a special video tribute to Frank and Gertrude Denison, who, as pioneers of the South Florida marine industry through their ownership and stewardship of Broward Marine, helped influence the extensive concentration of marine businesses that exist in Broward County to this day.

Looking ahead, I am delighted that James Maitland has joined the MIASF team as vice president and will be supporting the association’s current initiatives and advancing its positive impact on the marine industry and the community. Please be sure to congratulate James when you see him.

With the imminent launch of JoBarto, the new job board designed to amplify marine industry jobs and career paths using Salty Jobs branding, we anticipate the start of a national central depository for marine-related employees and employers to utilize going forward. Increased awareness and scrutiny, as well as funding for a study by the Florida Department of Transportation, will help move the infrastructure dialogue to the next level as we continue to identify a solution to increased passenger rail on the FEC Railroad bridge across the New River. And, we can anticipate a new look for FLIBS as SYBASS moves to the Superyacht Village and Pier Sixty-Six South gets activated.

I hope everyone enjoyed family and friends over the long Memorial Day weekend and took a moment to reflect on those members of our military forces who lost their life in defense of our freedom and liberty.

 

Phil Purcell
CEO/President, Marine Industries Association of South Florida

MIASF Business Spotlight: Yachting Magazine

Founded in 1907, Yachting magazine is one of the marine industry's oldest and most respected titles. In each issue, Yachting provides the passionate boater with content that educates and entertains, enhancing the boating experience. Expertly written articles reflect the spirit of the sea while preserving its traditions. Every month, more than 1.2 million readers enjoy award-winning, visually exciting coverage of premium yachts, technology, design, seamanship, destinations, electronics, equipment, exotic charters, current events and the history of the sport. It is Yachting magazine’s mission to enlighten and share in the heritage of yachting.

Faces in the Industry: Marieke van Peer, Seahaven Superyacht Marina

Tell us where you are from, what brought you to Florida, and how long you’ve lived here*
I have been fortunate and lived in quite a few countries, New Zealand, Australia, England and Singapore, as well as Holland where I was born. I still speak Dutch fluently albeit with a strong American accent. My accent when I speak English is a mixture of New Zealand, Australia, and a tiny bit of Dutch and confuses a lot of people

Where do you work, what is your job title, and what does your job entail?
I am Harbormaster at the newly built Seahaven Superyacht Marina in Dania. I’m a certified Marina Manager. I love managing marinas, having had the privilege of managing Island Gardens Deep Harbour (also a new build at the time) as well as stellar marinas like Miami Beach Marina and Bahia Mar. I oversee all the facility operations focusing on guest relations, marine safety, and maximizing the revenue of the marina.

How did you get initially become interested in the marine industry?
When I first moved to the United States from Holland I was living on a sailboat and after a stint in Fort Lauderdale on a canal, I ended up living aboard at Miami Beach Marina, where they offered me a job working front desk and the rest is history.

What is your favorite or most valuable benefit of membership in MIASF?
I really believe it is the backbone of the Marine Industry and is a great source of information for all. I also find the networking events to be very beneficial.

Describe some of the other community organizations or events that you are involved with or participate in.
I’m on the Board of MIASF as well as the Miami Marine Council, Global Marina Institute, and Association of Marina Industries where I received my CMM (Certified Marina Manager) certification.

Tell us about your hobbies and what kinds of things do you do for fun.
I’m not really someone who has hobbies, but I’ve got two fabulous dogs and I really love food, so any new restaurants or festivals generally get visited. I love short trips and try to travel whenever there is down time.

Meet James Maitland

James Maitland, formerly of Oceanmax International, took on the newly created MIASF vice president role as of May 15th. As national sales director for Oceanmax, worldwide distributors of Propspeed, James supported key distributors throughout the Americas, increasing brand awareness, growing target markets, increasing industry association involvement, and building the U.S.-based technical sales team.

Originally from Annapolis, Maryland, James began a nine-year career with West Marine in 2007 as the Port Supply Territory Manager for Maryland and Northern Virginia. He moved to Fort Lauderdale in 2013 to become West Marine Pro’s Port Supply Territory Manager for the Southeast Florida Market Team, the company’s largest market, before joining Oceanmax in 2016.

He served as president of the Young Professionals in Yachting from 2015 to 2018, has been a member of the U.S. Superyacht Association Board of Directors, a member of MIASF’s Marine Industry Day Committee, and an avid volunteer with the Freedom Waters Foundation, an organization that enhances the lives of individuals with special needs and veterans through providing therapeutic boat experiences.

2019-2020 MIASF Board of Directors

Congratulations to MIASF’s newly elected and re-elected board members and the executive officers who were announced by outgoing chairman, David Reed, at the MIASF Annual Dinner Meeting and Awards Ceremony.

• Newly elected: Graeme Lord/Fairport, Inc.
• Re-elected: Megan Lagasse Washington/Pier Sixty-Six; Marieke van Peer/Seahaven Superyacht Marina; James Brewer/Derecktor Shipyard
• Chairman: Jim Naugle/Lauderdale Boat Yard
• Vice Chairman: Doug West/Lauderdale Marine Center
• Secretary/Treasurer: Jimmie Harrison/Frank & Jimmie’s Propeller
• Immediate Past Chairman: David Reed/The Triton

Continuing on the board are Andrew Doole/Informa Exhibtions; Dean DuToit/National Marine Suppliers; Garnett Byrd/MarQuipt; Walter Duke III/Walter Duke + Partners; and Aaron Leatherwood/RMK Merrill-Stevens

Golden Anchor and Awards of Excellence

With the Golden Anchor Award and Awards of Excellence, MIASF recognizes individuals and businesses from the industry or in the community whose outstanding achievement and contributions represent excellence and have had positive and significant impacts on the South Florida recreational marine industry.

Individuals receiving the 2019 MIASF Award of Excellence included John Fiore from the Fort Lauderdale Marine Advisory Committee, Mike Busacca – chief operating officer of Fraser Yachts, and Jim Payne – Broward County Schools curriculum supervisor.

The Project of Excellence was awarded to Seahaven Superyacht Marina, and the Community Project of the Year award was presented to the MIASF Habitat for Humanity sponsors: High Seas Yacht Service, Boat Owners Warehouse, Frank & Jimmie’s Propeller, Neptune Boat Lifts, Ward’s Marine Electric, Advanced Mechanical Enterprises, and Centennial Bank. Marine Industry Advocacy Awards were presented to Rep. Holly Raschein (R-Key Largo), Sen. Lauren Book (D-Plantation), and Teye Reeves of Smith, Bryan & Myers.

The annual Golden Anchor Award was posthumously given to Frank and Gertrude Denison in recognition of their lifetime of industry contribution and achievement. The award was accepted by Denison family members after a touching video tribute honoring the history of Broward Marine and its impact on the South Florida marine industry.

Hire an Intern!

Broward County Schools will soon be closed for the summer hiatus, leaving many teenagers looking for a constructive place to work full- or part-time to learn a job, or more importantly, a skill. Sean Smith, MIASF director of development and host of Salty Jobs, has already begun interviewing local high school students with high aptitude and attitude, creating a qualified pool of pre-screened applicants for MIASF businesses to hire. As the marine industry, as well as other industries like construction and aviation, continues to be impacted by a lack of skilled workers, taking on a summer intern and teaching him or her valuable lessons now helps ensure a skilled workforce for the future. For more information, contact sean@miasf.org.

Last Call!

Any member who has not yet renewed their MIASF membership by paying the annual dues will be suspended and become archived in the database as of June 1st. Please make sure to check your membership status and act today to prevent any suspension of benefits.

National Safe Boating Week

The Safe Boating Campaign is a worldwide effort focused on responsible boating, encouraging boaters to always wear a life jacket while on the water. The annual campaign kicked off the weekend before Memorial Day with National Safe Boating Week and continues throughout the year.

The Safe Boating Campaign is led by the National Safe Boating Council, a leading catalyst for recreational boating safety through education, outreach and training, with support from boating safety advocates around the world. The campaign offers educational information and free resources to support local boating safety outreach efforts. It is produced under a grant from the Sports Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Congrats, Nicole!

Congratulations to MIASF’s Nicole Hoekstra for her recent appointment to the History Fort Lauderdale Board of Trustees. With a master’s degree in Historical Information and Public History and a certificate in museum studies, Nicole has a background in historic preservation and is passionate about preserving and sharing local history.

History Fort Lauderdale, formerly Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, believes that a sense of history is fundamental to understanding human experience, and therefore, collects preserves and shares material from our community's past, so that present and future generations can comprehend more fully their predecessors, their community and themselves.

Did You Know?

MIASF Members can add up to three additional contacts in the online directory by logging in to their bundle administrator account.

Upcoming Events

National Marina Days – launches Memorial Day and extends through Labor Day
National Marina Days is a nationwide boating event dedicated to grow boating participation across North America. Marinas collaborate to hold events to introduce the public to boating through on-water and land-side activities at marinas in every corner of the country. This event is run in partnership with National Great Outdoors Month!

Hall of Fame Marina will be honoring veterans at this year’s event on June 22. Veterans and guests will enjoy a cruise on the catamaran “Spirit of Lauderdale”, followed by a BBQ lunch at G&B Restaurant with several dynamic guest speakers including Fort Lauderdale’s City Mayor. All monies raised through sponsorship and a special raffle will benefit Dive4Vets, established to assist combat-wounded service members and their families in overcoming mental and physical combat injuries through therapeutic scuba diving. Call 954-764-3975 for more information.

Save the date for MIASF's next Better Business Breakfast on June 25th at 8:30am at The Flagship Room at MIASF. There will be a panel discussion on the topic of sea level rise and registration will open in early June.

Past Events

Maritime Monday on May 6th was held on the New River at the Boathouse at the Riverside with a special Turquoise Takeover theme in support of the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE campaign to spread lung cancer awareness during the week of May 12th – 18th. Many thanks to all who attended and sported turquoise clothing or accessories and additional thanks to those who made a donation.

MIASF Annual Meeting
MIASF held its Annual Dinner Meeting and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 18th at the Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach. More than 200 members and guests in Derby-themed attire packed the Preakness Stakes Viewing Party during cocktail hour before moving to the elegantly decorated ballroom for the evening’s dinner and festivities.

Steve Shapiro, WSVN 7 NEWS weekday sports anchor, served as master of ceremonies and kept the event moving smoothly throughout the presentations. The 2019-2020 MIASF Board of Directors was announced and the annual Golden Anchor and Awards of Excellence were presented to this year’s winners.

Phil Purcell discussed the year in review and introduced the association’s newly appointed vice president, James Maitland, formerly of Oceanmax. Additionally, the winner of the Frank Herhold Memorial Scholarship, Morgan Short from Nova Southeastern University’s Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanology, was recognized for her work on corals.

Special video presentations included an MIASF Year in Review compilation, a Salty Jobs sizzle reel, and a tribute to Frank and Gertrude Denison, posthumous winners of the Golden Anchor Award, for their contribution to the marine industry through Broward Marine.

With many guests suggesting at the end of the evening that this was MIASF’s best Annual Meeting yet and questioning how we might top it, we say, Challenge Accepted! Mark your calendars for next year, Saturday, May 16, 2020, at the Marriott Harbor Beach Hotel to celebrate our 60th Anniversary!

American Boating Congress
National Marine Manufacturers Association’s American Boating Congress was held on May 13th through 15th in Washington. D.C. MIASF staff members, Lori Wheeler and Patience Cohn, attended informative workshops and plenary sessions, as well as visited elected officials, staff members, and regulatory agencies on issues that impact recreational boating.

Welcome Aboard New Members!

MARINE INDUSTRY MEMBERS:

Fraser Yachts Florida, Inc.
Mike Busacca
Email: Mike.busacca@fraseryachts.com
Website: www.fraseryachts.com
1800 SE 10th Ave., Suite 400
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Phone: 954-463-0600
Company Description: As a world-leader in yacht chartering, brokerage, yacht management and new builds, our experience, track record and portfolio are unchallenged. This position and our long heritage are a great source of pride, but we’re prouder still of our people. Every member of our expert team is committed to providing you with the highest quality service that is absolutely transparent and reliable. In the world of yachting, you could have no better qualified or trustworthy partner than Fraser.

Horizon Naval Architects
Dan Hanes
Email: dhanes@horizon-na.com
Website: www.horizon-na.com
760 Taylor Lane, Suite 2
Dania Beach, FL 33004
Phone: 954-727-1880
Company Description: Horizon's mission is to deliver state-of-the-art naval architecture, system engineering, analytical tools, and integrated performance optimization services. Horizon provides technical design, survey, and project management services for new builds and major refits across multiple industry segments.

Lewis Marine Supply
Stefanie Hingley
Email: stefanie.hingley@lewismarine.com
Website: www.lewismarine.com
220 SW 32rd St.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
Phone: 954-523-3271
Company Description: For over 60 years, Lewis Marine Supply has been the “go-to” for quality marine supply build and repair parts. Our founders Jim and Alice Lewis believed in exceptional customer service and coined the phrase “For Service Supreme call Lewis Marine”.
We started and continue to operate at 220 SW 32nd St in Fort Lauderdale. Our commitment to customers and the marine industry has allowed us to grow to our current 85,000 square feet facility. We provide over 20,000 products purchased from 300+ marine manufacturers.
From 1956 to 2019 our commitment remains the same: “For service supreme call Lewis Marine”

Matthews Marine Air Conditioning, Inc.
Richard Pinnell
Email: info@matthewsmarineac.com
Website: www.matthewsmarineac.com
2520 SW 3rd Ave.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
954-761-3840
Company Description: Matthews Marine A/C specializes in air conditioning and refrigeration systems for the Yachting community, providing our customers with superior quality in sales, service, parts and installation in the tri-county area. We provide custom designed chillers and refrigeration systems upon request.

Steele Rubber Products
Brian Moyer
Email: alaney@steelerubber.com
Website: www.marine.steelerubber.com
6180 E. NC 150 Hwy
Denver, NC 28037
888-834-7833
Company Description: Manufacturer and supplier of marine seals and weatherstipping for doors, windows, hatches, rub rails, and more.

Tech Marine Systems
Franco Sgalla
Email: franco@techmarinesystems.com
Website: www.techmarinesystems.com
3846 SW 30th Ave.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
954-990-4886
Company Description: We are a company, with over 75 years combined experience, of unrivaled engineers, designers and technicians dedicated to meeting the needs and exceeding the expectations of our customers. We are experts in systems integration, public address, CCTV, data networks, additional diesel generators, complete entertainment solutions and fuel savings. We are dedicated to true craftsmanship, sustainability and the latest digital technologies. TMS has the experience and skills to help you with your most difficult projects in a collaborative manner ensuring you can focus on your customers.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS:

The Rapacke Law Group, P.A.
Andrew Rapacke
Email: Andy@arapackelaw.com
Website: www.arapackelaw.com
1840 N. Pine Island Road
Plantation, FL 33322
954-951-0124
Company Description: Intellectual property law firm specializing in patents, trademarks, and intellectual property litigation.

For information on joining MIASF, email Sean Smith at sean@miasf.org.