Newsletter March 2019


From The Captain's Chair

From The Captain's Chair

March-2019



From the Captain's Chair: State of the County

More than 1,000 business and community leaders and elected officials from Broward County and South Florida gathered on Friday, March 15th for Broward
Workshop's 11th Annual State of the County Forum. It was heartening to hear Broward County’s Mayor, Mark Bogen, and the Florida Chamber Foundation executive vice president, Tony Carvajal, include the marine industry and its economic impact in their respective speeches to the invitation-only crowd.

Additionally, the keynote speaker, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, dedicated a portion of his address on the need for apprenticeship programs and an emphasis on building the trades skills workforce on which the marine industry is so reliant; a message that is relentlessly echoed within MIASF’s Workforce and Education Committee and through the Salty Jobs video series.

MIASF recently executed a Memorandum of Understanding with five separate associations to promote the Salty Jobs series by sharing the episodes in  electronic newsletters, on social media networks, with members, and at speaking opportunities. Working with the United States Superyacht Association, the Palm Beach Marine Industries Association, South Florida Manufacturers Association, the International Yacht Brokers Association, and the International Superyacht Society, MIASF is expecting Salty Jobs to become the voice of the marine industry workforce and job market. Through this collaborative effort the opportunities for students, young adults, parents, and others to view the series, which showcases the full gamut of marine industry jobs, will increase substantially, as will the awareness of the industry’s economic contribution to South Florida.

The 23rd Annual Plywood Regatta, another fantastic opportunity to reach the next generation of marine industry blue collar, white collar, and entrepreneurial workers, will take place on April 6th and 7th in Dania Beach. I invite everyone to come out and spend a few hours witnessing the enthusiasm of the kids, the dedication of the mentors, and the generosity of the sponsors and volunteers for this two-day boat building and racing event.

The ability to change, adapt, and evolve in business is incredibly important as entire industries continue to be impacted and disrupted. Informa’s announcement regarding the creation of the Superyacht Village at FLIBS in 2019 is a perfect example of this and taking advantage of the opportunity at Pier Sixty-Six Hotel and Marina allows for additional activation for attendees and exhibitors alike.

As we prepare for our Board of Director elections coming up in April, we anticipate great leadership serving the association and encourage all regular voting members to participate in the election process.


MIASF Business Spotlight: Jerry's Marine Service

MIASF Business Spotlight: Jerry's Marine Service

In 1972, Joe and Helen Lewis teamed up with friend Bobby Laborde to purchase Jerry’s Marine, an inboard engine sales and service dealership. They  transformed the company into a distributorship specializing in marine engines, parts, transmissions, steering systems, and remote controls. By the late 1970s, Jerry's Marine was a pioneer in the development of the marine aftermarket parts industry, where it has held the lead position for more than 30 years. With warehouses in Fort Lauderdale, Charleston, S.C., and Lakewood, N.J., it covers the East Coast from the Florida Keys to Maine. Jerry's Marine Service is one of the largest marine engine and parts distributors in the Eastern United States, with the resources to ship products quickly to any destination, anywhere
around the world. Jerry's stocks hundreds of engines and transmissions and thousands of related parts from over 150 manufacturers and the knowledgeable sales staff is recruited from the marine industry so they are always ready to help make informed purchasing decisions.


Faces in the Industry: Christie Harrison, Frank & Jimmie's Propeller

Faces in the Industry: Christie Harrison, Frank & Jimmie's Propeller

Tell us where you are from, what brought you to Florida, and how long you’ve lived here*.
I was born and raised here in beautiful, sunny Fort Lauderdale! I moved to Tallahassee to attend Florida State University- graduating with a degree in Retail Merchandise and Product Development. While I truly enjoyed my time in Tallahassee (and traveling to other destinations), I am happy to be living back down south. There really is no place like home!

Where do you work, what is your job title, and what does your job entail?
I work at Frank & Jimmie’s Propeller doing sales and customer service- everything from answering phones and helping customers at the counter, to writing up propellers for repair and sizing new propellers. Frank & Jimmie’s is a family business for me- started by my grandfather 72 years ago and taken over by
my father, Jimmie, in 1992, I hope to follow in their footsteps one day.

How did you initially become interested in the marine industry?
The marine industry has always been part of my life. Growing up on the in “the Venice of America”, loving the water and boating is in my blood- I grew up boating and never plan to stop!

What is your favorite or most valuable benefit of membership in MIASF?
The connections/friendships I’ve made, the networking opportunities and resources available, and the committees I’ve been able to join. The more I get involved with MIASF, the more I fall in love with the marine industry and the people in it.

Describe some of the other community organizations or events that you are involved with or participate in.
I love getting involved in the marine industry outside of work. Helping with the Habitat for Humanity builds and the Plywood Regatta event, cheering for my dad and FJ Race team with Super Boat International, and going on Florida Powerboat Club poker runs… to name a few!

Tell us about your hobbies and what kinds of things you do for fun.
When I’m not working, I enjoy spending my free time with family- out on the boat, traveling to new cities, and trying new restaurants (big plus if they’re dog friendly!).


Congrats to Our Intern, Megan Piggott!

Congrats to Our Intern, Megan Piggott!

Congratulations to MIASF Intern, Megan Piggott, for winning the 2019 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship Elite 90 award! The announcement was made at the Elite Eight banquet in Columbus, Ohio, where the Nova Southeastern University women’s basketball team was preparing to play against the number one ranked Drury Panthers. Megan has already earned a bachelor's degree in business administration with a minor in sport management with a 4.0
cumulative GPA, is currently working on her MBA, and continues to impress with a 4.0 graduate GPA. According to NSU’s website, the Elite 90, an award founded by the NCAA, recognizes the true essence of the studentathlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The Elite 90 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's championships.


Broward Days

Broward Days

As leaders of the Broward Days Marine Industry Impact Team, MIASF was represented in Tallahassee March 12th and 13th, meeting with members of the  House and Senate, as well as agency heads, including Kevin Thibault/Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation, Dana Young/Secretary of Visit
Florida, and Jamal Sowell, president/CEO of Enterprise Florida, to discuss issues of importance to the marine industry, such as a reduction in the current sales tax cap on refit and repair, a transportation study regarding the need for a 45’ bascule bridge over the New River to accommodate high-speed commuter rail
and potentially Tri-Rail Coastal Link, and a funding request for the Marine Research Hub. The Florida Legislative Session ends May 3rd.


New River Pedestrian Crossing

New River Pedestrian Crossing

A March 14th Florida Department of Transportationkick-off meeting for the New River Pedestrian Crossing was abruptly cancelled on March 6th after the much-maligned project received an overwhelmingly negative response from the community, the marine industry, and the Fort Lauderdale City Commission. The brief memorandum sent to property owners and other interested stakeholders cancelled the scheduled kick-off meeting and any continuation of the Project Development and Environment Study, ending further progress for the project. MIASF’s vocal opposition to any additional impediment to the safe navigation of the New River helped to influence the decision and created the opportunity to continue the conversation regarding the need for infrastructure improvements to accommodate the additional commuter rail along the FEC Railroad corridor.


MIASF Board of Directors Nominations

MIASF Board of Directors Nominations

The MIASF Nominating Committee has identified its slate of candidates for the Board of Directors 2019/2020 term. In addition to the slate approved by the current Board of Directors, nominations will be accepted from the regular voting members until April 8th.

In order to be added to the slate of candidates put before the regular voting members, each nomination must have the signatures of five regular voting members in support of the nomination. However, each nomination for Chairman, Vice Chairman, or Secretary/Treasurer submitted by a regular voting
member to be added to the slate shall require the following:

• the nominee submitted must be a current or former member of the Board of Directors
• the nominee submitted must provide an agreement in writing to serve in the position if elected
• the submitted nomination must include the signatures of ten (10) regular voting members in support of this nomination

The official ballot will be sent to regular voting members via email on April 19th.


Save the Date! MIASF Annual Meeting and Dinner Dance

Save the Date! MIASF Annual Meeting and Dinner Dance

Mark your calendar for the MIASF Annual Meeting and Dinner Dance on May 18th at the Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach. We will start the evening at 6:00 p.m. with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, conduct the annual meeting and awards ceremony, announce the winners of the Board of Directors election, enjoy a  masterful culinary experience, and then dance the night away. Make it a staycation on the beach and take advantage of the special group room rate of $299.

Click here to book a room before the April 18th deadline. Table sponsorships are now available. Contact nicole@miasf.org to reserve a sponsored table now!


Announcing New Superyacht Village at FLIBS

Announcing New Superyacht Village at FLIBS

Informa U.S. Boat Shows, in cooperation with Tavistock Development Company and MIASF, has announced the debut of Superyacht Village, a new dedicated marina and on-land exhibition space that will display some of the most spectacular yachts in the show. Making its debut in time for the show October 30 – November 3, Superyacht Village will be hosted at Pier Sixty-Six Hotel & Marina at its new “Pier South” property, which is adjacent to the southeast corner of the 17th Street Causeway Bridge in Fort Lauderdale.

One of the only venues in Fort Lauderdale that can host vessels up to 400 feet, the 3.5-acre Superyacht Village will be framed by exhibits by renowned shipyards, helicopters, personal submarines, and exotic and collectible automobiles. Plans include a destination restaurant, reserved parking, valet, and private water tender services.

As part of the show’s 60th anniversary celebration, the Superyacht Village also will feature programming taking place both day and night. Examples include exclusive fine wine and champagne tastings, intimate concerts, pop-up luxury fashion and jewelry exhibits, automotive and superyacht toy interactives, award receptions, seminars, and the second annual FLIBS Best Yacht Chef Competition.

The Superyacht Village will be open to all general admission ticket holders with direct access by water tenders and shuttle bus routes from the show’s other six locations.


Member News

Member News

The Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Inc. (MIAPBC) announces that Executive Director Chuck Collins has retired after spending four years at the helm of the Association.

With more than 10 years of service to the Association, Alyssa Freeman has been promoted to executive director. Freeman, 32, is the youngest serving executive director for the MIAPBC. She began her career with the Association shortly after completing her B.A. in Communication from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. While growing up in Michigan, Alyssa and her family enjoyed summers spent boating. In 2017, she completed her MBA in Organizational Leadership from Ashford University. Freeman is married with two daughters and lives in Royal Palm
Beach. With four years of service, Stephanie Brown has been promoted to operations director. In 2018, Brown completed her B.S. in Business Management from Palm Beach State College. She currently resides in Boynton Beach.

National Marine Suppliers presented a check worth more than $49,000 dollars to the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation. The donation was raised through the company’s fundraising events, including a poker run prior to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and a gala dinner during the show. Counting this check, National Marine Suppliers events have raised nearly $300,000 for the charity.

RMK Merrill-Stevens is adding a new Electronic Systems Division to the company as technological advances continue to integrate into the DNA of vessels of all sizes. To lead the new wing of the shipyard, the company has hired experienced electronic systems integrator, David Gratton, who will oversee and manage the division. Gratton is a new RMK Merrill-Stevens employee with a long, successful track record in the electronics industry. Gratton’s career in electronics began in 1980 upon entering the U.S. Air Force. David later worked on the environmental testing of NASA components for Teledyne Systems Company. Gratton has specialized in navigation, communications, and audio-visual, IT/networking, and PLC systems for commercial and recreational vessels

Brownie's Marine Group, Inc., a leading developer, manufacturer, and distributor of highly specialized dive and safety products, announced that it had ordered parts necessary to commence the first production run of its breakthrough dive development stage product "NEMO," which is an ultra-portable, compact, affordable, and easy-to-use dive system. NEMO was engineered to revolutionize the 100-year old sport of snorkeling. The 1-1/4-pound submersible battery
pack powers the automatic air delivery system for an average of an hour. Multiple patent applications, both foreign and domestic are in process to potentially protect this industry disrupting technology out into the year 2038 and beyond. The Company formed a subsidiary BLU3, Inc. to develop and market new electric-shallow dive systems that are meant for the recreational diving population, including NEMO. The Company also displayed the first NEMO prototype at the largest and most important marine industry's international conference, the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association Conference ("DEMA Show") held in November 2018 in Las Vegas, NV.

Do you have news you want to share? Send updates to pr@miasf.org to be considered for publication in upcoming issues of the newsletter.


Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

No fooling - April’s Maritime Monday will be held on April 1st from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Bar Rita, 1401 Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale. Come out
and enjoy the friendly, upscale ambience of this Mexican-themed indoor restaurant and roof-top bar and network with marine industry colleagues. MIASF will buy the first drink for members and their guest and provide light-bites. We “pity the fool” who misses this one!

The 23rd Annual Plywood Regatta will be held Saturday, April 6th and Sunday April 7th in Dania Beach, with approximately 35 teams of middle school, high school, and technical school students designing, building, painting, and racing their plywood creations. Each team needs the oversight of a dedicated mentor
to guide the students and help ensure a safe experience. The weekend is filled with incredible teaching and learning moments, as well as team-building and camaraderie. Volunteers are needed! Be a part of building boating’s future and sign-up today! To learn more about mentor and volunteer opportunities,
visit www.plywoodregatta.org.

The Refit International Exhibition & Conference will be held on April 10th and 11th at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Center. This annual marine industry trade show combines exhibits, seminars, and demonstrations for yacht and boat refit and repair professionals. On April 10th at 8:30 a.m. MIASF’s CEO/president, Phil Purcell, will be presenting Materials and Industry Drivers Over the Decades: a discussion of the manufacturers and influencers of
previous generations and how disruption will dictate the next generation of boats and boat owners. Additionally, for the second year, MIASF’s Workforce/Education Committee Elevator Pitch Competition finals, where junior and senior students are given one minute to sell themselves for a career in the marine industry, will be held on April 11th. The top 20 students will give their presentations and the top student will receive a scholarship toward post high school education. For more information click here.

REMINDER: The U.S. Coast Guard Foundation dinner to honor members of the 7th District that was postponed in January due to the partial government shutdown has been rescheduled for April 18th at the Pier Sixty-Six Hotel. MIASF has secured a number of seats for purchase at a discounted price of $350 per person. Contact patience@miasf.org to reserve a seat!


Past Events

Past Events

On March 2nd more than 1,400 volunteers participated in the 42nd Broward County Waterway Cleanup, the county’s largest and longest-running environmental event. Presented by the Florida Inland Navigation District (F.I.N.D.) and organized by MIASF, the Broward County Waterway Cleanup resulted in the collection of 35 tons of trash and debris from 38 sites across the county. Volunteers, ranging in age from one to 87, participated on land and in water with 161 vessels, including boats, kayaks, and paddleboards.

MIASF Event Coordinator, Nicole Hoekstra, noted that many long-term volunteers commented that the waterways are getting cleaner. Following the cleanup, volunteers were invited to attend the Trash Bash Thank You party sponsored by 4Ocean where participants were treated to live music, free food and beverages, and more than a dozen raffle prizes. In addition to the Waterway Cleanup, MIASF hosted middle school and high school recycled-art, essay, and short-story contests each year. Multiple scholarships are awarded during the Trash Bash, and this year’s winners are:

• $500 Essay Contest Winner: Henry Hill of South Broward High School
• $250 Short Story Contest Winner: Rachel Rubinstein of New River Middle School
• $250 High School Recycled-Art Contest Winners: Cali Harris of South Broward High School and Yingying Zhu of Pines Charter High School
• $250 Middle School Recycled-Art Contest Winner: Connor Fahy of New River Middle

Sponsors of the Broward County Waterway Cleanup included Broward County , JM Family Enterprises, National Save the Sea Turtles Foundation, FB Marine Group, Harbour Towne Marina, Oakland Park, Trac Ecological, Derecktor Shipyard, Lauderdale Isles Water Management District, The Chappell Group, Dometic, Coastal Tank, Boatsetter, Environmental Marine, Margate Waterfront Foundation, City of Margate, Wright Maritime Group, Coral Springs Improvement District, Gold Coast Marine Distributors, Lauderdale Small Boat Club, City of Fort Lauderdale, Bluewater Yachting (USA), Pier 66 Marina, Dumpster King, and Rush Roll-off and Recycling.

Volunteers are encouraged to mark their calendars for next year’s Broward County Waterway Cleanup on Saturday, March 7th. For more information, visit www.waterwaycleanup.org.


Last month’s Maritime Monday was held at the ever-popular Riverside Market South in Fort Lauderdale on March 4th. More than 30 members and guests mingled and munched on hummus crudité and queso dip while networking in a friendly and casual environment.


Welcome Aboard New Members!

Welcome Aboard New Members!

MARINE INDUSTRY MEMBERS:

Elite Marine AC
Michele Caspari
Email: Michele@elitemarineyachts.com
Website: www.elitemarineyachts.com
1957 S. Andrews Ave.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Phone: 954-763-9677
Company Description: Marine air conditioning and refrigeration. Full-service company.

Atlantic Radio Telephone, Inc.
Ysora Waugh
Email: ysora@Atlanticrt.com
Website: www.atlanticrt.com
2494 NW 35th Ave.
Miami, FL 33142
Phone: 305-633-9636
Company Description: Atlantic Radio Telephone has been providing the marine community navigation and communication solutions since 1976. We have completed over 2,000 installation projects and have a top notch, factory certified technical service and installation team with decades of experience. We are an
authorized serving dealer for top brands with a knowledgeable sales staff available to guide you to the proper solution to meet your needs. Our Customer Care team is available by phone seven days a week, including holidays. We are committed to being there for you when you need us.

 

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