Newsletter January 2021

From the Captain's Chair: Looking Forward to the Year Ahead

With 2020 in the rearview mirror and the unsettled first weeks of 2021 behind us, it is a pleasure to look forward with excitement to the year ahead. Several recent developments remind me that the marine industry is of critical importance to South Florida and the entire state.

The Marine Industry is an Asset-Class Investment

While so many industries experienced a dramatic downturn in 2020, the marine industry held its own and, indeed, flourished in the face of adversity. We demonstrated that ours was an essential industry, and our incredible workforce delivered across the board. Sales actually increased throughout last year.

All this growth did not go unnoticed by global investors. They rushed to secure their spot in the South Florida boating market via strategic acquisitions. The purchase of a majority stake in Boats Group by Permira Funds, a global investment group; Boat Owners Warehouse by a private entrepreneur; Rybovich SuperYacht Marina by Safe Harbors Marinas, LLC; and Roscioli Yachting Center by OneWater Marine, Inc. all evidence the confidence investors have in the South Florida marine industry.

As the industry stands poised to continue unparalleled growth in the years ahead, we can expect this type of continued interest from global investors and the continued classification of the marine industry as an asset-class investment.

Strength in Unity

We’re all familiar with the ever-changing landscape of South Florida boat shows. From the Miami International Boat Show moving to Key Biscayne a few years back to the Miami Yacht Show’s relocation to downtown Miami in 2019, one thing is certain – nothing stays the same. With these changes came unavoidable, but not unexpected, growing pains.

With two shows spread out across the metro Miami area during the same time, attendees felt the inconvenience of trying to soak up the offerings in disparate venues. Likewise, manufacturers and dealers faced tough decisions when allocating manpower and resources to maintain a presence at competing shows. Not an ideal situation.

Demonstrating that our industry is stronger when we stand together, Informa Markets, a global leader in producing branded events, and the National Marine Manufacturers Association, producer of the Miami International Boat Show, joined forces to combine MIB and MYS into a singular event in 2022. With Informa’s unparalleled expertise in executing world-class events, the new format of the combined shows will meet the needs of all involved.

The Numbers Look Great

Numbers don’t lie. Despite unique challenges in 2020, Florida’s marine industry remained an essential and growing component of the state’s overall economy.

The marine industry was responsible for more than 270,000 thousand jobs throughout Florida in 2020. Broward remained the statewide industry leader, representing 121,000 jobs and $9.7 billion in output. Together with Palm Beach and Dade, the tri-county area was responsible for 149,000 marine industry jobs and more than one-half the state’s total output in 2020.

With outdoor recreation making up 4.3 percent of Florida’s Gross Domestic Product, and boating representing a robust 50 percent of outdoor recreation in the state, one thing is certain. The Florida marine industry is – and will continue to be – a force to be reckoned with.

We look forward to leading the charge.

Phil Purcell

CEO/President, Marine Industries Association of South Florida

Advocacy Report

This month the US Coast Guard held a Port Everglades Harbor Safety Committee meeting via Zoom. There was an interesting NOAA presentation on hurricane seasons past and future. A record-breaking 30 named storms this past season was alarming. There is optimism for less activity this coming season. Port Everglades gave a presentation on the widening and dredging project which is moving forward with significant progress being made. Port Everglades started off the year with the delivery of the new gantry cranes which are very impressive and promise to help grow the cargo sector of the market. The US Coast Guard presented several issues they want the boating public to be aware of. Unlicensed charters continue to be a focus and problem as they have resulted in injuries and as recently as this month, a fatality. The other issue the Coast Guard brought attention to was event permits for large gatherings of boats. Communicating with them at Sector Miami is the best way to determine if a permit will be needed.

On January 26th all air passengers entering the United States will be required to have a negative COVID-19 test within 3 days before boarding a flight. This may cause challenges for some crew on rotation but ultimately it is a reasonable step to slow the spread of COVID-19 variants around the globe. We continue to work to solve crew visa issues. I would encourage Captains and management teams at this time to try to hire those who have valid B1 visas. Recently a local agency indicated they felt there was abuse of the visa one time waiver by some and it would not be permitted to continue.

Florida’s legislative session begins in March and prior to that MIASF would like to convene an Advocacy Committee to review and help prioritize issues. If you are a current MIASF member and are interested in joining the Advocacy Committee, please send an email to patience@miasf.org.

 

Business Highlight: Denison Yachting

Since 1948, when - on their honeymoon - Frank and Gertrude Denison purchased Dooley’s Dry Dock in Fort Lauderdale, the Denison name has been synonymous with American yachting. From its origins as a defense contractor for the United States Navy, to revolutionizing boat design and construction, the Denison family has built an enduring reputation as experts in the yacht industry.

Today, Denison Yachting is one of South Florida’s largest yacht brokers, representing names like Beneteau, Bertram, and Horizon. Operating 22 marina offices across the country and with a presence in Hong Kong, Denison yacht brokers are well-positioned to service clients across North America and southeast Asia. Denison also specializes in boat loans and yacht financing, along with helping owners secure competitive insurance rates with the top carriers in the marine industry.

Beyond new and used yacht and superyacht sales, Denison also offers full-service charter yacht services, managing boats in the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, Alaska, the Bahamas, the Caribbean and Central America. From marketing services to handling the financial side of the charter arrangement, the Denison team handles every aspect of charter yacht management for owners. Personalized service and attention to detail are the hallmarks of Denison’s charter yacht management approach.

Relying on their decades of yachting experience, Denison also offers private yacht management services for owners. From financial oversight and crew administration to technical support and certificate compliance, Denison’s approach to yacht management lets big boat owners forget about the headaches and instead focus on the enjoyable aspects of time on the water.

To learn more about Denison Yachting and the services they offer, visit their website at www.denisonyachtsales.com.

Faces in the Industry: Sheila Roux

Tell us where you are from, what brought you to Florida, and how long you’ve lived here.

I am from a small town in northwest Minnesota with a population just over 1,000 people. I have lived numerous places in my life, but have been in Florida for 3 ½ years. I came to Florida for the same reasons everyone else does – the weather!

Where do you work, what is your job title, and what does your job entail?

I just recently started working at CBRE, the largest commercial real estate company in the world. I am a Senior Associate in the Capital Markets and Investments Group specializing in marinas and shipyards. My partner, Julie Berry, and I work on acquisitions and dispositions of marinas and shipyards throughout Florida, the Caribbean and beyond.

How did you initially become interested in the marine industry?

I grew up loving boating on small lakes throughout the Midwest.  When I got to Florida, I have been enthralled with the impact boating, yachting, marinas, cruise lines, etc. mean to the economy. I love the beauty of the vessels, the environmentally conscience efforts of the industry and the collective mindset of all the organizations.

What is your favorite or most valuable benefit of membership in MIASF?

As someone very new to the industry, I appreciate the access to the vast marine industry network as well as learning about the leadership and advocacy the organization promotes.

Describe any other community organizations or events with which you are involved?

Former NAIOP committee member

American Heart Association fundraising member

Tell us about your hobbies and the kinds of things you do for fun.

Sports.  I am former collegiate basketball coach and love all things sports related.  I play a lot of golf and love attending live sporting events.  I have been to every major league baseball stadium in the US and now need to work on a new goal like this.

My other passion is travel.  Europe is my favorite destination and I long for the days to be back on a plane and wandering foreign streets and immersing myself in a different place and culture.

Yacht Service Technician Apprenticeship Program Report

Apprentices in the Yacht Service Technician Apprenticeship Program (YSTAP) had a short December schedule due to the holidays season. Our class of 2021 has successfully completed the first year of the two-year program and is currently learning about hydraulic system principles in order to begin understanding the proper operation of the various hydraulic systems and some troubleshooting techniques to properly diagnose issues related to marine hydraulic system failure.  Once the hydraulic class work is finished the 2021 class is moving into the Yacht Plumbing & Pipe Fitting Module next. Also, January marked the beginning of classes for MIASF’s class of 2022!!  The group of 16 new apprentices is a big jump from our original pilot class of 5 from 2020!  The brand-new apprenticeship class will begin safety classes first with a three-week, 10 hours OSHA Shipyard Certification prior to getting into fire systems.  YSTAP classes begin every January and all classes are taught at award-winning Atlantic Technical College in Coconut Creek.  For more information on how to become a participating employer or an apprentice, please contact instructor Jon Lowell at jonathananthony.lowell@browardschools.com.

Winner of the Waterway Cleanup Poster Contest Announced

We are pleased to announce that Taylor de Don, a ninth grader at South Broward High School, is the winner of MIASF’s inaugural Waterway Cleanup Poster Contest. Taylor wins a $500 scholarship, and her artwork will be used as the official poster and flyer for this year’s event, which kicks-off March 6, 2021.

Thirteen students, ranging from grades one through twelve, submitted entries to the poster contest. The competition was judged by an esteemed panel of professional artists, including Steve Diossy, Danielle Perry, and Dr. Guy Harvey. The judges praised all entries, and were especially impressed with the emphasis on ocean clean-up, specifically plastic debris. Congratulations, Taylor!

44th Annual Broward County Waterway Cleanup

The Broward County Waterway Cleanup is Broward’s largest and longest-running environmental event that typically takes place on the first Saturday of March each year. This year, in an effort to keep volunteers as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be hosting the Waterway Cleanup for the entire month of March! Volunteers are encouraged to go out on any weekend in March and clean up our local waterways whether on foot or on a vessel. By expanding the event for the entire month, we hope to prevent any one site from becoming too crowded. Volunteers are strongly encouraged to wear a mask and maintain at least six feet away from others while cleaning the waterways. There will be no site coordinators on site this year, so you must register online in advance at www.waterwaycleanup.org; registration will open in February. All volunteers are asked to download and use the Clean Swell app (developed by Ocean Conservancy) to record the trash and debris that they collect so we can continue to monitor and record how much trash is collected. Community service hours are still available, but the student must be registered to participate online in advance for verification purposes. Stay tuned to the Waterway Cleanup website and Facebook page for additional updates and information on the changes being instituted for this year’s event.

2020 Marine Industry Economic Impact Numbers

The Marine Industries Association of South Florida Releases 2020 Economic Impact Numbers: Despite unique challenges across the board in 2020, Florida’s marine industry remained an essential and growing component of the state’s overall economy, according to the latest data released by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF).

Boasting a total output of over $24.6 billion across the state, the marine industry was responsible for more than 270,000 thousand jobs throughout Florida in 2020. Broward remained the statewide industry leader, representing 121,000 jobs and $9.7 billion in output. Together with Palm Beach and Dade, the tri-county area was responsible for 149,000 marine industry jobs and more than one-half the state’s total output in 2020.

Broward Delegation Waterway Tour

Several Broward Delegation members took time this month to join us on the Water Taxi to tour the local waterway and learn about the about the marine industry. The importance of the industry was clear by the leadership who joined us. Rep. Michael Gottlieb, Delegation Vice Chair, who is an enthusiastic boat owner, Representative Evan Jenne, Minority (Democratic) Co-Leader is a longtime friend of the industry and district legislative aide, Daniel GilGonzalez represented freshman Representative Tom Fabricio who was moving his family to Tallahassee the day of the trip. These educational tours are invaluable for the industry as the leaders are left with the images of amazing yachts, growing businesses along the New River, the reality of the high paying jobs and topped off by economic impact numbers that are the envy of other counties: $9.7 billion and 121,000 employees in 2020. Special thanks to Bill Walker and his team at Water Taxi for always making this trip possible and providing a firsthand point of view from a marine business owner. The Broward Days trip to Tallahassee during session this year may not possible because of the restricted number of people permitted access to the Capitol but we will keep you posted.

4th Annual Elevator Pitch Competition

The 4th Annual Marine Industry Elevator Pitch Competition is officially underway, and you have the opportunity to be a judge for the competition! Earlier this month, Emily Burchwell from Lauderdale Marine Center, and Megan Piggott presented the project to the students in the Marine Magnet Program at South Broward High School. The students are challenged to create an elevator pitch presentation about a specific career in the marine industry they are interested in and persuade the judges why they would be a good fit for that position. It’s a great opportunity for the students to practice public speaking, learn about jobs in the marine industry, and meet leaders in our industry. The overall winner of the competition will receive a $500 scholarship!

This year, the competition will take place virtually and we are in need of judges for multiple rounds of competition. The dates of the competition are as follows:

·         Wednesday, February 24th- 8:30 – 10:30 am

·         Thursday, February 25th – 1:00 - 3:00 pm

·         Thursday, March 11th – 8:30 – 10:30 am

 

If you are interested in being a judge, please email Megan Piggott at Megan@miasf.org.

Member News: Boats Group

Boats Group, a leading online classifieds marketplace and technology provider for the recreational marine industry, announced that a company backed by the Permira funds has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Boats Group from funds advised by Apax Partners. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Through its industry-leading brands – YachtWorld, Boat Trader, boats.com, Cosas De Barcos, Annonces du Bateau and Botentekoop – and integrated suite of data, marketing software and workflow tools, Boats Group’s global marketplaces connect millions of buyers and sellers of boats. Headquartered in Miami, Boats Group provides over 4,000 brokers and dealers in more than 140 countries with a comprehensive suite of technology-based marketing and software solutions, enabling them to effectively reach in-market consumers, improve their overall profitability, and manage their operations.

Member News: Rybovich

Safe Harbor Marinas, the largest owner and operator of marinas in the world, has acquired Rybovich, a US destination and service provider for the superyacht industry. "Not only are our people continuing at Rybovich," said Carlos Vidueira, who will oversee Safe Harbor's superyacht marinas "but we will have access to more resources and a larger, growing network. Our commitment to our community, our team members and their families, and to the yacht owners, their captains and crews has never been stronger. We've been searching for the right way to serve them all from a larger platform and we've found it."

Member News: Roscioli Yachting Center

Roscioli Yachting Center sold to OneWater Marine for $30M. OneWater Marine will keep the Roscioli name on the property and retain the employees. Roscioli Yachting Center was originally developed in 1985 and expanded in 2006. The facility has undercover storage for boats of up to 150 feet and offers a full range of yacht service and refurbishing capabilities.

Member News: Sea Hawk Paints

AkzoNobel announced it acquired New Nautical Coatings, owner of the Sea Hawk yacht coatings brand. Operating a specialized production facility out of Clearwater Beach, Florida the business is mainly active in North America, with sales also being generated in the Caribbean and Australasia. “North America is a key region for our Yacht Coatings business –it’s the largest Yacht Coatings market in the world –so this is an excellent deal which perfectly complements our activities and offers excellent opportunities for growth,” says AkzoNobel CEO, Thierry Vanlancker.

Member News: General Fabrics

Robert L. Norem, Jr., owner and operator of General Fabrics for over 50 years, passed away on January 5, 2021. Rob grew up in Fort Lauderdale and attended Stranahan High School; a Vietnam Veteran, he proudly served in the US Air Force. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Florida Veterans Foundation at www.helpflvets.org/in-memory/.

Member News: Nautical Ventures

Nautical Ventures Group has announced it has purchased property at 1400 S. Federal Highway (U.S. 1) in the heart of Fort Lauderdale. According to Roger Moore, CEO of Nautical Ventures Group, “This site was previously a BMW dealership, so the existing infrastructure and site plan allowed for a natural transition to bring over our unique boat dealership model.”

Nautical Ventures will be moving its inventory and staff from its current location in Dania Beach by February 1, 2021. 

Member News: Fraser Yachts

David L. Fraser, founder of yacht brokerage Fraser Yachts, passed away on January 6, 2021, at the age of 99. A born salesman with a lifetime love of boats, David launched Fraser Yachts in 1947, growing it into a world leader in yacht brokerage, yacht charter, yacht management, crew placement and new-build consultation. “David was a titan in the world of yachting and brokerage who touched the lives of many over his long career,” says Fraser CEO Raphael Sauleau in a statement. ”A passionate yachtsman with a vision, a drive and a set of principles that not only built the company that today proudly continues to carry his name but equally continues to apply the values, thoroughness and ambition he was personally renowned for.”

Member News: NMMA and Informa Markets

The National Marine Manufacturers Association announced a partnership with Informa Markets to merge the Miami International Boat Show and Miami Yacht Show, including Superyacht Miami, creating one of the largest marine events in the world.

The joint production, which will be branded under Discover Boating and carry the Miami International Boat Show name, is scheduled to debut Feb. 16-20, 2022. The in-water events will be centered in downtown Miami at Sea Isle Marina, One Herald Plaza and Island Gardens Deep Harbour on Watson Island. The portion of the show that’s off the water will be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Under the partnership, Informa Markets, takes on management of the in-person experience, while NMMA oversees the digital experience. Additionally, NMMA retains ownership of MIBS, and Informa Markets maintains co-ownership of MYS and Superyacht Miami with the International Yacht Brokers Association. The partnership is the result of long-standing conversations between the two organizations on how best to serve the industry and cultivate a best-in-class boat show experience.

Member News: MarineMax

The Sea Tow Foundation and its North American Sober Skipper Advisory Council recently announced winners of the National Boating Industry Safety Awards, which recognize the best boating safety work in the for-profit section of the recreational boating industry. A second-year repeat winner, MarineMax, took home top honors in a new category for the Top Marine Retailer with More Than Three Locations. 
 
Sea Tow Foundation Executive Director Gail Kulp states, "MarineMax showcased a solid, proven plan for providing boating safety education, and they were able to adapt this to the constraints imposed by the COVID-19 Pandemic. While previous years allowed for their educational classes to be conducted in person, their virtual classes attracted as much boating participation if not more than previous years."

Member News: MHG Insurance

MHG Insurance is marking its 30th anniversary since introducing crew benefits to the marine industry. Thirty years and over tens of thousands of captains, officers, and crew insured, MHG continues to develop crew benefit plans to make the industry a better place to work and live. As part of its 30th anniversary, MHG is also launching a new logo and moving its U.S. offices a few blocks from its current location to 1800 SE 10th Avenue, Suite 320, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316.

Member News: Derecktor Ft. Pierce

Components for the world’s largest mobile boat hoist has arrived at Derecktor Ft. Pierce. Once assembled, the lift will be the world’s largest, with a capacity of 1,500 tons – the equivalent of nearly 8 Boeing 747 airplanes. It will also be the heart of the shipyard’s first phase of operation. While the lift is assembled, work on the haul-out basin to accommodate the historic machine continues. This 220-foot long by 50-foot-wide slipway, with a water depth of 21 feet, will allow the machine to hoist all but the very largest yachts quickly, safely and efficiently, and then precisely position them on the 12-acre site.  Derecktor Ft. Pierce anticipates hauling operations to commence in May and is now scheduling haul-outs and service work.

Member News: TowBoatUS Fort Lauderdale

TowBoatUS Fort Lauderdale captains receive honors for lifesaving acts at the annual BoatUS Towing Conference. Capt. Harrison Reiter and Capt. George Bassett received the Woody Pollak Lifesaving Award for saving an elderly couple who had been thrown into the water from their inflatable boat after it crashed. Capt. Steve Reuss received the Meritorious Service Award for his help in the rescue of five anglers who were forced to abandon ship in foul weather.

Member News: Teak Isle

Teak Isle has announced the purchase of an additional 45,000 square foot production facility. The building will be used for manufacturing and warehouse space for their rapidly growing Boat Outfitters retail and wholesale divisions, as well to support their OEM boat builder production needs.

Along with the addition of the new building, Teak Isle has purchased two additional CNC routers bringing their count to 11 machines.  This dedication to new production capacity and technology will continue to let them to serve their customers with new and innovative products and on-time delivery. 

Upcoming Event

Save the Date for the 44th Annual Broward County Waterway Cleanup! The Broward County Waterway Cleanup is Broward’s largest and longest-running environmental event that typically takes place on the first Saturday of March each year. This year, in an effort to keep volunteers as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be hosting the Waterway Cleanup for the entire month of March! Volunteers are encouraged to go out on any weekend in March and clean up our local waterways whether on foot or on a vessel. By expanding the event for the entire month, we hope to prevent any one site from becoming too crowded. Volunteers are strongly encouraged to wear a mask and maintain a physical distance of at least six feet from others while cleaning the waterways. There will be no site coordinators on site this year, so every volunteer must register online in advance at www.waterwaycleanup.org; registration will open in February. All volunteers are asked to download and use the Clean Swell app (developed by Ocean Conservancy) to record the trash and debris that they collect so we can continue to monitor and record how much trash is collected. Community service hours are still available, but the student must be registered to participate online in advance for verification purposes. Stay tuned to the Waterway Cleanup website and Facebook page for additional updates and information on the changes being instituted for this year’s event.

Past Event

MIASF hosted a virtual insurance panel on January 20th to discuss the types of insurance and exposure that are of interest and concern to marine businesses. Moderated by Phil Purcell, the panel included Jill Levy of Tanenbaum Harber who, with over 30 years of experience represented the insurance agents’ point of view; Ian Greenway of LIG Marine Managers provided extensive Longshore coverage knowledge and is an insurance broker; and Kristina Hebert of Ward’s Marine Electric, who served as the voice of the contractor and recapped the association’s history with the fight to exempt recreational marine from Longshore exposure because of her long involvement with the issue. After the panel discussion, Duncan Smith of Smith Advocacy Group updated the group on the ongoing legislative work to ease and more clearly define the responsibilities of Longshore.

Highlights of the discussions included the fact that many general liability policies have an exemption clause for work on or near water. The business that takes advantage of the workman’s compensation exemption is unable to get Longshore coverage because it is a requirement of Longshore that the applicant has worker’s comp coverage.

The liability exposure of a facility (boatyard or marina) once they permit a contractor access to the property without the proper coverage falls to the facility. This helps to explain why yards are very diligent with the insurance coverage requirement.

The cost and types of coverage vary depending on the individual business. It is important to have a knowledgeable agent familiar with the service provider segment of the marine industry. To manage some costs there is an “if any” Longshore option which requires detailed records of when the company works on a Longshore qualified job. An annual audit is part of this type of coverage.

The panel provided solid information which was helpful to those that attended. For those who had a scheduling conflict, the video of the presentation is accessible on the Videos page of the MIASF website: https://www.miasf.org/videos/industry.  

Salty Jobs

Attention! In this episode, hosts, David Chew and Megan Piggott, enlist for the day with the U.S. Coast Guard! Do they have what it takes to follow the commands and pass the training drills, or will they need to head back to boot camp?

This episode is dedicated to the men and women serving our country. We thank you for your service and sacrifice.

You can watch the full episode here.

If you’re interested in being a part of an episode of Salty Jobs, please email Megan Piggott at Megan@miasf.org to learn more.

Featured Job

RMK Merrill-Stevens has announced the opening of several new positions at the historic shipyard. The companies are currently seeking applicants to fill a wide variety of roles including but not limited to marine fiberglass technician, marine painter, marine mechanic, travel lift operator and assistant project manager. Applicants are encouraged to submit their resume online at www.rmkms.com/careers or directly to loraine@rmkms.com.

Did You Know?

MIASF has three lobbyists, one each at the local, state, and federal levels.

Welcome Aboard New Members!

REGULAR MEMBERS:

Lank Oil Company

Kristene Tokesky

Email: ktokesky@lankoil.com

Website: www.lankoil.com

2203 W. McNab Road

Pompano Beach, FL 33069

Phone: (954) 978-6600

Company Description: Delivers diesel and Rec90 gas to marine vessels, generators, construction sites and more! Deliveries dockside, to your home or participating marina.

Business Category: Fuel/Oil Suppliers