Newsletter May 2021

From the Captain's Chair: See You on the Water

As spring quickly transitions to summer, a noticeable uptick in recreational boat users can be seen on every South Florida waterway. This year, more so than any year in recent history, the number of boaters is higher than usual. While the pandemic caused problems for many industries, boat sales were up 35-40 percent statewide in 2020 as people chose to buy boats in lieu of the vacations they couldn’t take.

Now that we are on the verge of summer, these new boat owners – along with so many students finishing classes – are hitting our lakes, rivers, and coastal waterways to enjoy the best boating months of the year. As stewards of our state’s natural resources and its robust marine industry, the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF) always has safety in mind. Safety of the boat operators and their guests, safety of other water users, and safety of our fragile marine environment.

As we head into June, we’ve been giving great thought to ways we can all ensure and enjoy a safe summer.

 

A Nature Reset

One thing that didn’t suffer from COVID-19 is our state’s natural resources. Just the opposite. Our plants and animals had over twelve months to recuperate (mostly) free from human intervention. With very few people using our parks, waterways, and other public spaces, the wildlife that call these places home had a rare opportunity to thrive generally uninhibited by our presence.

Now we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to preserve this newly robust natural habitat. While MIASF events like the annual Waterway Cleanup present important opportunities to fix problems caused by humans, we now have a chance to build on this natural rebound. Rather than only fixing, we can also preserve. We encourage all waterway users – new and returning – to become attentive stewards and year-round advocates for these renewed natural resources.

 

Safe Boating Standards

We know Florida ranks number one in boat registrations nationwide. We also know that May is the kick-off to Florida’s popular summer boating season. In the coming days and weeks, many new captains will be hitting the water with their families and friends.

Not coincidentally, Safe Boating Week kicks off this week, in the lead up to Memorial Day weekend. This is an excellent time for members to remind customers, friends, and family of two important safety measures that go a long way towards keeping our waterways safe for all – life jackets and designated drivers. It only takes a small bit of effort to ensure the safety of everyone.

MIASF has once again partnered with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary now that they have resumed in person classes, to host monthly boater education classes at the MIASF office. The next class is June 5th, click here for additional details and registration http://wow.uscgaux.info/pe_class_flyer.php?unit=NAT&course=26673

 

Annual Meeting Recap

On Thursday, May 20th, we held the 2021 Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon at the Lauderdale Yacht Club. It was great to finally meet up in person, and an honor to welcome Reggie Rivers once again as our emcee. First things first, a huge thanks to Marieke van Peer, Graeme Lord and Glen Allen who are leaving their board posts. Your service and support throughout the year helped make 2020 a successful year.

We also had the opportunity to announce newly elected and re-elected board members and confer a number of awards. Congratulations to Chuck Cashman of MarineMax, Bob Denison of Denison Yachting, and Danny James of Compass Logistics & Marine on their election as our newest board members, and a hearty congratulations to Megan Washington of Pier Sixty-Six Marina on her re-election to the board.

This year’s Golden Anchor award recipient was Andrew Doole of Informa Markets. Informa was the driving force behind maintaining the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show as a live event by putting robust safety and health protocols in place. In his acceptance speech, Andrew made it a point to thank his team, noting that the success of FLIBS was entirely due to their collective hard work and perseverance. He accepted the award on behalf of the entire Informa team.

Another hallmark award, the 2021 Award of Excellence, went to Doug West for leading by example and raising the  standards of professionalism in the marine industry. His innovation and thoughtful investment have transformed Lauderdale Marine Center to a world recognized yacht service facility.

Broward County Mayor Steve Geller, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, and Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Steve Glassman all received Marine Industry Advocate awards in recognition of their unwavering commitment to the marine industry.

 

Have a great holiday weekend, and we’ll see you on the water.

 

Phil Purcell

CEO/President

Advocacy Report

Florida’s 2021 legislative session concluded last month. The Florida Fish and Wildlife bill (SB1086) is waiting for the Governor’s signature to be final. The bill provides additional tools for law enforcement to manage derelict vessels, provides definition of human powered vessels and restricts operation within the ICW and designates aquatic preserves as no discharge zones.

Governor DeSantis has signed into law a comprehensive bill that will ensure a coordinated approach to Florida’s coastal and inland resiliency. The new program will enhance efforts to protect inland waterways, coastlines, shores, and coral reefs, which serve as invaluable natural defenses against sea level rise. The bill provides for funds to municipalities to execute their plans.

At the Federal level, Senator Rubio continues fighting for his bill, The PREPARE Act, which provides a Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program for small businesses to take out low-interest loans to implement mitigation measures to protect their property from future disaster-related damage. This bill enjoys rare bi-partisan support allowing small businesses the opportunity to invest in mitigation before a disaster strikes. The Marine Industries Association of South Florida and other national marine trade organizations support the bill as mitigation is key to resiliency for low-lying coastal marine facilities.

Last week, the US Coast Guard and industry representatives, which make up the working group, met to review the proposed regulations for the US Flag over 300gt. There are still challenges and questions to implementation as USCG is not the only agency the regulation change will impact. The working group engagement will hopefully facilitate movement towards final rule.

The city of Fort Lauderdale Marine Advisory Board sent a letter of concern to the commission about a proposed dock in in front the Stranahan House. There are currently permit restrictions on the area prohibiting dockage as the area is critical to navigation of larger vessels transiting the river to and from the boatyards upriver as well as a history of accidents in this congested part of the river. MIASF has also submitted a letter of concern to Mayor Trantalis requesting the permit restrictions remain in place.

The MIASF annual meeting this month provided members with the unique opportunity to meet and hear from our amazing and effective team of lobbyists. On the local level (Matt Sacco), state level (Teye Reeves), and federal level (Duncan Smith), they advocate for marine industry interests every day. Each one of them excels in their area of expertise and MIASF is happy to have them on our team.  

Yacht Service Technician Apprenticeship Program Report

Apprentices in the Yacht Service Technician Apprenticeship Program (YSTAP) had a productive month of classes.  Our class of 2021 finished up the Pumps, Plumbing, and Pipe Fitter Module and are preparing for the plumbing final exam prior to moving into the carpentry module.  Atlantic Technical College is providing MIASF apprentices a veteran woodworking professor to work with them in a state-of-the-art woodworking shop to create a couple of projects that teach basic carpentry skills.  Class topics include identifying and selecting proper marine carpentry materials, hardware identification and adjustment, hand and power tools, basic carpentry calculations, project planning combined with classroom labs, and more.

MIASF’s newest group, the Class Of 2022 is moving right along.  During the month of May the apprentices spent the first three weeks finishing up on the Employability Module classes which teach multiple aspects of professional development related to today’s busy marine industry.  Two amazing speakers presented to the class. First, we had Vicki Abernathy from AERÉ Marine Group returning for another year.  Vicki discussed hiring and interviewing techniques as well as her always inspirational story of how she and her husband Gary got their start.  Next, we had Katie Hagen from FHG Marine Engineering come and present on her vast experience in working in a multicultural business environment which included a body language / communication exercise that really got the class engaged and aware. Lastly, this week we begin the Heavy Lifting Module which began with Crosby Rigging Certifications training from Leo Marquis returning courtesy of Crosby Rigging.  June classes will expand into additional rigging concepts as we move through the class material.

Great News! We added Aquamare in Lauderdale Marine Center to our growing list of sponsoring companies. As a reminder, there is no cost to our sponsoring member partners and the benefits are numerous so please reach to us for further details.  Our next class for YSTAP begins in January and we are looking to add more businesses and apprentices for our upcoming class.  For more information on how to become a participating employer or an apprentice, please contact MIASF directly or our program coordinator & instructor Jon Lowell at Jonathananthony.Lowell@browardschools.com.

Business Highlight: Lewis Marine

For over 60 years, Lewis Marine Supply has been an integral part of the South Florida marine industry, providing parts and services to customers throughout the southeastern United States. Operating from its headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Lewis also offers boaters convenient locations in Charleston, SC and Foley, AL. This allows the company to offer the famed Lewis “service supreme” to boaters from the southeast US coast to the Gulf shores.

Recently under new ownership and management, Lewis continues its tradition of excellent customer service while also focusing on further expansion and continued growth. “Lewis has been in acquisition mode for many months and is positioning itself to become the premier marine supply source in the southeastern United States,” notes Steve Baum, Chief Operating Officer. “We’re currently exploring new locations along Florida’s west coast. The goal is to create a seamless experience for Lewis customers wherever they are located in the Southeastern United States, the Gulf, and Atlantic Coast.”

Another exciting development is the debut of Lewis’ new BYOB program. A first of its kind in the industry, the program is designed especially for boat yards and OEM builders. It offers incentivized pricing, factory specials, and product expertise to members of the specialty program. The goal, according to Baum, is to make members’ jobs easier, more efficient, and more profitable.

To learn more about Lewis Marine Supply or join the BYOB program, check out their website or visit their headquarters at 220 SW 32nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315.

Faces in the Industry: Brooke Joiner

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

I am from Loveland, CO. I have been in South Florida for two years, and my current position brought me to the area.

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

I am the Business Development Manager at Videoworks of Americas, Inc. My role entails the provision of exceptional client care for both new and existing clients, ongoing business development in the US market, and assistance to my valued colleagues in our offices worldwide.

How did you initially become interested in the marine industry?

When I lived in Italy, I became familiar with Videoworks and the yacht-building industry that comprises a large portion of the local economy in the Marche region. I was immediately drawn to the awe-inspiring projects that Videoworks does in collaboration with the exquisite Italian builders, and have been grateful to follow many of those vessels to South Florida.

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

MIASF’s advocacy work at the local, state and national levels is one of the most valuable membership benefits, particularly its efforts in keeping our industry considered ‘essential’ during the initial lockdown phase in 2020.

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

I sit on the MIASF Membership Committee, have been a Site Coordinator for the Waterway Clean Up and have been a judge for the Elevator Pitch Competition for Broward County high school students.

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

I enjoy the many beautiful beaches and parks in our area, hosting friends and family for a good meal, and evenings out with my husband.

Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon

The MIASF Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon was held on Thursday, May 20, 2021, at the Lauderdale Yacht Club. This year’s meeting and awards luncheon marked the return to a live event and was emceed for the second year in a row by former Denver Bronco’s running back, broadcaster, and author, Reggie Rivers, who hosted the association’s virtual meeting last year. In recognition of continued safety, event attendance was limited, and social distancing protocols were in place.

Doug West, Chairman of the MIASF Board of Directors, announced the newly and re-elected board members. “On behalf of the entire MIASF board, we are delighted to welcome aboard Chuck Cashman of MarineMax, Bob Denison of Denison Yachting, and Danny James of Compass Logistics & Marine as our newest board members. We also extend a hearty congratulations to Megan Washington of Pier Sixty-Six Marina on her re-election.”

This year’s Golden Anchor Award was presented to Andrew Doole of Informa Markets. Informa was the driving force behind maintaining the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show as a live event, with robust safety and health protocols in place. Doug West received the 2021 Award of Excellence for his work at Lauderdale Marine Center throughout the past year.

Other guests were also recognized for their commitment to the marine industry. This year, Broward County Mayor Steve Geller, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, and Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Steve Glassman all received Marine Industry Advocate awards.

Additionally, the Frank Herhold Memorial Scholarship was presented to Megan McGrath, a graduate student at Nova Southeastern University, where she is studying the presence of UV-filters in ambient seawater and their possible impact on staghorn coral fecundity.

MIASF Member Job Board

The member job board on the MIASF website is officially launched and activated! As a benefit of membership, all MIASF members are now able to post their jobs for free on the new site. To post a job, bundle administrators and bundle members can log in to their membership portal and click ‘job board’ from the dashboard menu. Click on the red button ‘add a job’ to begin filling out all of the required fields. You can view the new job board at www.miasf.org/jobs.

Lori Wheeler Named Vice Chair NMTC

MIASF’s Vice President, Lori Wheeler, has been named Vice Chair of the National Marine Trades Council (NMTC). NMTC is an informal group comprised of Marine Trade Associations from across the country that meets twice a year to discuss boat show production, membership development, and association management. The Council has been meeting since 1972. Lori will be serving a 2-year term as Vice Chair.

National Safe Boating Week

National Safe Boating Week runs from May 22-28, 2021. This observance week is the annual kick-off of the Safe Boating Campaign, a global effort to encourage responsible boating and consistent life jacket wear by recreational boaters. U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in four out of every five recreational boating fatalities in 2019, and that 86 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets. For more information, please visit safeboatingcampaign.com.

Member News: MarineMax

MarineMax, Inc. announced the acquisition of KCS International, Inc., better known as Cruisers Yachts, headquartered in Oconto, Wisconsin. Cruisers Yachts (Cruisers) is recognized as one of the world’s premier manufacturers of premium yachts, producing models from 33’ to 60’ feet. Cruisers, due to demand, recently announced the expansion of their production capacity by purchasing a 216,000 square foot, purpose-built boat manufacturing plant in Pulaski, WI. Such expansion allows Cruisers to more than double its capacity over time. MarineMax’s acquisition of Cruisers Yachts ensures it will always have a premium, American built yacht in its product portfolio. The Company expects the acquisition to be accretive in its first full twelve-month period.

W. Brett McGill, Chief Executive Officer and President of MarineMax stated, "The strategic acquisition of Cruisers Yachts benefits our customers by filling a meaningful void in our product portfolio which was created in 2018 by the loss of Sea Ray sport yacht and yacht models. The acquisition also aligns with our long-term strategy of expanding our gross margins by adding a higher margin business. Cruisers has a seasoned, passionate and successful team. Their industry knowledge and their recent expansion, combined with MarineMax’s resources, will enable Cruisers to accelerate its positioning in the market. We can continue to expand and grow with Cruisers’ model line-up in markets that are available. We are excited to have Mark Pedersen join our management team as he will continue to lead the operations of Cruisers’ more than 350 team members.”

Mark Pedersen, President of Cruisers Yachts stated, “We are very excited about becoming part of the MarineMax family and the great opportunities that lie ahead. Over the years we have recognized that certain customers prefer to only buy an American built yacht, and our brand compliments MarineMax’s other offerings. The MarineMax team has a proven track record of great success in our industry. With our loyal Cruisers owners and a strong dealer network, we will all greatly benefit from being a part of MarineMax.”

Telly Award

Leading up to the 44th Annual Broward County Waterway Cleanup, PSA videos were released to inform volunteers of the changes they can expect to see at this year’s event to ensure all participants felt comfortable and confident taking part in this traditional event. MIASF is proud to announce that the first PSA video released in the series is now an award-winning video, receiving a Telly Award for Social Video in the category of Nonprofits. The Telly Awards is the premier award honoring video and television across all screens. Established in 1979, the Telly Awards receives more than 12,000 entries across all 50 states and 5 continents.

Member News: Lauderdale Marine Center

Safe Harbor Marinas has acquired Lauderdale Marine Center ("LMC"), a premier US destination and service provider for the superyacht industry in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The transaction, valued at approximately $340 million, closed on May 3, 2021. 

In 1997, LMC brought a new vision to Broward County. That vision was to create the world's premier superyacht facility right in the heart of Fort Lauderdale. Through years of investment in wet slip and dry storage infrastructure, the team developed world-class operational capacity and honed a unique marketplace model. Today, LMC has a total of 106 slips, employs more than 100 full-time professionals and is home to hundreds of marine industry tenants and contractors. 

"We are excited to bring Lauderdale Marine Center and their talented team into the Safe Harbor family," said Baxter Underwood, CEO of Safe Harbor. "LMC is now connected to our network of superyacht facilities at West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach, Old Port Cove, Charleston City, and Newport Shipyard and will help us further grow along the East Coast by providing a world class 60-acre service and repair facility for our members."

Member News: Bellingham Marine

Sterling Global Financial, and Bellingham Marine have announced that Bellingham will supply and install the floating concrete dock system for the totally reconstructed Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina at Paradise Landing on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

“Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina is designed to be the most exclusive berth in the Caribbean for the world’s most discerning owners and captains, which is why we chose Bellingham, the global leader in floating dock manufacturing and construction,” said David Kosoy, Executive Chairman & Founder, Sterling Global Financial, the project’s developer, manager, and owner. “Working with Bellingham, we are confident about delivering the best possible product for our customers.”

The new Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina at Paradise Landing will feature 6,100 feet of docks up to 420 feet, a 240’ turning radius, 13.5’ depth and an extensive array of amenities and services for yacht owners, captains and crew.

“Sterling Global Financial has a stellar reputation and a core company character that aligns with ours," said Steve Ryder, Senior Project Development Manager at Bellingham Marine. “We are looking forward to delivering a superior product that will attract yacht owners and crew for many years to come. Our tested and time-proven construction methods combined with advancements in materials and an appreciation for value engineering are the foundation of our award-winning projects.”

Member News: US Superyacht Association

YATCO has partnered with the U.S. Superyacht Association (USSA), by powering their website with YATCO's robust platform. The features provided by YATCO allow the USSA to better engage with and meet the needs of their members and the entire superyacht community. 

"The USSA's website is powered by the cutting-edge technology of YATCO, a company that has proudly served the professional yachting community worldwide for more than 20 years. YATCO is proud to give back to the yachting community and fulfill its mission to contribute 10% of its base membership by providing in-kind services to various associations," says Steven Myers, CEO and Founder of YATCO.

The USSA's improved website, which can be found at www.ussuperyacht.com, includes a modern and user-friendly design along with a new USSA member directory and enhanced search functionalities, all powered by YATCO's new multi-million dollar Back Office Software Solution (BOSS).

Upcoming Events: Memorial Day and Safe Boating Class

Memorial Day is Monday, May 31st. Please note the MIASF office will be closed in observance of the holiday. We wish all of our members a fun and safe holiday weekend.

 

On Saturday, June 5th the US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 3-8 will host their Boat America boating safety course at the MIASF office from 8:30am to 5:00pm. This class meets the FWC 8 hour requirements and is limited to 12 students. Check in starts at 8am and lunch is provided. The cost of the course is $50; register by June 3rd online at http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=070-03-08&category=custom.

TOPICS INCLUDE:
• Introduction to Boating – Types of power boats, boating vocabulary, sailboats, paddle boats, powering boats, and engine types.
• Boating Law – Boat registration, regulations, hull identification numbers, required safety equipment, Federal boating law, state boating law, and reporting accidents.
• Safety Equipment – Life jackets, fire extinguishers, sound-producing devices, visual distress signals, anchors, and other safety equipment.
• Safe Operation and Navigation – Buoys and beacons, aids to navigation, navigation rules, docking, and the dangers of alcohol on the water.
• Boating Emergencies – Hypothermia, boating accidents, man overboard, capsizing, emergency radio calls, carbon monoxide dangers, and weather.
• Trailering – Types of trailers, lights, hitches, towing a trailer.
• Sports and Boating – Water-skiing, hunting and hunting gear, PWC operation, and other boating tips.

Past Event

The MIASF Annual Meeting and Awards luncheon was held on Thursday, May 20th at Lauderdale Yacht Club. Over 120 MIASF members were in attendance as the new Board of Directors were announced and the Golden Anchor and Awards of Excellence were given out. Visit our Facebook page to see photos from the event.

Did You Know?

MIASF now has a job board! Log in to your Member Portal to post your job openings at no cost.

Salty Jobs

If your company is interested in taking part in an episode of Salty Jobs to showcase one of your jobs in our industry, reach out to Megan Piggott at Megan@miasf.org to learn more.

 

Featured Job Listing

Pier 66 Marina

Front Desk/Marina Purser

 

Job Description:
We are looking for a Front Desk / Marina Purser to join our team! If you are interested in the position, apply today.

Title: Front Desk / Marina Purser

Supervisor: Dockmaster

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

General Summary: Responsible administrative responsibilities related to marina operations

Essential Job Functions:

Great customer and provide excellent customer service
Process a variety of marina operations applications and forms; type reports, letters and other communications; answer telephone; maintain files; collect cash, fees, and bills; and maintain daily logs.
Open office, be on time and effective
Microsoft office proficient
Prepare and execute various rental agreements.
Meet and greet the public directly; respond to inquiries by providing factual and policy information, either in person or by telephone
Read electric meters and records monthly usage.
Assist docking and fueling of craft
Operate and monitor radio equipment; provide information to boaters; assist boaters with various marina transactions
Perform all other duties as assigned
Essential Qualifications:

Must have ability to operate golf carts
Must have a valid Florida driver’s license
Must have ability to communicate in English effectively
Weekends and holidays
Open office
Close office
Essential Physical Requirements:

Must have ability to work in hot, muggy and inclement weather conditions on continuous basis
Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds
Must be able to follow written and verbal instructions
Must be physically able to do assigned work as outlined above

Welcome Aboard New Members!

REGULAR MEMBERS:

Aquamare Marine USA

Teresa Drugatz

2025 SW 20th Street #102

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315

Phone: (561) 433-2426

Email: teresa@aquamaremarine.com

Website: www.aquamaremarine.com

Company Description:

Business Category: Yacht Maintenance, Manufacturer’s Representatives, Yacht Refinishing, Marine Consultants

 

Patton’s Marine

Amanda Haley

Email: pattonsmarine60@gmail.com

Website: www.pattonsmarine.com 

750 NE 7th Ave

Dania Beach, FL 33004

Phone: (954) 270-5489

Company Description: All marine repair and services.

Business Category: Engine – Repair; Engines – Repower; Hydraulics; Welding / Metal Fabrication