The Georgia House of Representatives unanimously approved the Senate Substitute for House Bill 994 that addresses liability issues related to boat rentals, leases and charters. Under HB 994, when someone rents, leases, or charters a vessel and operates it negligently, they would be responsible for any resulting injuries or damages. The bill offers protection for [...]

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) announces a new video series with prominent marine industry leaders called MRAA Partner Perspectives that shares insights about the business of boating and the recreational boating markets they serve. The Partner Perspectives videos feature candid Q&A-style interviews with boat manufacturers, suppliers and service providers that exhibited at [...]

Boating Industry is now accepting nominations for its 2024 Women Making Waves industry recognition program. The nomination process will close on May 1, 2024. The 2023 Women Making Waves will be featured in the June/July issue as well as honored at the Boating Industry ELEVATE SUMMIT in January 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. Women Making Waves [...]

Suntex Marina Investors LLC and Centerbridge Partners L.P. announced that they have established a joint venture backed by Centerbridge-affiliated funds and global institutional investors to acquire over $1.25 billion in new marinas across the United States. These funds will be used to support new acquisitions and capital improvements at newly acquired facilities, as well as [...]

The 2024 Palm Beach International Boat Show, that took place at the end of March, closed out its annual four-day event in downtown West Palm Beach by having a record-breaking number of vessels on display, making it the largest edition in the show’s storied history. Since 1982, the Palm Beach International Boat Show has anchored [...]

In a recent Soundings Trade Only article, George Harris, president/CEO of the Northwest Marine Trades Association (NMTA) in Seattle, Wash., discussed his efforts since 2011 to address the workforce issues now facing the recreational boating industry. Harris said that a decade ago, a Wash.-based organization called the Manufacturing Industry Council (MIC) was contacted by Boeing [...]

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) January 2024 Monthly Shipment Reports (MSR) are now available to download. These reports track and analyze industry wholesale shipments using data from a control group of boat, engine and trailer manufacturers. Members can use the data to gauge industry activity, assess business performance and power business plans. The MSR [...]

The recreational boating industry is hosting its annual advocacy event, the American Boating Congress (ABC), in Washington, D.C. from May 8–10, 2024. Influential leaders from all segments of the recreational boating and fishing industry are invited to gather in our nation’s capital and advocate as one voice on pressing matters for our industry. This year’s [...]

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) and American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) will host the free online webinar “Don’t be a Statistic: Data Saves Lives” on May 1, 2024, from 2:00-3:30 p.m. EDT. The webinar is part of the Risk Mitigation Series, now in its sixth session, which aims to enhance safety and compliance [...]

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has said it has identified more than 40 public water access sites throughout the state for extensive upgrades; smaller-scale improvements to more than 75 additional accesses are also anticipated. The work is part of the Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) investments approved by the legislature and [...]