The Sea Tow Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to boating safety, announced its 2024 Life Jacket Loaner Program awardees. With the inclusion of these new groups, the Sea Tow Foundation will officially have Life Jacket Loaner Stations established in all 50 states, reinforcing its dedication to preventing drowning incidents across the nation. Administered through the [...]

The annual Wisconsin Governor’s Fishing Opener event was held over the May 10-12 weekend in Northwest Wisconsin in Burnett County on Yellow Lake. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers celebrated the significant economic impact of recreational boating and fishing in the state. “This is an event that transcends politics,” said Gov. Evers in his remarks. “Fishing and [...]

U.S. Representative Mary Peltola (D-AK) has been awarded the Legislator of the Year Award by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) for her support of the recreational boating and fishing industry. The award recognizes the congresswoman’s leadership in advocating for policies that support the boating industry, protect marine ecosystems and advance conservation efforts for all [...]

Meijer, a family-operated retailer that operates 500 supercenters, grocery stores, and neighborhood markets throughout the Midwest, announced a $250,000 donation to the Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center (ISAIC), a Detroit-based national nonprofit organization. ISAIC focuses on training the next generation of textile and apparel manufacturing industry talent through a curriculum that combines technical skills, soft [...]

New research shows that boats certified to American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) standards are 43% to 47% less likely to be involved in certain types of accidents. Additionally, adherence to these standards reduces the likelihood of fatalities by 26% to 58% in accidents that do occur, demonstrating that ABYC standards not only decrease accident [...]

New York State is reminding boaters of a new regulation that took effect this year. The regulation, commonly known as “Brianna’s law,” requires a boating safety certification for people born after Jan. 1, 1978. This regulation was named for 11-year-old Brianna Lieneck who was killed in a boating accident in 2005. The law initially went [...]

The American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) has announced the recipients of the 2024 Outstanding Technician Awards. Sponsored by Yamaha, the awards were given to 10 technicians selected from over 130 nominees. This year’s winners are BJ Benson from Viking Marine (WA), Ryan Coffin from Yarmouth Boat Yard (ME), Brian Ehlers from MarineMax Texas MasterCraft [...]

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 [...]