In the final deliberations that led to passage of the state’s 2014 budget, legislators blocked efforts to apply state sales tax to marina services and labor charges. The sales tax initiative, which would have affected a broad swath of businesses, will likely be debated again next year. The legislature also stood firm on boater safety, [...]

NMMA is continuing its grassroots advocacy work on the E15 and Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) fronts with the Smarter Fuel Future Coalition. Don’t forget to visit the resource center for infographics, videos and more about why reforming the RFS is so important. Or, sign up for the coalition newsletter for regular updates on Capitol Hill [...]

The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) is pleased to announce the launch of Advanced Textiles Source, a website and digital publication devoted to the highly specialized technical textiles market. The website and digital publication launched July 2013. Advanced Textiles Source is the official publication of Advanced Textiles Conference & Trade Show, and of the Safety [...]

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) has provided written comments to a proposed rule published in the Federal Register on May 21, 2013 titled Control of Air Pollution from Motor Vehicles: Tier 3 Motor Vehicle and Fuel Standards. The proposed rule addresses the future of EPA policy on alternative fuels, which specifically would require car [...]

Increases in both attendance and the number of co-hosts were cited for the success of the 2013 American Boating Congress, hosted by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), which wrapped May 9 in Washington, D.C. Attendance at the congress increased from 160 to 200 and the number of co-hosts increased from 13 to 31, compared [...]

Sunbrella fabrics featuring recycled content continue to expand with the latest addition from internationally acclaimed home-furnishings designer Richard Frinier. His newest creation for Sunbrella, “Origins,” takes advantage of the rich surface texture and mottled color in ways that are making Sunbrella Renaissance fabrics increasingly popular with the design trade and consumers. “We are living in [...]

AATCC, USA will partner with Bangalore, India-based TecniTex Nonwovens Pvt Ltd., in conducting a major international conference on “Advances in Fibers, Finishes, Technical Textiles and Nonwovens (AFFTTN),” to be held Oct. 1-2, 2013, in Mumbai, India. The conference will provide an interactive platform for industry, trade associations, academia, policy makers and research institutes across the [...]

According to a U.S. Coast Guard report released in May, recreational-boating-related injuries, accidents and deaths decreased in 2012 from 2011; deaths in boating-related accidents fell from 758 to 651, a 14.1 percent decrease and the lowest number of boating fatalities on record. Injuries decreased from 3,081 to 3,000, and the total reported recreational boating accidents [...]

The U.S. Coast Guard recently released the completed 2011 National Recreational Boating Survey. This is the first in a series of reports that will convey the results of and describe tools to be produced from the newly designed and implemented survey. The report focuses on overall boating participation, boat ownership, the types of boats used [...]

A recent publication from the Personal Watercraft Industry Association stresses the importance of safety, education and rider responsibility in order to fully enjoy the watercraft. The piece also notes many of the improved design features, stability and engine technology on today’s personal watercraft. The PWIA offers important safety tips, rider rules, local laws and personal [...]