An article in the New York Times calls the rapid growth of backyard chicken coops a “chicken boomlet,” fueled by self-reliant people spooked by the recession; advocates of healthy, locally grown food; and parents who see chickens as teaching tools and entertainment for children. The article, “Keeping their eggs in their backyard nest,” by William [...]

Reflects interests of angler’s voices on numerous issues The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a new national policy Feb. 12 intended to better serve recreational saltwater anglers and the communities that rely on them. With input from the recreational fishing and boating communities, the policy reflects their concerns for public access, resource stewardship, [...]

Registration for the 2015 American Boating Congress (ABC) May 11-13 is now open. The marine industry’s political and legislative event will be held at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet elected officials and discuss policy concerns. Industry peers and leaders will work together to ensure a healthy future [...]

Greenville, S.C.-based fire-safety apparel maker Safety Components has added Jamie Martin to its fire service sales and marketing team. Martin has been with the company since 2011. Formerly with the company’s boating-safety staff, Martin will help grow Safety Components’ fire service business, with a focus on supporting garment, distributor and end-use customers. He will also [...]

Anticipating what makes a client difficult for you can help to resolve problems before they swell. By Melynda Norman-Lee So you have a client you don’t like to work with. Have you taken the time to figure out why? What is it about working with this client that bothers you? Is it the client’s lack [...]

Hosted by Progressive Insurance, the Miami International Boat Show will move to the historic Miami Marine Stadium in 2016 and 2017. The 6,566-seat stadium, which had been closed for some 20 years, is the only stadium in the United States built for the purpose of watching powerboat races. It has been named a “historic national [...]

BoatUS offers discounts for military personnel BoatUS offers discounts for military personnel The Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatUS) is offering military personnel serving active duty, in the reserve or National Guard 10 percent off its water towing services, as well as half-price membership dues of $15. With the discount, BoatUS Towing Services [...]

Philadelphia-based SureShade, designer and manufacturer of retractable sunshade systems for the marine industry, has been awarded a U.S. patent for its “manually operated boat canopy system” currently marketed to the recreational boating industry as the SureShade MTF (manual tele-frame) retractable boat shade. The patent allows SureShade to be the only retractable boat shade manufacturer in [...]

According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), outboard boats—which include pontoons, fiberglass and aluminum fishing boats, as well as small family cruisers—are the most popular boats sold, capturing 84 percent of the powerboat market. Sales were up 4.7 percent in 2013. Ski and wakeboard boats are also seeing a resurgence, up 11 percent. About [...]

David M. Foulkes, vice president of product development, engineering and racing at Mercury Marine, will take on added responsibilities as the company’s new chief technology officer. Mercury Marine is Brunswick’s largest operating segment. Foulkes has been with Mercury Marine since 2007 and previously spent 18 years with Ford Motor Co. He also has worked with [...]