October 2012 - Association of Marina Industries

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October 2012
ADVOCATE
In this issue:
• Plan Ahead for Your Marina’s Future
Needs ... page 7
• Conanicut Marine Goes Green with
Solar ... page 13
• Marina Career Path ... page 23

Welcome to the October issue
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AMI and ABYC Form Partnership
The Association of Marina Industries (AMI) and the
American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) have partnered
to recognize and help advance the safety of both the boating
and marine industries.
The organizations will work together to support their programs
which impact safety standards on boats and at marinas,
and to promote the importance of safety among the
marine industry overall.
The value of this partnership became clear during July
2012’s electric shock drowning tragedies. Preventing future
deaths and injuries takes a combination of safe boats
and safe facilities, and AMI and ABYC have been working
together to spread this message. The first step was the joint
webinar Electric Shock Drowning - The Invisible Killer
Part II - Marina Electrical Safety held in the same month.
new and creative ways,” said BoatUS Foundation Outreach
Manager Alanna Keating. “Over the past two decades many
groups have come to us for funding traditional outreach
tools such as signs and brochures. Today, there are so many
exciting interactive and innovative ways to educate, including
social media, the web and hands-on activities.”
Groups interested in applying for one or more Grassroots
Grants may go to www.BoatUS.com/Grants to view the
grant guidelines and begin their application. Applications
must be submitted by midnight on December 17, 2012. In
the spring of 2013, the strongest grant applications will be
posted online for the public to vote. The groups with the
most votes will receive funding and will have one year to
complete the grant project.
To be the first to learn when voting for grant projects begins,
“like” the BoatUS Foundation on Facebook at www.
Facebook.com/BoatUSFoundation.
“A safely constructed and managed marina is a crucial part
in creating a safe boating environment, but a marina can
only be as safe as the boats that dock there. With this in
mind, it made perfect sense to develop a better working
relationship with ABYC,” said Jim Frye, President of AMI.
John Adey, President of ABYC commented, “ABYC Standards
stop at the end of the shore power cord; a close relationship
with AMI ensures that interests on both the boat
and the dock are considered when discussing matters of
safety on the water.”
BoatUS Foundation Increases Grants
Size; Unique Ideas Sought
Funds Available for Safe and Clean Boating Projects
After funding over $1 million in local boating safety and
clean water projects for the past 21 years, the BoatUS Foundation’s
Grassroots Grants Program is more than doubling
its maximum grant size to $10,000 for 2013. The Foundation
is looking to fund projects that utilize innovative approaches
to educate boaters on safe and clean boating topics.
“We hope that with the larger grant size of $10,000, organizations
will have the means to reach more boaters through
BoatUS Offers Updated Florida
Anchoring Information Tip Sheet
Great to Carry Aboard
Since it was first made available at no cost two years ago,
some boaters have called it one of the most helpful documents
to have aboard when anchoring in waters across
the Sunshine State. Others are saying it’s a great educational
tool when they are confused about local and state
anchoring regulations. Now, Boat Owners Association of
The United States (BoatUS) offers an updated “2013 Florida
Anchoring Information” sheet to clarify for everyone,
from the boating public to government agencies, the current
status of the 2009 passage of Florida House Bill 1423
and the five pilot mooring field projects. Most importantly,
the 2009 law gave relief to many boaters and meant they no
longer had to fear their boat “overstayed its welcome” and
needed to move on.
“Every boat owner wants to follow the law, but in Florida,
some boaters, anglers and sailors may still fear a visit from
law enforcement that will force them to move on from an
anchorage,” said BoatUS President Margaret Podlich.
Industry News Continued on Page 3

Industry News
Industry News Continued from Page 2
Four of the five pilot project areas include the City of St.
Augustine, Monroe County (Key West, Marathon), City
of Sarasota and City of Petersburg which have established
mooring fields and passed local anchoring ordinances.
These areas will be used to test policies that promote public
access, enhance navigational safety, protect maritime
infrastructure and the environment, and deter improperly
stored, abandoned, or derelict vessels. As of press time,
the fifth pilot area, Martin County/City of Stuart, was still
drafting an ordinance likely to come on line in 2013.
The 2009 law also clarified the meaning of “live-aboard”:
Full time, active cruisers who sleep on their boats with no
permanent residence on land are no longer considered
live-aboards under this law and, as a result, their anchoring
cannot be regulated by local governments, other than in
pilot project areas. (For more: FLHB 1423, Chapter 2009-
86, Section 6)
BoatUS has been monitoring the pilot program and investigating
its impact on boaters. “We recognize that there are
still boaters who have not heard of the legislation but continue
to arrive and enjoy Florida’s gorgeous waterways,” said
Podlich. “They should know it is illegal to restrict anchoring
of non-liveaboard vessels in Florida outside of mooring
fields, except in the jurisdiction of the five pilot projects.
In 2014, the anchoring ordinances of these five localities
will expire unless renewed by the Florida Legislature. In
the meantime, boaters should know that anchoring close
to the any of the five pilot program mooring fields today
can be limited by these participating local governments.”
BoatUS encourages boaters to become familiar with these
local regulations and provide the association with feedback
on how they are working. To download and print a copy
of the Anchoring Sheet, go to: www.BoatUS.com/gov/flanchoringsheet,
or for more on this issue and to provide
comment, go to www.BoatUS.com/gov/floridaanchoring.
asp
Industry News Continued on Page 4
Welcome Aboard
Jupiter Pointe Club & Marina
Tequesta, FL
Clinton Marina
Lawrence, KS
Bluepoints Marina at Port Canaveral
Cape Canaveral, FL
Sperry Van Ness/GRG
LaPlata, MD
Boat Slip Manager Software
Niagara Falls, ON
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Aquas Group
Providence, RI
Ace USA Marine Insurance
Philadelphia, PA
Franklin Fueling Systems
Madison, WI
America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Assoc.
Summerville, SC

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Industry News Continued from Page 3
Exuma Technologies Partners with
BoatCloud to Offer Advanced Software
Applications to the Marine Industry
Integrating DockMaster with StackTrack allows marinas to
offer automated drystack launch requests and valet scheduling
while streamlining employee efficiency.
Exuma Technologies, a leading producer of management
software for the Marine and RV industries, announced integration
of their DockMaster Marine Management System
with BoatCloud, a provider of dynamic web applications
for the marine industry. Both companies are leaders
in marine software applications and have partnered to offer
DockMaster customers the ability to offer automated
drystack launch and valet scheduling.
“Our biggest priority is always to offer our customers the best
in technology options to help their businesses perform at their
peak. We are excited to get BoatCloud technology in their marinas
and working for them and their customers.” says Cam Collins,
CEO of Exuma Technologies.
StackTrack, BoatCloud’s primary product, provides a convenient
interface for a marina to successfully manage and fulfill
all launch requests in a cloud-based SaaS application that functions
from any web-enabled PC or mobile device. This allows a
marina to accept orders 24/7 with no risk of overbooking. Combining
real-time integration with DockMaster’s Touch Screen
Point of Sale, employee efficiency is maximized by eliminating
the need for double entry between two systems.
Marinas are looking for ways to do more with less. Automated
valet and concierge services offer the greatest return
in this space. “The industry has a thirst for technology and
we are proud to offer a solution that will drive these profit
centers and ensure greater customer satisfaction,” states
Todd Wagner, spokesperson for Anderson Software, the
makers of BoatCloud. “We designed it, we use it, and we
believe it will dramatically enhance marina operations”.
Governor Signs Bill Raising Boat
Registration Fees to Fight Invasive Species
Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law AB 2443 [Williams]
that will levy a Quagga and Zebra mussel infesta-
Industry News Continued on Page 5

Industry News Continued from Page 4
tion prevention fee on state vessel registrations to fund a
grant program for implementation and administration of
dreissenid mussel infestation, inspection and prevention
programs.
RBOC was actively engaged and lobbying in the State
Capitol as AB 2443 was considered, urging that the bill be
revised to address several concerns with the specific provisions
of the measure.
RBOC appreciates the revisions made to the bill, including
provisions ensuring a critical role for the Department of
Boating and Waterways in administering the expenditure
of boater funds to be generated by boater fees.
With the enactment of AB 2443, RBOC will continue to
be involved as the bill is implemented. It is important to
RBOC that boaters be well-represented on the technical
advisory group that will be formed, that fees are not levied
on boaters whose activities do not present a risk of invasive
species being introduced or spread, that boaters do not pay
twice for the same programs, that decisions on the amount
and use of boater fees are made in an open, transparent
process, and that the fees be utilized in an efficient and effective
manner.
Local Marina Owners Outraged Over
New TVA Fees
Local marina owners are up in arms over a new federal fee
they say will cripple, and possibly kill, their businesses.
The federally owned Tennessee Valley Authority has announced
plans to implement a new land and water use fee
Don’t forget to renew your AMI
membership!
AMI’s membership year runs from April 1 – March 31.
Renewal invoices went out at the end of March.
If you did not receive your renewal invoice please Contact
Merritt Alves at malves@marinaassoiation.org
starting in January. The agency will collect four percent
of total gross revenue from all privately run marinas and
campgrounds that operate on TVA shorelines, a fee TVA
officials say is a matter of fairness for land they already own
and lease out. But some local business owners say the new
fee structure is outrageous, and possibly illegal.
“It’s gonna drive a lot of the private owners out of business,
period,” said Russ Cranford, who manages a privately-run
marina on Lake Guntersville. “It’s gonna force the rent
to go up, and it’s going to get passed on to the customer
because we can’t just absorb that kind of increase…They
[customers] are going to get out of boating if they can’t afford
it, sell their boats and move elsewhere, and that hurts
everybody.”
A three-state coalition of marina owners who plan to file
a federal lawsuit against TVA said the agency is charging
a tax that can only be authorized by Congress. But TVA
officials told WHNT News 19 that the new fee structure is
completely within the law, and has been advertised on its
website for more than two years.
“The four percent, which may seem like a tax, is just a way
of determining what that rent would be,” said TVA spokesman
James Adams. “Just like a farmer rents land to grow
crops, or someone else rents land to build buildings, these
individuals and businesses are renting the public land in
order to provide services.”
TVA has suffered several millions dollars worth of losses
in recent years, but officials said the agency’s deteriorating
financial outlook was not connected to the new fee system.
Publicly owned marinas and campgrounds are exempt from
the new regulations, further irking local business owners.
“I question the legality of it,” said Cranford. “To charge
private industry and not charge municipalities is just not
right. It’s like they don’t want private industry here, like
they’re intentionally trying to run us out.”
Grasso to Head New Marina Division at
Sperry Van Ness
Louis Grasso of La Plata has been named product council
chair for the new marina division of Sperry Van Ness International
Corp., a commercial real estate brokerage franchisor.
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The partnership will make the Sperry Van Ness organization,
headquartered in Irvine, Calif., the only national
Industry News Continued on Page 6

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Industry News Continued from Page 5
commercial real estate brokerage with a team focused on
marinas, according to a news release from the company.
For the past 15 years, Grasso has served as president of The
Marina Specialists, a company that has been successful in
evaluating and selling marinas around the United States,
the release said.
Grasso will help the Sperry Van Ness organization establish
itself as a specialist in that property category with a
proprietary formula for assessing the value and appeal of
marina listings, and a broad network of broker and buyer
contacts.
“We are thrilled to add one of the nation’s foremost marina
specialists to our growing list of Sperry Van Ness advisors,”
said Kevin Maggiacomo, president and CEO of Sperry Van
Ness, in the release. “We have a diverse national platform, and
marinas are a nice complement to the rest of our services.”
Grasso’s work in both real estate and finance has spanned
more than four decades. He previously served as marketing
director for a mid-Atlantic division of Sperry Van Ness.
Under his direction, the region was in the top 5 percent of
the company at that time.
caliber of tools available to brokers, and it is uniquely qualified
to provide exceptional services to marina owners.”
Grasso serves on the Charles County Planning Commission
and, prior to that, was chairman of the Charles County
Economic Development Commission.
Newport Beach OKs 447% Rent Increase
for Large Marinas
By Deepa Bharath, The Orange County Register
Owners of large commercial marinas operating in public
tidelands will face an increase of more than 400 percent,
but not until 2015, the City Council has decided.
The Newport Beach City Council voted 4-3 during a special
meeting Tuesday afternoon in favor of raising the rental
rate per square foot for large marina owners from 36 cents
to $1.97. Council members Keith Curry, Nancy Gardner
and Leslie Daigle voted against the increase.
The vote means that marina owners and operators that pay
3.4 percent of their gross slip revenue under an annual permitting
system will, under a new lease agreement, pay 18.5
percent of their gross slip revenue.
“Rejoining Sperry Van Ness is an exciting opportunity,”
Grasso said. “With this new addition, Sperry Van Ness is
the only commercial real estate firm with the quality or the
At least 100 people packed council chambers in protest of the
significant rent increases. Many who addressed the council
Industry News Continued on Page 7
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said the fee increases are likely to put many operators out of
business and could change the character of the harbor.
Business owner Russ Fluter said marina owners have no
choice but to pass on the rent increases to their customers,
who may then go elsewhere.
“This is going to hurt property values on the harbor,” he
said. “It’s a serious mistake.”
The business owners could still opt for an annual permit with
the same rental terms as a long-term lease. The increases will
become effective in 2015 and will be phased in through 2020.
The rent increases come in the wake of the city’s tripling
of mooring fees in 2010. City Manager Dave Kiff said this
fee raise is necessary to ensure that the city is charging fair
market rates for public tideland uses.
Tuesday’s vote applies only to large commercial marinas.
The council is expected to set the rental rates for other commercial
operations such as yacht clubs, shipyards, sport
fishing charters, small commercial marinas and nonprofits
in future meetings.
Jim Mahoney, a 28-year business owner, said a number of
small businesses such as restaurants, fuel docks and boat
operators that have built their livelihoods around the harbor
will suffer because of these increases.
Daigle said she did not support the rate increases because she
would like to take a comprehensive look at the issue, including
more economic studies to assess the effect on area businesses.
“I’m concerned by the level of confrontation (this issue)
has led to in our city,” she said.
Plan Ahead for Your Marina’s Future
Funding Needs
The topic of replacement cost is a subject I wrote on several
years ago; however, I think it’s an important topic for
marina owners and one worth revisiting. Whether you’ve
recently completed a total rebuild of your marina or are beginning
to realize that the life of your current docks is finite,
taking a good look at the future replacement cost is an exercise
worth doing. It makes good business sense and will help
you better plan and prepare for the future of your marina.
The question for many marina owners is “what will it cost
to replace our docks in ‘x’ number of years and how will we
fund it?”
Although there are a number of variables that will affect
the answer to this question, the heart of the question can be
answered by calculating the time value of money and the
future cost of a marina rebuild.
Here is a list of the variables that you’ll need in order to
make a reasonable estimate.
1. Cost to rebuild your marina today: An experienced
dock builder such as Bellingham Marine can give you an
estimate of the current cost to build the dock system you
have envisioned for your marina in the future. For funding
purposes, plan to have at least 30% of that cost available
for your down payment. Most commercial 20 year loans
require 25% to 30% down.
2. Annual increase in cost of construction: while this can
never be predicted exactly, an experienced accounting firm
in your area should be able to provide a rate at which you
can expect the cost of construction to increase each year.
This will give you a safe number to work with.
Gardner said that although she understands the need for a
rent increase, she cannot support such a steep rate rise.
Councilman Rush Hill, who proposed the two-year coolingoff
period before the increase kicks in, said the city should
protect its small businesses during these tough times.
“I think this is the right thing to do, but the wrong time to
do it,” he said.
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3. Interest rate of investment account: If you don’t have a
feel for this, you may want to consult with your banker or a
local investment firm.
4. Useful life of existing dock system: Modern concrete
floating docks are estimated to have a useful life of 35 to
50 years. Lightweight dock systems, such as timber, aluminum
and steel typically have a life of 20 to 30 years. If
you have an existing system and need help estimating its
remaining useful life, there are a number of professionals
in the marina industry that can help you come up with a
reasonable estimate.
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Industry News Continued from Page 7
By plugging the above variables into several different equations
we can calculate what it will cost to replace your docks
in “x” years, how much cash you’ll need to meet the 30%
requirement, and how much you will want to put into your
investment account each month to reach your goal.
Assuming construction costs increase each year by 3% and
your investment account pays 4%, in 30 years you’d need
to come up with approximately $6.2 million for your 30%
down payment. Given the same assumptions as above, this
means you would need to put $8,900 into your investment
account each month.
Let’s say you plan to rebuild your marina in 30 years and
the cost to rebuild it, if you were to do it today, is $8.5 million.
You’ll need 30% of $8.5 million for a down payment,
which means if you were to rebuild the marina right now
you’d need $2.55 million in cash as your down payment.
Mind numbing? For most of us, yes. But having this knowledge
can also be freeing and can set you on the right path
to ensure that the funds needed to replace your dock system
when it reaches the end of its useful life are available.

Important Safety Training
Now Available Online!
The International Marina Institute® has partnered with Wells Fargo
Insurance to offer online safety training courses to AMI members
through its training branch, Summit Trainingweb®.
AMI members have access to two free IMI risk management
training courses:
Hazardous Waste
Employee Safety Orientation
AMI members have access to 10 other important training programs
for a fee. $5 per person and $5 per course, in addition to an annual
hosting fee, based on the type of AMI membership level. The sliding
scale for the annual hosting fee is as follows:
$100 Level 1 1-25- slips
$150 Level 2 251-500 slips
$200 Level 3 501-750 slips
$300 Level 5 over 1,000 slips
$300 Suppliers/Marina related
$0 Students
For AMI members who are also Wells Fargo customers, the online
training will continue to be free with full access to a spectrum of
safety courses.
Wells Fargo Insurance partners with Summit Training Source, Inc.
to provide high-quality training, such as Internet-based safety
training and online videos, to its customers. There are over 120
interactive training courses available through this program.
Upon receipt of your registration & payment, you will be contacted
and provided a link with a username and password to access the
training that was purchased.
Courses Available
Intro to OSHA
HAZWOPER
Safe behaviors-No regrets
Slips, Trips, & Falls
Forklift Safety
Environmental Awareness
OSHA Recordkeeping
First Aid
Sexual Harassment
Fall Protection
Hazardous Waste
Employee Safety
Please mail, fax, or email your application:
Association of Marina Industries
Attention: Merritt Alves
50 Water Street
Warren, RI 02885
Phone: 866-367-6622
Fax: 401-247-0074
Email: malves@MarinaAssociation.org
www.marinaassociation.org
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Register Here!

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Clean Marina &
Environmental News
Webinar: Invasive Species Management
and Clean Marina Best Practices
Marinas, boaters and stakeholders from around the country
are invited to learn about best management practices
for preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS)
during a Clean Marina Webinar scheduled for 2-3:30 p.m.
on Wednesday, Nov. 7.
This is the third webinar in a series of workshops to support
Clean Marina programs in the Great Lakes region,
hosted by Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin Sea Grant programs.
The webinar is free, but you must pre-register by
November 6. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation
email with log-in information.
Attendees will learn about:
• Potential environmental impacts of boat cleaning for
AIS
• Best practices for managing transport and reporting of
AIS at marinas and boatyards
• State requirements within the Great Lakes region
• Online resources available for marinas and boaters
• Management options for boat cleaning at marinas and
boatyards
• How to engage boaters in the prevention of AIS, including
boat cleaning best practices
Conanicut Marine Goes Green with
Solar
Updated facilities can save nearly 200,000 kwh yearly
The Conanicut Marine Services boatyard has been operating
on 10 acres at Taylor Point for more than 30 years. During
that time the yard’s four sheds have serviced recreational,
competitive and commercial vessels of all sizes. Now,
Clean Marina &Environmental News Continued on Page 13

Clean Marina & Environmental News Continued from Page 12
new solar arrays are being installed on two of the yard’s
buildings that will provide clean power for the operation of
the entire facility.
The work on the solar arrays is being done by a company
called Efficient Energy Solutions, also known as E2SOL, a
3-year-old renewable energy developer and general contractor
headquartered in East Greenwich. E2SOL boasts
that it innovates renewable energy technologies, develops
custom project solutions, and offers products designed to
maximize energy consumption efficiencies.
E2SOL develops projects related to wind, solar and microhydro
power. In addition to a solar hotwater installation,
E2SOL’s previous work includes the sale and installment
of a 50-kilowatt wind turbine for Safe Way Auto Center in
Bristol. The company has also acquired the land rights to
56 acres in Massachusetts for the development of a 6-megawatt
solar farm.
In December of last year, E2SOL entered into a contract
with Conanicut Marine Services for the sale and installation
of a new solar power array. According to Anthony
Baro, the project director, E2SOL was hired to replace the
roofs on two buildings and install a 126-kilowatt solar array
on the facility. The updated facility has the potential to
net meter approximately 184,548 kilowatt hours per year of
the electrical power at Conanicut Marine Services through
National Grid’s net metering program. The result will be
a savings of nearly 4,000 tons of greenhouse gas over the
course of the system’s 25-year lifespan. That savings is
equivalent to the energy used for 7.5 million auto miles.
The boatyard project is the largest renewable energy facility
to be developed in the state’s marine trades industry thus
far. The effort is supported by a team of at least 15 local
professionals, including Jack’s Electric of Jamestown. Other
contractors on the job include F&S Electric, Munro Distributing
and Capital Roofing. Work on the project is now
approximately 50 percent complete. The new power system
is expected to be fully functional later this fall.
According to Bill Munger, owner of Conanicut Marine, the
move to solar power was a natural progression for his company.
“We’ve always been proactive in the environmental
world.”
Munger explained that two of the four boat sheds at his
yard have roofs that face south. This allows them to gather
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Clean Marina &Environmental News Continued on Page 13

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Clean Marina & Environmental News Continued from Page 12
the maximum amount of sunlight. Each of the two roofs
is 210 feet long, creating a total of 420 linear feet of southfacing
roofs. “The foundation to hold panels was already
there, so it seemed kind of silly not to do something good
with all that space.”
Munger said that by participating in National Grid’s net
metering program, the solar arrays will not only provide
power for the entire yard, but will produce excess power
that can then be sold back to the utility company.
The decision to work with E2SOL came about when Munger
saw the company’s booth at the Newport
International Boat Show two years ago. Munger said the
two had an interesting conversation about conservation.
The contractor offered to do an analysis of the electrical
use at all of Munger’s facilities, which include the boatyard,
the marina and the retail store on Narragansett Avenue.
“He did extremely comprehensive number crunching on
what we were using for electricity and what we were paying,”
Munger said. “He was proactive to come out and do
the research on his nickel.”
Munger said the more he got into the process, the more
interesting it became. Keeping in mind that the foundation
for the project was already in place, he decided to go forward.
The upgrade to solar power at the boatyard may prove to
be the end of the line as far as Conanicut Marine facilities
are involved. Munger said that none of his other buildings
have roofs that face south. As an example he cited the roof
at the retail store at 20 Narragansett Ave., where the roof
faces in the opposite direction. That would necessitate the
installation of a rack system to hold the solar array, which
means that it would not be economically feasible.

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Conference Corner
Seminars Sneak Peak
As you’ve read, IMBC has overhauled its seminar schedule
by inviting more professional speakers than previous years,
by adding breakout sessions sorted into specific coastal, inland,
and boatyard and service tracks, and by adding small
group workshops. Much of IMBC’s content is spelled out
in a 20-plus page preliminary brochure available at http://
flash-pub.com/pub/ebooks/a8022d2f44/index.php#/0.
As part of IMBC’s ongoing effort to bring you the strongest
seminar series possible, we are publishing short articles
written by this year’s speakers and outlining some key
points from their seminars. We’re not publishing the entirety
of the content, but rather providing these as a preview of
what you can expect at IMBC in Fort Lauderdale this January.
We invite you to read these articles and provide us with
feedback at http://marinaassociation.org/imbc/education/
articles that we can then share with IMBC’s speakers.
IMBC Adds Interactive Workshops to
Seminar Schedule
New in 2013, IMBC will offer six limited-attendance workshops
to full conference registrants. The workshops will be
offered on Friday, February 1 from 3:05 pm – 4:05 pm and
again from 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm. Workshops will run twice,
back-to-back to give participants the chance to attend two.
“We developed the small workshops to meet the needs of
participants who appreciate the larger setting of a big conference
with hundreds of their peers, but still crave that intimate
hands-on learning experience you get only at small
gatherings,” Frye continues. “It’s the best of both worlds.”
To attend a workshop, you must preregister for IMBC because
space is limited. For many of the workshops, speakers
and registered attendees will communicate prior to IMBC
to ensure the material in the workshop is relevant to the
audience. Topics for the smaller workshops include contract
reviews, the reality of smart phones and mobile apps,
and a confidential review of EPA and OSHA standards.
How to RSVP for a Workshop
There is no additional charge to attend a workshop but you
must RSVP to attend. To RSVP for a workshop, visit www.
marinaassociation.org/imbc/registration and click full
conference registration. Fill out your contact information
and click “add to cart.” At the next page, click “continue
shopping” to navigate back to the registration page. From
the registration page, you can choose the workshop(s) you
would like to attend. Workshops are listed below conference
registration on the registration page.
IMBC 2013 Preliminary Brochure
Available
IMBC has published a 20-plus page preliminary brochure
showcasing some of the changes marina professionals will
see at the 2013 conference, January 30–February 1, 2013,
in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Changes to the brochure include
categorized breakout sessions and limited-audience
workshops.
Click here to view the preliminary brochure.
“The preliminary brochure has been completely overhauled
to best highlight some developments we’ve added to this
year’s conference,” Jim Frye, AMI president, says. “IMBC
2013 will feature an extended seminar series with professional
speakers as well as experts within the marine industry,
breakout sessions sorted into specific coastal, inland,
and boatyard and service tracks, and limited-attendance
hands-on workshops.”
Breakout sessions at IMBC 2013 will be sorted into specific
tracks so IMBC attendees can choose a seminar based on
whether they run an inland or coastal marina and whether
their business includes a boatyard and service element.
Also, all seminars will be delineated with a session style
so you know what to expect when you walk into the room.
Topics include electrical safety at inland marinas, coastal
land leases, and tips and tricks of owning a boatyard.
Conference Corner Continued on Page 19

Conference Corner Continued from Page 18
Finally, IMBC staff will host an Oktoberfest-style beer tasting
in the exhibit hall, a golf tournament to raise funds for
the Neil Ross Fund, and a marina field trip to local marinas
and boatyards in southern Florida. Download the brochure
today!
Registration Open
Registration is now open for IMBC 2013 at www.marinaassociation.org/imbc/registration.
Full conference rates
start at $365 and include access to more than 20 educational
seminars and workshops, an exhibit hall with over 130
industry suppliers, entrance to all networking receptions
and breaks, complimentary conference bag with free promotional
items, 2 lunches, and 2 hors d’oeuvre receptions
including IMBC’s Opening Reception which will feature a
complimentary beer tasting.
AMI members are offered a discount on all registration
types. In addition, discounted rates are offered to those
who purchase a full conference pass by November 30, 2012.
Pre-registration will be available through January 25, 2013.
Onsite registration will begin on January 30 at 2:00 pm at
the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention
Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Sign up today to receive the
early bird rate and secure your spot in IMBC’s new workshops.
17

Around The World
Blue Flags Awarded to Beaches and
Marinas Across the UAE
Seven beaches in the UAE have been awarded the prestigious
Blue Flag, an internationally recognised eco-label
designed to help protect and develop stretches of coastline
and marinas around the world.
To bag a flag, the beaches had to comply with strict criteria
based on four key areas - environmental management,
information and education, water quality, public safety and
services. There are 32 criteria for beaches and 24 for marinas,
writes Kimberly Lobo.
“It is crucial to raise environmental awareness and increase
good environmental practices among the tourist industry, tourists
and local populations to achieve a healthy balance between
biodiversity protection and sustainable tourism development.”
EWS-WWF is the national coordinator of the programme
and initiated a successful pilot phase at Abu Dhabi Corniche
beach in 2011.The EWS-WWF team has since been
working with authorities and stakeholders to raise standards
nationwide.
Other UAE beaches that also currently fly a Blue Flag include
Le Meridien Mina Seyahi in Dubai and Yas Marina
and Al Bandar Marina in Abu Dhabi. They were awarded
the honour in 2011.
In Abu Dhabi, Emirates Palace Beach and Emirates Palace Marina
scooped the awards while in Dubai, both the beach and
marina at Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa picked up a flag, along
with Jumeirah Open Beach and Al Mamzar Beach Park.
The Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort in Fujairah also
gained Blue Flag status.
The Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF
(EWS-WWF), in partnership with the Foundation for Environmental
Education (FEE), awarded the accolades.
The Blue Flag programme is a global initiative of the Foundation
for Environmental Education (FEE) to protect and
develop beaches and marinas across the globe.
It is a voluntary and globally recognised eco-label that has now
been awarded to 3,849 beaches and marinas across 46 countries.
Lisa Perry, programmes director at EWS-WWF, said: “Blue
Flags are awarded for one season only and renewed annually to
coastal locations consistently meeting the expected standards.”
Perry added that the programme has earned its reputation
as a trustworthy and transparent indicator of coastal excellence
because shorelines must maintain the standards annually
to ensure they retain the Blue Flag.
The Blue Flag programme in the UAE is sponsored by Applied
Materials. Michael Baxter, the director of corporate affairs at Applied
Materials, said: “EWS-WWF is playing a critical role in promoting
environmental information and education in the region.
18
New Gold Anchor Accreditation for Marinas
The Marina Industry Association (MIA) has announced an
extension to its well established Gold Anchor International
Rating Scheme that provides customer service accreditation
for marinas. The extension to the scheme will give marinas
the option to be Gold Anchor accredited but without
a specific 3 – 5 Gold Anchor rating. This non-rated option
is called the Gold Anchor International General Scheme.
Participation in the General Scheme is based on a marina
meeting six core customer service criteria and a commitment
to abide by a customer code of ethics.
MIA Gold Anchor Committee member and a key architect
of the Gold Anchor Rating Scheme Ian McAndrew said the
addition to the scheme will provide more marinas with the
opportunity to achieve Gold Anchor customer service accreditation.
“This general scheme does not pretend to be as
detailed as the 110 point rated scheme criteria that includes
independent auditing. However it is the ideal option for
marinas that do not want to be rated but desire Gold Anchor
customer service accreditation. We also anticipate the
general scheme will result in an extensive network of Gold
Anchor marinas across the globe with many subsequently
moving through to participate in Gold Anchor rating”.
MIA President Andrew Chapman said the extension to the
Gold Anchor Scheme was a logical move to enable more
marinas to benefit from the value of the well-known Gold
Anchor brand. “Customer service is at the forefront of any
successfully run marina. This new initiative enables these
marinas to achieve an industry customer service accreditation
based on sound foundations and linked to MIA’s wellestablished
Gold Anchor International Rating Scheme”.

19
Legislation &
By Wendy Larimer
AMI supports education programs aimed at making boating
a safer and consequently more fun activity for all participants.
As part of this support we work with the National Safe Boating
Council’s “Wear It” initiative to encourage lifejacket wear,
educating, instead of enforcing, the common sense practice of
wearing a lifejacket while underway. Since marinas are a gateway
for boaters to hit the water, they are also a prime location
to help spread the message that lifejackets should be a part of a
boater’s checklist of items to have before they hit the water.
The “Wear It!” Life Jacket Campaign: Bringing Fun and
Education to Your Marina, Rachel Johnson, National Safe
Boating Council
partnerships
Are you looking for an easy, inexpensive way to share some
safety tips with boaters that visit your marina? The National
Safe Boating Council’s “Wear It!” campaign is a year-round
outreach campaign designed to educate boaters about the
importance of wearing a life jacket at all times while out on
the water. Life jacket wear is one of the most effective and
simple life-saving strategies for safe recreational boating.
We know what you’re thinking – when people hear the word
“life jacket,” they think of the bulky, orange style that no one
wants to wear because it’s just too uncomfortable. “Wear It!”
educates boaters about other types of life jackets that are available,
such as inflatable life jackets for those that are 16 or older
that are a great alternative because they’re lightweight and
unobtrusive. There are even comfortable inherently buoyant
(foam-filled) life jackets that are great for a day cruising out
on the water. As recreational boating professionals, we just
need to introduce these options to boaters.
How do you educate boaters about what types of life jackets
are out there and why it’s so important to wear one while boating?
“Wear It!” provides resources, most of which are free, for
you to reach out to boaters. The “Wear It!” web site, www.Safe-
BoatingCampaign.com, offers public service announcements,
information on how to choose the right life jacket for each boating
activity, and free downloadable logos customized with your
company’s name for you to post around your facility. Beginning
March 2013, it will also offer free handouts, including bro-
chures, posters, and stickers for kids, for you to have available
at your marina. There are also some great for-sale items, such as
signs and banners that can be placed at the put-in site or at the
end of a dock to help deliver the “Wear It!” message.
Recreational water activities can be a fun, safe and enjoyable
time for your family and friends, but when the “Wear It!” message
is ignored, the consequences can be grim. In 2011, drowning
was the reported cause of death in almost three-fourths of
all boating fatalities. Of those, 84 percent were reported as not
wearing their life jackets. That’s why the National Safe Boating
Council wants to help you promote the “Wear It!” theme this
boating season. We encourage the use of this phrase among
all boating safety advocates, as it is a tested, proven message
driving the right behavior by boating enthusiasts.
Do you still have questions on how to use “Wear It!” in your
area? Are you looking for local partners to hold “Wear It!”
safety events at your marina? Would you like to participate
during National Safe Boating Week 2013 – May 18-24? Our
Communications Director would be more than happy to
provide you with additional information, share some ideas
and techniques when talking to boaters, and suggest possible
partnerships in your area. Contact the National Safe Boating
Council at (703) 361-4294 or outreach@safeboatingcouncil.
org to get started today!

YOU KNOW WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BOATS...
LET IMI ®
TEACH YOU THE REST.
Marina businesses have evolved into sophisticated,
capital-intensive, highly regulated enterprises that require
top professional management.
Get on the inside track by becoming a
Certified Marina Manager.
∙ Personnel management
∙ Regulatory obligations
∙ Customer service and marketing
∙ Risk and liabilities
∙ Marine law
∙ Fire and emergency response
∙ Health and safety compliance
∙ Environmental management
∙ Industry networking
∙ Quality control
Certified Marina Managers (CMM) earn higher wages, advance further within the industry, and gain international respect.
2013 Training Schedule
International Marina and Boatyard Conference Fort Lauderdale, FL January 30 – February 1, 2013
Advanced Marina Management Course (AMM) Charleston, SC February 24 – March 1, 2013
Advanced Marina Management (AMM) San Francisco, CA September 22- September 27, 2013
2-day Interactive Workshop Fort Lauderdale, FL October 27 – October 28, 2013
2 nd Annual Owners Forum Fort Lauderdale, FL October 29– October 30, 2013
7 th Annual South FL Marina Study Tour Fort Lauderdale, FL October 29 - October 30, 2013
Intermediate Marina Management Course Fort Lauderdale, FL November 10 – November 14, 2013
Endorsed by:
International Council Of Marine Industry Associations- was formed in 1967 to bring
together in one global organization all the national boating federations and other bodies
involved in the recreational marine industry, and to represent them at an international level.
International Marina Institute ® ∙ 50 Water Street Warren, RI ∙ 401-247-0314 ∙ www.marinaassociation.org

News From Washington
NMMA Appeals Court Ruling on E15
NMMA last week filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals
for the D.C. Circuit to request a review of its August
ruling on E15 that dismissed NMMA’s challenge to the Environmental
Protection Agency’s waiver allowing E15 to be
sold. NMMA and a coalition of industry groups representing
manufacturers of everything from automobiles to food,
filed suit to block the waiver because of the damaging effects
of allowing E15 into the U.S. fuel supply. Visit the NMMA
and coalition site, www.smarterfuelfuture.org for more on
the issues surrounding E15 and how you can take action.
The ruling in August by a panel of three judges from the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled 2-1 against
NMMA and the coalition. The case was dismissed on procedural
grounds, holding that the Petitioners lacked standing
to sue and did not reach the merits of the case.
Through its appeal, NMMA is asking for a review of the decision
by all judges on the D.C. Circuit Court (called en banc).
For more information please contact NMMA’s Chief Counsel
for Public Affairs and Director of Regulatory Affairs,
Cindy Squires at 202-737-9766.
Hunter and Angler Numbers Up; Expenditures
Rival Some of America’s Biggest Companies
A coalition of hunting and angling groups including,
NMMA members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus,
reported a recent rise in hunting and fishing participation
in the U.S. The groups, in addition to NMMA, included the
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Cabela’s, Safari Club
International, National Shooting Sports Foundation and the
American Sportfishing Association. They used recently released
data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service)
2011 National Survey on Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife
Associated Recreation to compare hunting and fishing
participation and expenditures to mainstream industries.
Highlights of the findings included:
• The participation and economic data, released in August
by the Service shows a 9 percent increase in hunters
and an 11 percent increase in anglers compared to
the 2006 survey.
• 37 million sportsmen and women over the age of
16 participated in hunting and angling
• Hunters and anglers continued their strong spending habits:
21
• Equipment expenditures noted $8.2 billion for
hunters, $6.2 billion for anglers
• Trip-related expenses totaled over $32 billion
• Sportsmen and women are the nation’s most ardent
conservationists, putting money toward state fish and
wildlife management.
• Hunters and anglers directed $3 billion towards onthe-ground
conservation and restoration efforts in
2011 - that is over $95 every second.
A full report that will include state-by-state information
will be released in late November.
Budget Law Will Freeze Sport Fish
Restoration Fund
On September 14, the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) released its recommendations for budget cuts that
include withholding parts of the Sport Fish Restoration
and Boating Trust Fund. This would have a negative impact
on fisheries conservation and the jobs it supports. This
move was triggered by the failure of the Congress and the
Administration to enact a plan to reduce the deficit by $1.2
trillion, as required by the Budget Control Act of 2011.
The total annual value of the Trust Fund is approximately $650
million. The monies from the fund are apportioned to state conservation
agencies for sport fish restoration, boating safety, angler
and boater access and other fishing and boating programs.
The marine manufacturing industry produces a $72 billion annual
economic impact, creating over 350,000 jobs. In addition,
recreational fishing adds $125 billion each year to the nation’s
economy and supports more than one million jobs. Since its inception,
the Sport Fish Restoration Act has pumped $7 billion
into habitat restoration, access and boating safety programs.
A related program, the Wildlife Restoration Act of 1936, after
which the Sportfish Trust Fund was patterned, is slated
for a $31 million freeze. That Act is funded by hunters and
men and women who engage in the shooting sports and archery,
who pay a similar tax to support wildlife restoration.
Congress, with the cooperation of the Administration, must
address the sequestration schedule and they will not occur until
after the elections and possibly not until early 2013 and with
a new Congress. NMMA will be closely following this process
and will continue to work on behalf of the recreational boating
industry, and update readers as more information is available.

Training & Certification
By Kayce Cashill Florio
IMI Training
Upcoming Training Opportunities!
Intermediate Marina Management Course (IMM)
Fort Lauderdale, FL, November 4 – 8, 2012
7th Annual South FL Marina Study Tour, Fort Lauderdale, FL
October 29 - October 30, 2013
Intermediate Marina Management Course
Fort Lauderdale, FL, November 10 – 14, 2013
2013
International Marina and Boatyard Conference
Fort Lauderdale, FL, January 30 – February 1, 2013
Advanced Marina Management Course (AMM)
Charleston, SC, February 24- March 1, 2013
Intermediate Marina Management Course, Southern CA,
March 2013
Advanced Marina Management (AMM), San Francisco, CA
September 22- September 27, 2013
2-day Interactive Workshop, Fort Lauderdale, FL
October 27 – October 28, 2013
2nd Annual Owners Forum, Fort Lauderdale, FL
October 29– October 30, 2013
With BoatU.S. Insurance,
You’re Not Just A Number...
BoatU.S. Member Bruce Fournier aboard
“G’Day” on the Braden River in Florida.
“So often in this day and age,
customer service representatives
are indifferent in their dealings
with clients over the phone. I was
extremely satisfied with the helpful
and courteous way my insurance
inquiry was handled and want to
thank you for having people of
this caliber available for your
insurance customers.”
—Bruce Fournier,
Bradenton, FL
You’re Number One!
At BoatU.S., you’ll find boating experts with the answers you
need when you call. Our knowledgeable Underwriters not only
find the perfect coverage for your boat and boating lifestyle,
we’ll work with you to help find ways to save on your premium.
And, as a Berkshire Hathaway company, you can be sure
BoatU.S. will be here each and every time you need us.
For a fast, free quote call 1-800-283-2883
or apply online at BoatUS.com
Policies Subject to Limits and Exclusions
22
IMI Gearing Up for Largest
Management Course in Five Years
Marina training group well received in CA, plans to return
After a first, and successful, Intermediate Marina Management
(IMM) course in San Francisco, California, in September,
staff from the International Marina Institute (IMI),
the training subsidiary of the Association of Marina Industries
(AMI), is gearing up for its largest IMM in five years
in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, November 4–8, 2012.
“The California IMM was special because it was the first full
IMI course to run in conjunction with California Association of
Harbor Master and Port Captains,” Kayce Florio, IMI’s training
coordinator, says. “And, we’re thrilled to see such strong registration
numbers for our upcoming IMM in Florida on the heels
of this successful California training. Training is again becoming
a priority after several challenging years; that’s a good thing
for everyone and most importantly for our industry.”
After receiving evaluations from the California IMM acknowledging
the “very diverse and knowledgeable group”
and touting the “value of networking and developing relationships
with industry peers,” IMI plans to return to
Southern California in March for another IMM.
Marina Career Path Flow Chart
IMI’s Career Path Task Force created a flow chart that would
identify the positions along a marina career path. This flow
chart focused on 3 branches within the marina setting, operations,
boatyard and service, and brokerage. One of IMI’s strategic
goals was to create a flow chart that identifies how someone
who starts at an entry-level position could progress through the
positions to ultimately become a General Manager of a marina.
This flow chart identifies these positions, and more importantly
identifies the training and certification opportunities along the
career path and links the user to the sites that provide information
and these opportunities. Examples of the links to training
offerings include, ABBRA, ABYC and YBBA.
Training & Certification Continued on Page 13

{
{
Training & Certification Continued
from Page 12
Marina Career Path
Marina Operations
Marina Manager
Certified Marina Manager (CMM)
Certified Marina
IMI’s AMM Course
General
Manager
Other Marina Business Units
Drystack/Boat
Rental
Certified Marina Operator
(CMO)
IMI’s MOC and IMM Courses
Dockmaster/
Harbormaster
Certified Marina Operator
(CMO)
IMI’s MOC Course and IMM
Service Manager
Certified Marine Service
Manager (CMSM)
ABBRA’s MSM Course
Broker
YABBA
Certification
Middle
Manager
Fuel Dock
Supervisor
Keene State
OSHA/HAZMAT
Shop Foreman/
Boatyard Supervisor
ABYC Certifications
ABYC Technical courses &
Keene State OSHA/HAZMAT
Launch Operator
Coast Guard License
USCG Training
Equipment
Operator
IMI MEOT
Keene State OSHA/
HAZMAT
Boatyard Tech
ABYC certifications
ABYC Technical
courses
Skilled
Staff
Dockhand/Fuel
Attendant
IMI Online Training TBD
AMI/Wells Fargo Training
BMF Dockmasters Course
Entry
Level
Go to http://marinaassociation.org/traning/marina-career-path.
To access this information and training links online. Training & Certification Continued on Page 13
23

Training & Certification Continued from Page 12
Basic Marina Operations Training Guide
Now Available!
IMI’s Basic Marina Operations Training Guide is now
available for purchase. This guide will be provided both
in hard-copy and in electronic form, and is a training program
directed towards entry-level staff and seasonal help.
This manual was developed using the British Marine Federation’s
basic training program and was edited to convert
all modules for use in domestic operations.
The objective of the Basic Marina Operations Training
Guide is to deliver marina-specific skills and knowledge to
workers in marinas and, where appropriate, boatyards.
This course is designed for all staff below management level,
such as:
• Dockmasters
• Dockhands
• Berthing/mooring administrators
• Yard workers
• Forklift/Hoist and travel Lift operators
• Site-care and maintenance staff
• Marina Boat Operators
• Pump-Out Operators
• Fueling Technicians
Most of the modules are designed
to be completed at or
near to the employee’s place of
work and is a self guided program
that the operator completes
under the guidance of
their manager. Clear guidance
notes are included for both
the operator and the manager.
Please read these before embarking on the course.
The syllabus content is covered in the ‘Index of Modules’ and is
intended to cover all the subjects needed for operator to work
with confidence and competence. It is also intended to provide
guidelines for the employer and a record of training and achievement
for regulatory compliance and records documentation.
Training should begin on the first day of employment as there
are subjects that should be covered during employee orientation.
The operator has 12 months to complete the course;
this course can be embedded into your organizations overall
training program. It is recommended that the training section
of the AMI/IMI Marina Operations Manual (MOM)
be reviewed and utilized in the development of the marina’s
training program, using the training chapter in this manual.
Marina Management Professionals
Third Party – Turn Key
Marina Management
Full Service, All Accounting, Insurance Pool
Design & Development –
Construction Management
Our Client List Includes:
Financial Institutions,
Corporate Ownership,
Family & Individual Ownership
Marinas International Management Division
727-822-9173 Kirby@marinasintl.com
11226 Indian Trail
Dallas, TX 75229
1110 3rd St. South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
24
Course Structure
The course is divided into Mandatory and Optional Modules.
Marina Operators must complete all of the Mandatory
Modules and at least one of the Optional Modules.
Mandatory Modules are as follows:
1. Orientation
2. First Aid
3. Health, Safety and Fire Prevention
4. Customer Care/Public Relations
5. Security
6. Personal Safety
7. Berthing/Mooring Administration
8. Boat Handling
9. Environmental Management
Optional Modules – choose one from:
10. Marina and Plant Maintenance
11. Office Administration and Payments
The Guide can be purchased online through AMI’s website
at http://marinaassociation.org/publications/ami-resources.
It sells at $249 for members and $349 for non-members.

AMI Contact Information
Merritt Alves
AMI Membership Coordinator
Phone: (866) 367-6622
Fax: (401) 247-0074
malves@marinaassociation.org
Wendy Larimer
AMI Legislative Coordinator
(202) 350-9623
wlarimer@marinaassociation.org
Kayce Cashill-Florio
International Marina Institute (IMI)
Education & Training Programs
(401) 247-0314
imitraining@marinaassociation.org
Rachel LaMarre
International Marina & Boatyard Conference (IMBC)
(401) 682-7334
IMBC@marinaassociation.org
AMI
50 Water Street
Warren, RI 02885
www.marinaassociation.org
Toll free: (866) 367-6622
www.MarinaAssociation.org