Sept12 (2).pdf - Association of Marina Industries

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Industry News Continued from Page 6ward with marina upgrades, which include dredge workthat would help sustain business during drought years.The Frisco Marina staff and Frisco Rowing Center are gatheringsupport to urge council to approve Phase II upgrades in themarina master plan, where dredging work would prevent thewater from moving as far from the dock as it did this year.The construction would direct water closer to the marinaand dock so that it would remain there during years wherewater levels recede from launching sites.“This is a great opportunity, one that has not presented itselfsince 2002,” said Phil Hofer, Frisco Marina manager.“We have to look at the water levels and do this dredgework when they are low enough for long enough.”Hofer said that the current conditions are ideal and showa glimpse of a brief period that would be ideal in movingforward with upgrades.“I’m really trying to push for the fall of 2012 because thespring of 2013 might have a lot of snow that could keep thisfrom happening,” Hofer said.To make the improvements a reality, the marina needs thefinancial assistance of the town.“Whether or not we move forward with this right now is allup to my supervisors,” Hofer said. “If they don’t feel that this isprudent right now or financially feasible then it’s not. I supportthe town’s decision, but we might not see another opportunityfor a long time — this is all weather and water level dependentand now is a great time as far as conditions are concerned.”Avid recreationalists who utilize the Frisco Marina say theupgrades would extend their season, provide the communitywith improved facilities and limit difficult launchingduring drought years.“The future plans are to build a boat house and docks right offthe dock so we won’t have to walk down the road to launchour boats, which are very cumbersome to carry,” said JoanneStolen, president of Frisco Rowing Center. “Members of therowing community are walking all the way down that roadcarrying boats. We’ve moved the dock so many times duringthis drought year — we need the dredging work to be doneso that water levels never drop this low again.”Maryland Department of Natural Resources andHuron Consulting recently completed and releaseda report that analyzes the various containment andtreatment options for pressure wash waste waterand gives an excellent comparison of the manytechnologies that are available. The report can beviewed and downloaded at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/cleanmarina/permit_discharges.asp.Though the council has not discussed completing the projectthis fall, it is planning on adding it to the agenda, accordingto Mayor Gary Wilkinson“We’re not sure if there is enough time left to do it this fall,”Wilkinson said. “We have to consider the funding for this aswell and see what the marina has available and what they areable to do — we still have much to discuss as a council.”Currently, the reservoir is down 23 feet from annual averagesand the ramp is closed for the season so boaters haveto launch from the Dillon Marina.“The marina is one of the highlights of Frisco,” Stolen said.“During this drought year it’s become an eyesore — withthe upgrades we could put the marina in a better positionfor drought years and keep the business in Frisco.”Reservoir at lowest level in a decadeThe last time the reservoir experienced levels as low as thisyear was following the 2002 drought year.“This is the second worse I’ve ever seen water levels at DillonReservoir, compared to 2002 at that point the water wasabout a half-mile from the marina,” said Tim Jenkins, treasurerof the Frisco Rowing Center. “Low water levels cutdown on the town business because they have a difficulttime renting out boats and kayaks and the launching rampcan not be used.”The low water levels also affect the length of the season forboaters.“Our season lasts as long as we can stand it. We usually seepeople rowing in November but this year I doubt anyonewill row any later than mid-October. In the spring it takesa while for the reservoir to get back to normal levels ... Nextyear it will take a long time — we probably won’t get outuntil mid-June.”8Industry News Continued on Page 8
Marina Trade Association NewsMarina Recreation AssociationThe Marina Recreation Association (MRA) was foundedin 1971 by three California marina operators who wereconcerned about increasing governmental regulations affectingtheir businesses and who felt the industry neededunity. Over forty years later, the organization has grownto over 234 members and has expanded its mission andgoals to better fit with the marina of today.Holding the group together is Operations Administrator,Mariann Timms, who has been in her position since 2000and was in membership services from 1994 until 2000. TheOperations Administrator is assisted by an executive committee,board of directors, regional vice presidents, trade directors,general counsel and contracted legislative advocates.Working with such a large group of volunteers is not alwayseasy. Timms says, “It is always challenging to be theone ‘hired’ person who is answering to a volunteer Boardof Directors with 21 positions, with differing opinions onwhat is important and varying needs for getting projectsdone. Though I manage to juggle the challenges put forth,and appreciate the help of the Executive Committee.She says additional challenges include, “Other issues aregrowing the Association during these economic times.Lastly, gathering information from the industry to put togetherthe various communications I deal with is always adifficult task (I put together the newsletter, website information,conference handouts and information, etc.).”Timms came to her position through word of mouth. “I wasworking for Dave Smith (Water Resorts Inc.) when he wasvoted into the position of Vice President of the Association.The Vice President is in charge of the Educational Conferenceso he asked me to coordinate some of the work. Thenthe following year I worked with another Board Director(who was then Vice President). After that, the Board feltthey needed to transition the project of the annual conferencefrom a volunteer position/Board Member to a paidposition, and hired me to continue producing the annualconferences and recruit new members,” she comments.MRA’s members own and operate boating facilities onlakes, rivers and harbors in western states including AZ,CA, ID, NV, UT, WA, HI, Mexico, Canada and Australia.All benefit from a myriad of member benefits whichis topped by the MRA’s sponsorship of the largest marinaeducation conference and trade show on the coast.This annual event not only provides valuable networkingto participants but includes seminars on current topicstaught by experienced industry leaders that discuss is-9sues affecting boaters, marina owners and operators.In addition to the annual conference, MRA members areprovided timely information on regulatory issues, templatesfor environmental reports, licenses and agreements,professional guidance, newsletters, internet and social mediaupdates and information, and finally a network of marinaprofessionals to share knowledge and experience.Unique to the association is their agreement with the CADepartment of Boating and Waterways to receive an annualgrant to be used for repairs and maintenance fundingof marina pumpouts at MRA member marinas. Thefunds come from the federal Clean Vessel Act grant andare distributed by MRA at a cap of $1610 per facility withthe marina contributing a 25% match.With so much on the agenda of MRA there are many issuesthat face the membership which MRA addresses. Timmscomments, “The economy is the number one issue. Followedby the regulatory climate; CA leads the country withthe most highly regulated climate. Not only are we subjectto a myriad of regulations and agencies, many times thoseagencies cannot agree as to the interpretation of the regulation,even within the SAME regulatory agency. Dealingwith our regulatory climate has become a nearly full timeposition, overwhelming our marina members.”She continues, “In addition, the recreational side of the boatingindustry has changed dramatically, for a variety of reasons.Changes in the school year schedule (shorter summervacation times), the high cost of entry into boating ($50-75,000 ski boats), and a change in demographics from BabyBoomers who were a generation of ‘do it yourselfers’ to theMillennials, who expect immediate gratification and areless apt to be hands-on (unless it’s a keyboard or a mouse!).Today, aging Baby Boomers are also more apt to choose, orcross over to, the RV lifestyle and are shifting away fromboating. MRA’s members in the boat rental business havefelt the effects of many of these factors as well.”Despite the full slate of issues and challenges, Timms doesfind joy in her job which is what has kept her onboard forall these years. “Communicating with the members (isthe best part). I have made many friends over the past 17plus years. Our industry is full of good people who workhard and enjoy boating and all it has to offer. They are acaring bunch, who have worked diligently to keep thisindustry ‘afloat’,” says Timms.For more information visit www.marina.org.
Page 1: 1September 2012ADVOCATEIn this issu
Page 6 and 7: Industry News Continued from Page 5
Page 12 and 13: By Charles FortTechnical AdviceFrom
Page 14 and 15: 14Technical Advice Continued from P
Page 16 and 17: Important Safety TrainingNow Availa
Page 18 and 19: Clean Marina &Environmental NewsFac
Page 20 and 21: 20Conference CornerIMI’s Fall Eve
Page 23 and 24: 23Around The WorldMourjan Marinas I
Page 25 and 26: Around the World Continued from Pag
Page 27 and 28: 27Legislation &By Wendy Larimerpart
Page 29 and 30: Training & CertificationBy Kayce Ca
Page 31 and 32: 31Advertising OpportunitiesAMI Advo

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