Part 1 – Workforce Your love is like a ship in the ocean. And you’ve been boating with a cargo full of love and devotion. It’s time to rock the boat in Massachusetts! This year the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association – Business of Boating (BOB) Conference had two main topics; workforce and regulations. It was […]
Business of Boating (BOB) Conference Regulatory
Part 2 – Regulatory Jamy Buchanan Madeja, Esq., Buchanan & Associates talked about the regulatory updates for the state of Massachusetts. One of the big things coming down the pipeline is the Hanson/Malone Boater Safety Act. Massachusetts is the only state in New England that does not have a boater safety bill. Buchanan & Associates […]
Business of Boating (BOB) Conference – Industry Up
Part 3 – Industry Updates Frank Farrell Distinguished Service Award Frank Farrell dedicated himself to both the visibility and growth of recreational boating. And the marine industry in Massachusetts. He was a co-creator of the New England Boat Show in 1957. He was instrumental in the formation of the MMTA in 1964 and the first […]
Jay (JBONE) Sawyer, the Universe and the El Faro S...
We first met at the Portland Yacht Boat Show. As my friend and I walked around I noticed this guy sitting alone at a table by the exit. It seemed rather odd. Maybe he was waiting for someone. On our way back inside the boat show I noticed that guy was still sitting by himself. […]
Suddenly in Command: Practicing Man Overboard duri...
This article was published in Summer 2020 Nor’Easter for TONE (Tartan Owners Northeast; page 3). For the rest of the series go here. Editor’s Note: At the time of the composition of this article, the United States was in “Shelter in Place” mode due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Though some of the restrictions have eased, […]
Suddenly in Command: Spare Parts and Tools
This article was published in Winter 2020 Nor’Easter for TONE (Tartan Owners Northeast; page 3). For the rest of the series go here. It’s 4:00pm and the last tender from Grand Cayman Island left the dock an hour ago. Everyone’s safely on board and we’re heading for Cozumel. As I prepare to get ready for […]
Suddenly in Command ~ Check Your Emergency Equipme...
Woohoo! Boating season is here. That means it’s time to check your emergency (safety) equipment. There’s nothing worse than being out on the water when an emergency strikes. Your loved one or friend becomes suddenly-in-command. They can’t find your equipment. Or, worse yet, it is old, falling apart or missing. According to the Chapman’s Piloting […]
Two Boating Forces Donate to ABYC Foundation for T...
Just around lunch time opening day at the Miami Boat Show, I headed over to the BRP Evinrude booth. I wanted to check in with Nando Zucchi to see what was happening. The 400+sf booth was standing room only. There must be a huge announcement (I thought) for this much press to hang out. John […]
What does boating and hunting have in common?
“Both are two strange activities I got into as an adult,” says Nando Zucchi, VP Special Marketing for Evinrude. Lucky for BRP Marine Group, Zucchi chose to stay with boats. Growing up in Reading, Massachusetts, just 15 miles north of Boston, Zucchi didn’t do any boating. It wasn’t until he moved to Milwaukee. There he […]
A Day in the Life of a Seafarer
Some will argue life at sea was easier back before regulations were established by the IMO, US Coast Guard and ABS. But was it really? Most of the ships were Foreign Flags. That meant long tours of duty and no union. Today you’ll find seafarers prefer American flagships; the pay is better, and they’re unionized. […]