NMMA

CHICAGO, May 30, 2007 - - The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) recently launched the third installment of its Access America Marine Export Guide, a unique search tool providing industry buyers immediate access to the products and services they need. Accessible through a link on the NMMA website, (www.nmma.org/international) the Guide features a broad array of products and service listings helpful to domestic and international industry players in running their businesses.

NMMA once again partnered with MultiView Inc., an Irving, Texas-based publisher of electronic buyer and supplier guides, to develop the Access America Marine Export Guide. “NMMA recognizes the benefits of providing timely information for industry buyers,” says NMMA president Thom Dammrich. “The Guide will save them an incredible amount of time as they seek products and services unique to the recreational boating industry.”

Guidelines for effective performance with a cleaner, greener fuel

Omaha, Neb. (May 8, 2007) – As summer quickly approaches, many in the boating community are in the process of transitioning their fuel use to an ethanol-enriched blend. Through the introduction of an informational campaign, boaters can learn how to best optimize performance of their watercraft with E10, a blend of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline.

Manufacturers of all major brands of marine motors approve the use of up to a 10 percent ethanol blend in their equipment without voiding the warranty. The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) no longer requires a sticker warning about alcohol fuels to be placed on new boats as there are now far fewer issues with the use of E10.

“We found that once the transition to E10 is complete and the first few tanks of ethanol-enriched fuel are run through the system, the issues with E10 are manageable,” said Bob Adriance, Technical Advisor with BoatU.S. “We’ve also seen that owners who use their boats frequently and cycle through fuel have less problems than those whose boats are only occasionally used.”

Comprehensive rulemaking affects all sectors of marine manufacturing

CHICAGO, April 18, 2007 – Yesterday afternoon, April 17, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) signed a proposed rule that, once finalized, will result in the largest regulatory action in the history of the recreational marine industry. The EPA rule, titled “Control of Emissions from Non-road Spark Ignition Engines and Equipment,” impacts boatbuilders, gasoline engine manufacturers (both outboard and inboard/sterndrive) and manufacturers of marine generators. The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is encouraging its members to submit comments to EPA on its proposal by the August 3 deadline.

NMMA becomes first organization to join NMBA at Associate level

CHICAGO, April 17, 2007 – The National Marine Bankers Association (NMBA) recently approved a change to its by-laws allowing Associate Membership in the organization, and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) has signed on to become NMBA’s first Associate Member.

“NMMA has always been a partner and strong supporter of NMBA and its role in the industry,” says Jim Coburn, NMBA president. “We’re proud to welcome NMMA into our membership ranks and invite other industry groups to follow its lead and become more involved with the association”

In addition to NMMA, several more industry companies have joined NMBA at the Associate level. New NMBA Associate Members are: ABOS Marine Blue Book; Atlantic Boat Documentation Inc.; Butzel Long Attorneys and Counselors; Davis & Company Ltd.; First America Transportation Title Insurance Company; Global Marine Insurance Agency; Harrison Marine Inc.; Lab Marine; Marine Finance Consultants; National Liquidators; and Travelers Insurance.

Boat, engine manufacturers and dealers should note responsibilities under new requirements

CHICAGO, Monday, March 12, 2007 – Beginning January 1, 2008, the State of California will introduce a new, more stringent set of exhaust emission regulations for sterndrive and inboard (SD/I) gasoline marine engines, and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is encouraging all parties in the SD/I distribution channel—including boatbuilders, engine manufacturers and boat and engine retailers—to understand their individual responsibilities and liabilities associated with the ruling.

“Unlike previously enacted outboard engine and personal watercraft emission regulations, which placed the compliance burden exclusively on marine engine manufacturers, the compliance burden and liability for the SD/I regulation will be shared between the dealer, boatbuilder and engine maker,” says John McKnight, NMMA director of Environmental Safety and Compliance. “That said, it’s critical each party understand its role and know the required steps in order to comply with the ruling.”

Website listings will help increase marina visibility, encourage consumer boating participation

CHICAGO, Tuesday, March 20, 2007 - - The Association of Marina Industries (AMI) Board of Directors unanimously voted to endorse a plan aimed at increasing visibility and accessibility of marina information by featuring it more prominently on DiscoverBoating.com. Beginning this spring, all U.S. marinas will receive free basic listings on the website, with more detailed listings—including website links—available to facilities that contribute a minimum of $250 per location to the Grow Boating Initiative’s Rising Tide Fund.

More than 2.8 million visits to www.DiscoverBoating.com were recorded last year, and that number is expected to grow in 2007, the second year of the Discover Boating national advertising and marketing campaign. The website’s “Marinas and Launch Ramps” section is one of its most popular features, consistently ranking in the top three most visited pages.