As a job creator in the boating industry who depends on the boating improvements and funding provided by the California Department of Boating and Waterways, I am writing to oppose your proposal to fold the department into the Department of Recreation (DPR).

Boating and Waterways is self-funded national model of how best to distribute the more than $70 million collected each year from California boaters.  It focuses only on boating infrastructure improvements, police training and funding, boating safety, aquatic weed control and beach erosion.

Dismantling the department and putting these funds in the hands of the Parks and Recreation department would provide almost no savings to the state and would dilute the benefits these funds currently provide.  I have no confidence that DPR would only use the tax dollars collected from boaters to serve the needs of boaters.  Despite any intent or promises to the contrary, I believe that, very soon, the money paid by boaters would be used to fund improvements throughout the state park system in ways that only tangentially – if at all – benefit the boating community.

California had 906,000 boats registered in 2009, a number surpassed only by Florida.  The economic impact of boating is massive.  Given its importance to the California economy, it deserves to have the funds collected from boaters used to fund a department focused on building and preserving and growing the services that they need.

Particularly given the fact that doing away with the Department of Boating and Waterways will save as little as $600,000 a year, I believe it is not worth the disruption of funding, as well as the risk that the funds will not be administered as skillfully as they have been over the decades that the Department of Boating and Waterways has controlled their distribution.

For these reasons, I ask that you reconsider your decision to merge the Department of Boating and Waterways into DPR.

Thank you for considering our views and your attention to this very significant concern.

Sincerely,

Executive Director, SCMA
Dave Geoffroy

(Click here for a downloadable template of the above letter)

Read more

California Governor Jerry Brown has recommended in his 2012-2013 Budget proposal to the Legislature that the Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) and the Boating and Waterways Commission (BWC) be eliminated.

Brown proposes to merge the DBW into the Department of Parks and Recreation and do away entirely with the BWC.

If this proposal is approved by the Legislature, the end result will be the end of transparency as to how the state spends money generated by the boating community and will allow the state to divert OUR money to non-boating interests to help address the multi-billion dollar California deficit.

WE MUST NOT LET THIS HAPPEN!

Please prepare to immediately respond when we ask you to take action.

SENATE BILL 623 WILL PROHIBIT VESSELS WITH BOTTOM PAINT CONTAINING COPPER FROM SALE IN CALIFORNIA.

Senate Bill 623 authored by Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) in its current form would require the Department of Pesticide Regulation to determine the maximum allowable leach rate for low-leach rate antifouling paints. More importantly, SB 623 would prohibit, on and after January 1, 2015, a manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer, or distributor from selling or offering for sale in California a new recreational vessel containing antifouling paint that contains copper.

We do not know the final ramifications of SB 623 as it will be amended soon. Our members must be prepared to respond quickly when the amendments are publicized by the Author if SCMA determine that the passage of SB 623 is detrimental to your interests.

To continue reading please click here.

Orange, CA – February 13, 2012 — The 56th Annual Los Angeles Boat Show, which took place February 9 through 12 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, saw an increase in attendance of 10% over last year’s numbers, according to show producer Dave Geoffroy, Executive Director of the Southern California Marine Association. “We had more boats on display this year, and the exhibitors we spoke with had positive feedback and were pleased with leads and boat sales at the show” said Geoffroy. “The show was jam-packed with fun and activities for the whole family. We worked hard in our marketing and public relations to stimulate attendance and it paid off. We’re pleased that the boating industry is seeing increases in attendance at many boat shows, and that some growth is occurring in the Southern California market. This is a good sign for the economy and for boating enthusiasts.”

Presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, the Official Watercraft Insurance Provider, this annual event is the largest and most prestigious boat show in the western United States.

This year’s show featured everything from affordable family-oriented boats to the most luxurious motor yachts, speed boats, fishing boats, family cruisers and boating and marine accessories.

For more information, please call Bill Long at 949-683-4990.

Far beyond his work with the Association, Harry was our friend.  He was a gentle, kind soul who adored his wife, his family, his friends and life itself.

Congratulations Harry on a life well done.  You will be missed – you will be remembered.

-Your friends at the SCMA

Harry’s Memorial Service will held on Monday, November 28, 2011, at 10:00 AM at the San Juan Capistrano Mission.   In lieu of flowers, the Family requests a donation be made to the San Juan Capistrano Mission in Harry’s name.

Advance estimates indicate that sales will be up 1.7 percent on a rolling 12-month basis through August. That’s the first sign of growth in more than two years, the association said.  New powerboat registrations were down 7 percent on a rolling 12-month basis through June, compared with a year earlier.

Recreational boat and marine engine export volumes were up 3 percent in the second quarter of 2011 and dollars were down 4 percent from a year earlier. Corresponding import volumes were up 9 percent and dollars were up 6 percent, the NMMA said.