Member Message Header 2012
The American Boating Congress is Next Week
May 5-7, 2014, Washington D.C. 
 
The American Boating Congress (ABC), co-hosted by 36 organizations including, the MTA/NJ, is a comprehensive legislative conference that brings together recreational boating industry leaders to formulate public policy and present a unified front on issues that impact marine businesses.  
 
There is still time to attend! 
Click here for more information and to register. Click on the infographic on the left for more reasons to join the industry leaders from across the country in Washington D.C. May 5-7.

Board Member, Ray Fernandez and Executive Director,  Melissa Danko will be attending to represent MTA/NJ, but all members are welcome to join. Stay tuned for an update following the conference.
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MTA/NJ Annual Dinner & Elections Highlights
 
Thank you to everyone that attended the MTA/NJ Annual Dinner & Elections that was held at Jumping Brook Country Club in Neptune on April 17th. The event included the installation of the 2014-2015 MTA/NJ Board of Directors and Sponsor of the Year Awards. 
 

Fred Brueggemann of Key Harbor Marina & Yacht Sales in Waretown will continue to serve as President of the Association. Walter Johnson, III of Johnson & Towers, Inc. in Mt. Laurel will continue to serve as First Vice President and Don Ditzel of Comstock Yacht Sales & Marina in Brick as Second Vice President.  Ed Harrison, III of Baywood Marina in Brick remains the Treasurer and Raymond Bogan of Sinn, Fitzsimmons, Cantoli, Bogan & West in Point Pleasant Beach continues as Secretary.

 

Rick Castellini of Island Marine Center, LLC in Ocean View was elected and will serve a staggering term.  Brian Fischer of MESCO in Thorofare and Greg Wright of John B. Wright Insurance in Manasquan were both re-elected to serve another three year term.  The following directors will be continuing their terms: Jim Cerruti of Fair Haven Yacht Works in Fair Haven; Chris Ohrenich of Christopher J. Ohrenich in Cape May and Michael Yachnik of Horizon Marine Group, LLC in Toms River.

 

Interlux Yacht Finishes Top Sponsor Award

Karen Gruppuso of Taylor, Wiseman & Taylor in Toms River was newly appointed by the President to serve as a Nominated Director for a one year term.  The following Directors were re-appointed to serve another term: Karen Davidson of Green Cove Marina in Brick; Ray Fernandez of Bridge Marina in Lake Hopatcong; George Fuller of George Fuller's Marine & Machine in Bayville; Ed McCarthy of McCarthy's Marine Sales in Brick and Pat Salinas of Morgan Marina in Parlin.

 

John B. Wright Insurance Top Sponsor Award

The active Past Presidents that will continue to serve on the Board include: Ed Harrison, Jr. and Ed Harrison, III of Baywood Marina in Brick; Tom Leaming of Leamings Marina in Waretown; Paul Terzian of Causeway Marine Sales in Manahawkin; Rick Traber of Pier 47 Marina in Wildwood.

 

The Regional Board of Governor's includes Pat Salinas representing the Northern Region, Tom Leaming representing the Central Region, Chris Ohrenich representing the Southern Region and Ray Fernandez representing the Lake Hopatcong Region.

 

Travelers Ocean Marine Top Sponsor Award

The MTA/NJ also held its Sponsor of the Year Awards at the Annual Dinner. The MTA/NJ established this award ten years ago to show its appreciation and to recognize the leading sponsors and supporters of the Association. This year, the MTA/NJ was pleased to be able to award three very deserving companies sponsorship recognition. The Top Sponsor of the Year awards went to: Interlux Yacht Finishes of Union, John B. Wright Insurance with offices in Waretown and Manasquan, and Travelers Ocean Marine of Edison. 

 

To read the full news release, click here

 

Congratulations to Denise Fischer of MESCO in Thorofare, who was the lucky winner of the 50/50! Half of the 50/50 proceeds goes into the MTA/NJ Education Foundation for boating safety and education scholarships. Thank you to everyone that purchased tickets!  

PHOTOS! Thanks to our DJ, John from Black Tie DJ's, you can view and purchase photos from the party. Not only does he provide great music during the event, but he takes some great shots! Please be sure to check them out on his website.
 
Please Join us in Recognizing and Thanking our 2014 Annual Dinner & Elections Sponsors!

PLATINUM SPONSORS

 

GOLD SPONSORS

 

SILVER SPONSORS
Rioux Engineering, LLC
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Urgent: Stronger NJ Grant Program
 
The MTA/NJ has been working hard to assist members that have applied for grants through the Stronger NJ Grant Program being administered by the EDA.  We realize that for the majority of those that have applied, it has been a lengthy and often difficult process. We are working directly with the EDA to assist members, obtain updates on applications and to ensure that EDA Business Advisors are actively working on applications.  As we previously announced, the EDA has made a number of staffing and policy changes to
improve efficiency.  As a result of these changes and our continuous pressure, a number of marina applications have been approved, grants have been awarded and more applications are moving through the process. 
 
If you have applied to this program for a grant and are having difficulties, please email Melissa Danko at [email protected] and include a brief overview of the issues along with your SG#.  If you have any questions, you can also call Melissa at 732-292-1051. She is actively working on many marine business applications. 
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Highlight Your Youth Boating Programs - Nationally! 
 
Please send the MTA/NJ information about your youth boating programs to be added to an online database that will be featured on the Discover Boating website as a tool for families to find youth boating programs in their area across the country. 
 
Please email [email protected] with the following: 
  • Program Name
  • Description
  • Age group targeted
  • Company name and description, email, phone, fax and address. 

The MTA/NJ is working diligently with other Associations across the country to encourage youth participation in boating.  Executive Director, Melissa Danko is a member of the Recreational Boating Leadership Council, which was created to focus on guiding and overseeing the marine industry's efforts to increase participation in boating and overcome barriers that would prevent increases in boating participation. She is a member of the Youth Boating Taskforce that is working on gathering information on all of the youth boating programs from all over the country.  We appreciate your participation and encourage you to host youth programs and get our younger generation out on the water to grow boating! 

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NJDOT NEWS - Double Creek Inlet Channel Closed Because of Navigation Hazards in Barnegat Bay, Ocean County
Boaters directed to use Oyster Creek Channel to access Barnegat Bay
 
The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) announced that navigational buoys in the Double Creek Inlet Channel in Barnegat Bay, Ocean County, have been removed due to severe post-Superstorm Sandy shoaling in the channel that has created a severe navigation hazard and an unsafe channel condition.
 
All boaters should use the Federal Oyster Creek Channel (bouy markers #35 to #40) as the primary entrance into Barnegat Bay, although extreme shifting sediment is affecting the entirety of the Bay. Boaters also may reference U.S. Coast Pilot #3 for additional information on the shifting sediments in the area. The Double Creek Inlet Channel remains marked from the inlet side to the fishing grounds (old buoy set 15 and 16) to allow boaters to fish the area.

To read the full NJDOT New Release, click here
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Underground Storage Tank Compliance Seminar for Owners and Operators of UST systems 
 

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

9:00 am to 4:00 pm

N.J. Forensic Science Technology Center

1200 Negron Drive

Hamilton, NJ 08691

 

All owners and operators of Underground Storage Tank (UST) systems are invited to the DEP's Compliance Seminar on May 20, 2014 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. This free seminar will provide owners and operators with valuable information on UST Registration, Regulatory Compliance, Air Permitting/Compliance, LSRP information and compatibility issues. 

 

Get More Information

Register Now!

 

If you have any questions, contact John Olko at [email protected] or at 609-851-7989

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Welcome to the Water On National Marina Day Update  
 
Boating safety advocates across the U.S. and Canada are teaming up to promote safe and responsible boating, including consistent life jacket wear each and every time boaters are on the water.
 
2014 North American Safe Boating Campaign is a yearlong campaign to promote safe and responsible boating and the value of voluntary life jacket wear by recreational boaters. In addition, boaters will be reminded of the importance of boating safely, including boating sober, knowing navigational rules and having a proper lookout.
 
The campaign is encompassed through the national theme, "Wear It" and unites the efforts of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, Canadian Safe Boating Council and the National Safe Boating Council. "Wear It" is produced under a grant from the Sports Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.
 
Show your support for safe boating and safe boaters, by having Wear It promotional items available at your National Marina Day event. Click here to find out what's available and place your orders.
 
To register an event location, click here
 
For more information about Welcome to the Water on National Marina Day, contact Wendy Larimer at [email protected] or at 202-350-9623.  
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Recycling Shrink Wrap & Other Materials 

 

Plastic shrink wrap, a popular and cost-effective material used in the boating industry to protect boats, personal watercraft and other objects from harsh winter weather conditions, and other harmful elements, presents a serious waste disposal problem. For more information about how to recycle shrink wrap properly and other materials, click here. This PDF includes pickup services, drop-off locations, mail return services and the drop off fees for shrink wrap and other materials. 

 

Click here to view the informational PDF. 

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In This Issue
American Boating Congress is Next Week
Annual Dinner & Elections Highlights
Stronger NJ Grant Program
Highlight Your Youth Programs, Nationally!
NJDOT News
UST Compliance Seminar
Welcome to the Water on National Marina Day Update
Recycling Shrink Wrap & Other Materials
Welcome New Members!

Lacey Marine
1628 Lakeside Drive South / 308 Route 9
Forked River, NJ 08731
609-693-0151
(f) 609-693-9054
Ronald Tholen
Retail Boating & Fishing Supply
 
RDA Benefit Services, LLC
953 Mallard Drive
Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734
609-693-0772
(f) 609-693-0759
Nancy Damato
Benefits, Consultant, Insurance
 
Exit 74 Custom Fabrications
1435 Earie Way
Forked River, NJ 08731
609-312-1508
Zachary Taylor
Welding/Fabrication
 
Rastall Oil South
PO Box 7174 / 2600 Route 130
North Brunswick, NJ 08902
732-297-5600
(f) 732-297-4508
Bryan Dominick
Fuel Distributor 
MTA/NJ Website Highlight

The Career Center is a feature on the MTA/NJ website for members use to post job openings as well as look at prospective candidates for job openings. Job posting is always free for MTA/NJ Members. 
 
To post your job, click here.
MTA/NJ Member Messages Advertising

 

If you are interested in advertising your business on the Member Messages, please, click here to view our Advertising Order Form.  If you have any questions at all, please contact the office at 732-292-1051. 
IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS 

June 5, 2014 - MTA/NJ Networking Event, Windansea, Highlands

August 7, 2014 - MTA/NJ Summer Outing on the Beach & Fireworks, Martell's Tiki Bar, Point Pleasant Beach


Click here for Full 2014 Calendar of Events
"New Jersey's Voice on the Water"
2516 Highway 35, Suite 201
Manasquan, New Jersey 08736
P. 732-292-1051 | (f) 732-292-1041
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