Maryland

Multiple Boats Catch Fire in Baltimore Marina

Emergency responders on Wednesday battled a blaze that engulfed multiple vessels in the Anchorage Marina, on the Patapsco River in Baltimore.A good Samaritan alerted U.S. Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region watchstanders to the fire at approximately 9 a.m. and reported that he heard a popping noise and saw two 55-foot boats engulfed in flames.Baltimore City Fire Department said its units arrived on location to find heavy fire and smoke conditions coming from multiple vessels docked at the marina.

Suntex Acquires Seahaven Superyacht Facility

Marina properties owner and operator Suntex Marina Investors on Tuesday announced it has acquired Seahaven Marina located in Dania Beach, Fla.Broward County’s premier luxury protected harbor for superyachts, Seahaven Marina’s location offers an unparalleled yachting experience by land and by sea, Suntex said. Mere minutes from Hollywood/Fort Lauderdale International Airport, Seahaven provides easy, drawbridge-free access to the Atlantic Ocean for vessels up to 250 feet. The marina touts the region's most discreet and secure yacht harbor…

Suntex Marinas Acquires Faro Blanco in Marathon in the Florida Keys

Marina owner and operator Suntex Marina Investors, LLC announced today its first acquisition within its new partnership with Centerbridge Capital and Resilient Capital Partners: the Faro Blanco Marina located in Marathon in the Florida Keys.Faro Blanco is a first-class marina that offers safety, privacy, entertainment, activities, parking, convenient fuel and pump out services, dockside hookups and a resort-owned restaurant facing the marina, all in a setting with magnificent sunsets and expansive views. The Marina consists of 74 slips and accommodates vessels between 35- and 140-feet.

Vintage classics, megayachts wow crowds in Palm Beach

As 700 boat horns blared at 6PM ending the largest Palm Beach International Boat Show ever, this marine journalist's real labor had just begun: choosing which outstanding vessel would be featured in Yachting Journal as belles of the ball.After boarding so many wonderful boats, it is difficult to pick only a few to feature. Many shipyards have built classic cruisers, throwbacks to an earlier time, capturing the hearts of yachting aficionados. If Burger’s Sycara or Kanter’s Bread presses your buttons…

Coast Guard Assists Ailing Man Aboard Sailboat

The U.S. Coast Guard assisted an ailing 77-year-old man aboard a sailboat anchored just off Chesapeake Beach Inlet Sunday evening.Two reporting sources notified watchstanders at Sector Maryland-National Capital Region’s command center that a 26-foot sailboat with two people aboard appeared to be floundering just outside the inlet.One of the two people aboard the sailboat called Coast Guard Station Oxford and reported that her friend, a 77-year-old diabetic man, was weak, disoriented, and in need of medical assistance.A 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew from Station Oxford launched to assist the man.

Suntex Appoints Carter As Chief Operating Officer

Marina properties owner and operator Suntex Marina Investors, LLC (Suntex) announced the appointment of Rich Carter to the position of Chief Operating Officer.In his new role, Carter is primarily responsible for the overall service experience at all Suntex Marinas. Defining and enhancing company culture, Carter is charged with efficient and effective deployment of Home Office resources and processes across the Suntex portfolio of properties.Prior to joining Suntex, Carter was a division president for Troon, the world’s largest third-party management company for golf and club related assets.

Suntex Acquires Hurricane Marina

Suntex Marina Investors, LLC (Suntex) announced the acquisition of Hurricane Marina, located on Center Hill Lake in Silver Point, Tennessee. With the change in ownership, Hurricane Marina received a new 25-year lease with the United States Army Corps of Engineers and also extended the lease of the existing restaurant tenant, Blue Water Grille. Hurricane Marina lies on a natural, protected harbor approximately 70 miles east of Nashville, and consists of 600 wet slips (48 of which were built in 2015), 40 personal watercraft slips and 25 enclosed boathouse slips.

Annapolis Yacht Sales Enhances Organizational Structure

In order to keep up with demand generated through rapid infrastructure growth and expansion, Annapolis Yacht Sales (AYS) is excited to introduce a new director-facing model of operations; driven by inside personnel promotions and a reimagined organizational structure. Chris Humphreys, Rob Taishoff and Tim Wilbricht purchased AYS five years ago with the intention of growing the company exponentially, and the new structuring comes as a direct response to the success in meeting that goal. AYS' new Virginia Beach location is the most recent result of this expansion effort.

Suntex Marinas Acquires Kentucky Location

Suntex Marina Investors LLC (Suntex), an owner and operator of marina properties, announced today the acquisition of Wolf Creek Marina on Lake Cumberland, Kentucky. The purchase comes on the heels of the recent addition of State Dock Marina, also on Lake Cumberland, to the Suntex portfolio. With the change in ownership, Wolf Creek will see exciting reinvestments in the coming months, including new dock construction and additional merchandise offerings within their marine store. “It is an exciting time for the Suntex brand,” said Chris Petty, head of operations of Suntex Marinas.

SeaDek Begins Work with Marlow Hunter

SeaDek Marine Products to present the first of many SeaDek non-skid marine kits for Marlow Hunter Marlow Mainship products. The new Marlow Hunter 47 Voyager series was presented at the Annapolis Sailboat Show at City Dock, Annapolis, Maryland, October 8 - 12 featuring a beautiful faux teak SeaDek kit in Camel color with Beach Sand trim using a premium brushed texture for a wonderful look and comfortable feel unlike any other product on the market. SeaDek non-skid, closed cell EVA products offer safe and comfortable alternatives to molded in non-skid…

Kadey-Krogen Yachts Expands to Rhode Island

Kadey-Krogen Yachts has expanded and planted roots this month in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Headquartered in Stuart, Florida with additional offices in Annapolis, Maryland and Seattle, Washington, Kadey-Krogen Yachts partner and vice president of sales Tucker West leads the company’s expansion into New England. A Rhode Island native, West entered the marine industry after graduating from Plymouth State College in New Hampshire with a degree in business management. His primary focus throughout the last 20 years has been in yacht sales…

Seakeeper Poised for Growth in 2015

Shipments of gyros increased 46% over 2013 as more boat manufacturers added Seakeeper as standard and optional equipment on new builds. A sizable portion of its sales also came from refits. Additional sales personnel, third party partners and industry acceptance helped to increase this segment. The company expanded its markets in 2014 with its portfolio of five new models, scaled to fit a wider range of boats from 30'–220'. The updated units are more compact than earlier versions and cost less due to the company's investment in manufacturing efficiency.

Atteridge Retires from Furuno USA

After 30 years of service to Furuno USA, Inc., Jim Atteridge is retiring as President and assuming a new role, as Director and Corporate Advisor. Effective December 1, 2014, Brad Reents will assume the role of President and CFO of Furuno USA, Inc. Reents has been with Furuno USA for 15 years in the role of Treasurer and Board Member. Reents is a licensed CPA and brings with him years of experience as a financial officer. Prior to Furuno USA, Reents worked at accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. In addition to the presidential change, Furuno USA, Inc.

Salty Dawg Rally Seminar Series

The Salty Dawg Rally will hold its 2014 Seminar Series in Annapolis, Md. at Mears Pavilion, 519 Chester Avenue, on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 from 7:45 a.m. until 5 p.m. the day before the U.S. Sailboat Show begins. Mears Marina is located along Back Creek close to the show. Sponsored by Sea Hawk Paints, the day-long event will include seminars on rigging, weather, emergency preparedness and more, presented by specialists, including the U.S. Coast Guard. In making the announcement, Bill Knowles, cofounder of the Rally, said “We’re inviting anyone interested in blue water passage making…

Semprevivo Promoted at Seakeeper

After six years at the forefront of Seakeeper's sales efforts, Andrew Semprevivo has been promoted to vice president of sales and marketing. He previously held the position of director of global sales, recreational sector for the Maryland-based manufacturer of gyro stabilization systems. Seakeeper co-founder and CEO Shep McKenney made the announcement. In his previous role as director of global sales, Semprevivo was responsible for managing global sales and development. He joined Seakeeper in 2008 as international inside sales manager with extensive global marine industry experience.

More Coverage Expected from New Federal Regs

Legislation passed on Tuesday, July 29, 2014 by the U.S. House of Representatives will bring a benefit to improve insurance coverage at lower cost to companies and their workers in the recreational boating industry, said the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF), a trade organization dedicated to promoting, protecting and growing marine business jobs. H.R. 3896 achieved this by amending the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act to provide a simplified definition of recreational vessels for purposes of the Act. The legislation was spearheaded and introduced last January by U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Shultz of Florida.

Bavaria Yachts USA Open Atlanta HQ

The new Atlanta office is located in Atlanta's Midtown district, front and centers on Peachtree Street, the city's busiest thoroughfare. This location will serve as the company's national corporate headquarters, and a satellite sales location, as well as a "Port of Call" for Bavaria owners residing in, or visiting Atlanta, says Bavaria. "We are excited to continue our expansion across the U.S.," explains Kenny Feld, Managing Director of Bavaria Yachts USA, "we have been energized and humbled by the eager reception of U.S. boat buyers for Bavaria Yachts' premium quality and performance cruising sailboats…

Guldi Named Sales Director at UMSI

Unlimited Marine Services, Inc. (UMSI), a full service marine technology company continues to expand with the recruitment of Chris Guldi as Director of Sales. Chris will be running the Sales Department, responsible for business development for the megayacht division. Chris Guldi has sales and new business development experience, having run his own real estate business in Maryland. His passion and main hobby has always been the yachting industry, and with an electronic and technical background…

Guldi Joins UMSI as Sales Director

Unlimited Marine Services, Inc. (UMSI), a full service marine technology company continues to expand with the recruitment of Chris Guldi as Director of Sales. Chris will be running the Sales Department, responsible for business development for the megayacht division. According to UMSI, Chris Guldi has extensive sales and new business development experience, having run his own successful real estate business in Maryland. His passion and main hobby has always been the yachting industry…