NEWS FOR MEMBERS

Senate Committee Passes Clean Boating Act of 2008
May 21, 2008 – The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) today praised the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee for unanimously approving The Clean Boating Act of 2008 (S. 2766). The Clean Boating Act would fully and permanently restore a longstanding regulation that excludes recreational boaters and anglers from the federal and state permitting requirements under the Clean Water Act designed for land-based industrial facilities and ocean-going commercial ships. (Complete Story at BoatBlue)

MFA Australia Workshops Success - 80+ Attend
The Marine Fabricators Association recently held two regional workshops open to marine trimmers and suppliers to the marine fabrication industry. The events were held on May 26, 2008 and May 28, 2008 in Coomera, Queensland and Sydney, NSW respectively. The main purpose of the workshops were to educate the trimmers on new techniques and trends in the industry. We had overwhelming success with a total of 67 trimmers and 15 students attend the two workshops. The workshop program included presentations on Time Standards Manual Usage, Boating Industry Trends and Forecasts, Flexible and Semi-Rigid Windows, The Future Canvas Shop, Modern Cutters and Plotters and Various Equipment Demonstrations. The end of the day was wrapped up with a tradition Australian Bar-b-Que complete with great food and refreshments. A special thanks to Nolan Warehouses, Glen Raven Custom Fabrics, Innova Solutions and Marchem Coated Fabrics for sponsoring workshops. A very special thanks goes to Craft Coverings, TAFE University and Nolan Warehouses for their endless hours of dedication to make these workshops so successful! Plans are already underway for the 2009 MFA Australian workshops with dates and locations to be announced shortly!

Regulatory Review Congressional act to help boat service and repair
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – When the U.S. House of Representatives approved the U.S. Coast Guard Authorization Act Thursday, it included a provision to provide targeted relief to the recreational marine servicing and repair industry, as well as to the entire recreational boating community, the Marine Industries Association of South Florida said in a press release.

The provision provides a complete exemption for the service and repair sector of the recreational boating industry from the requirement for coverage under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, as long as state workers’ compensation coverage is in place. Complete Story Here.

Scholarship Available to Members: The Industrial Fabrics Foundation (IFF) Board of Directors has announced the 2009 Membership Scholarship Award for members of the Marine Fabricators Association. This scholarship opportunity is being funded by your association. The deadline to apply is August 8, 2008.  This scholarship award provides $2,000 for tuition expenses at an accredited college, university or technical school for employees and family members of employees of Marine Fabricators Association member companies.  Financial need, academic achievement, community service and studies related to a career in the tent rental industry will be considered in the selection process.  The deadline for receipt of applications and accompanying reference letters is August 8, 2008.  Please let your employees know about this $2,000 college scholarship award. They may be eligible to receive this scholarship award, or may have a spouse or child who may be eligible.  If you have any questions regarding IFF or the scholarship award please call
+1 651 225 6545; fax +1 651 631 9334 or e-mail hungiville.b@indfabfnd.com.

2008 Marine Fabricators Association National Convention DVDs Available:  The 2008 MFA National Convention seminars were videotaped by a professional videographer and DVDs are available for purchase.  There are four different sets of DVDs that can be ordered and they are described in detail below.  Questions regarding the videos can be answered by contacting the MFA office at 651 225 6952; 800 209 1810 or e-mail blhungiville@ifai.com.
Click here for descriptions of videos, pricing and an order form.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MFA launches a new MFA consumer boating Web site. 
The home page features a two-minute video starring one of television's most popular boating personalities, John Greviskis, star of "Ship Shape TV," now in its 12th year.  Greviskis occasionally features selected manufacturers' facilities, and viewers are taken straight to the source to see how some products, which are manufactured on boaters' behalf, are produced and created.

MFA Sets New National Convention Record
The largest MFA National Convention in more than a decade was held January 13-15 in Stuart, Florida. The Jimmy Buffet-themed convention ("Join Us In Margaritaville") offered participants the chance to learn new techniques and tricks of the trade by participating in educational sessions, and provided copious opportunities to network. 

There were over 100 fabricator attendees with full registration, and an additional 50 VIP passes were issued for fabricators who came to walk the show floor. The 35 exhibiting companies were very pleased with the lively turnout.  MFA Managing Director Beth Hungiville said that "many exhibitors and attendees commented that this was our best show ever!”

Another convention record was set with 130 entries in the MFA Fabrication Excellence Awards – the largest participation in eight years – with over 20 awards given out.  In addition, three people tested for certification--two Certified Craftsmen (CC) and one Master Fabric Craftsman (MFC).