Darryl Ogde has completed 5 hours of training as prescribed under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, Chapter XI-2 of SOLAS 74, IMO ISPS Code and in response to the training needs identified by congress and articulated in the MTSA of 2002
The 3 day course provided insight into the techniques and processes of vessel damage investigation in order to determine the cause of damage. This seminar was very informative with quest speakers from the leaders in the industry. Everything was coverered from, Accident Reconstruction to Foresin Photography to Fire Investigations. All of you CSI buffs would have loved it!
I had the privelidge of beeing interviewed by Chris and Noel Davis of FURLEDSAILS.COM. They produce a podcast geared towards sailing enthusiasts. Anything regarding sailing, they discuss on their podcasts. Chris and Noel wanted to learn more about Marine Surveying and get a picture of some of my experiences during surveying. Podcasting is a great way to reach out to the masses if you have something say. I had a great time doing the interview and made some new friends in the process. To access the podcast go to FURLEDSAILS.COM and look for podcast #50. Thanks again to Chris and Noel for the opportunity!
I have taken an opportunity that I just can't pass up. Me and my family will be relocating to the panhandle during the month of December 2005. I will continue to run HPMS as well as perform surveys and consulting in the panhandle and wherever needed as possible. We are all looking forward to this exciting change. Please feel free to contact me at our new toll free number for further information. (1-877-CHEKBOAT)
Yes, it is true and I need YOUR help! I have been charged with aiding and abetting the MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) with the intent of helping area residents with Muscular Dystrophy. I will be "locked up" at the Palm Harbor Outback Steakhouse on October 6, 2005 at 11am. My bail has been set at $2000 and I need your help to get me out! I am asking that you please donate whatever you can to help me raise my bail. I have set up a website where you can make your TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION. Please go to the following link to post bail or for more information. Click here to BAIL ME OUT! Stop by and visit me "behind bars", I would greatly appreciate it and so will all of "Jerry's Kids". The website is set up for credit cards, but if you want to send me a check please make it out to MDA. Checks can be mailed to me at P.O. Box 6212, Palm Harbor, FL 34684-0812. I need the bail no later than OCT 4, 2005 in order to "spring" me. Thank you all for your support of this wonderful cause!
BUY BOAT NOW previously known as BOAT-CHEK.COM is a website similar to Boattrader or Yachtworld, where boats are listed for sale. The new website will list boats for sale but the difference is that a Preliminary Survey will be performed on the boat and a report generated by a qualified surveyor. This takes the guess work out for the buyer. The description of the boat is not always accurate and may not tell of problem areas. The buyer usually has to rely on the description and whatever pictures are available. Then he still has to visit every boat to narrow his selection. This website will help the selection process by giving the buyer much more information from an outside reputable source. The surveyor will perform a walkthough of the boat and post the report on the website. This is only a basic condition of the boat and it is advised that if a buyer intends on following through with the purchase, that a complete survey be performed. This is a win win situation for BUYBOATNOW.COM as well as the surveyors. The website is in process of beta testing and should be active by late August or September. Please check out BOAT-CHEK.COM, I think it will be a very usefull tool for both boat buyers and sellers.
The Better Business Bureau is a highly recognized organization that provides a medium for disputes between businesses and customers. HPMS is in good standing with the BBB and has a satisfactory record with the BBB has had NO complaints since inception of the company. We believe in quality customer service and client relations. The BBB will provide an excellent mediation tool to solve and client issues that may surface. Please go to the BBB West Florida site and check us out.
House Bill 955 addresses a major issue facing Florida today, preserving public access to Florida’s waterways. This bill is important to the State of Florida to protect the $15.7 billion generated by marine industries in this state and its 180,000 jobs. This bill has been a work in progress for two years and is the first step in protecting public access for future generations. House Bill 955 includes the following provisions relating to Working Waterfronts: 1. The bill prioritizes the need to recognize the benefits generated by marinas and other working public waterfront businesses before they are lost to future generations.
2. House Bill 955 defines “recreational and commercial working waterfronts”.
3. While requiring coastal communities to encourage the preservation of recreational and commercial working waterfronts in their comprehensive plan. It also encourages expanding the Waterfront Florida Program within the Department of Community Affairs and providing funding.
4. HB 955 requires the Department of Environmental Protection and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to study the current uses of state parks and identify possible opportunities for recreational boating within those parks.
5. The bill also recognizes the importance of our waterways for engaging in commerce.
6. Establishes a tax deferral program for qualified recreational and commercial working waterfronts by providing much needed relief for escalating waterfront property values.
Please take a few moments of your time and fill out the following email to Governor Jeb Bush asking him to please sign House Bill 955 into law!
http://ga1.org/campaign/HB955SB1316/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Urge Governor Jeb Bush to sign
HB989,
Marinas & Boat Ramps Legislation
House Bill 989 relating to Public Marinas/Boat Ramps/DEP
is going to Governor Bush for his approval and needs your support! Please take time to read this message and email the Governor to let him know that you support this very important piece of legislation!
House Bill 989, Public Marinas/Boat Ramps/DEP, by Representative Stan Mayfield is a very important piece of legislation dealing with public access to Florida’s waterways and does the following.
• The bill amends Florida Statute 373.118 relating to General Permits.
• Requires the department to adopt by rule one or more general permits for local governments to construct, operate, and maintain public marina facilities, public mooring fields, public boat ramps, including associated courtesy docks and associated parking facilities located in uplands.
• Exempts a facility authorized under this permit from the development of regional impact if it complies with the comprehensive plan.
• The facility must comply with manatee protection plan and must obtain Clean Marina Program status.
• Limits the marina or mooring field not to exceed 50,000square feet over wetlands and other surface waters.
• Facilities permitted under this law must be constructed, maintained and operated in perpetuity for the exclusive use of the general public.
• The effective date is July 1, 2005.
• The bill also contains the FWCC legislative package for 2005 including changes to the Boating Advisory Council. The other FWCC changes of interest to MIAF are the additions of “boat access” and “working waterfronts” to the responsibilities of the Council for recommendations to FWCC.
Please take time to email Governor Bush the following letter respectfully requesting his favorable approval of House Bill 989!
http://ga1.org/campaign/HB989/
Congratulations to everyone who participated. The weather knocked a lot of people out but overall it was still a good time. I was on hand peddling my wares. I got to meet some great people. Thanks to Scott at Spearboard for a great time. See ya next year.
The Spearboard Open is a large Spearfishing Tournament held each year in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. Last year over 215 persons participated in the tournament, with persons actually competing in the states of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Louisiana. Persons came from as far away as Italy to compete in the tournament. Last year's prize table exceeded $35,000.00.
The 2005 Spearboard Open dates have been announced. The Captain's Meeting this year will be on a Thursday night, May 19 at Edgwaters Restaurant and Lounge, 5245 Limestone Drive, Port Richey, FL 34668 . Participants will be hunting on May21, 2005, and the weigh-in will be the following morning, on Sunday May 22 at the Rotary Pavilion at the intersection of S.R. 52 and Suncoast Parkway in New Port Richey. May 22 is also the day of the Expo, BBQ Party, and Prize Ceremony.
This year HPMS will be providing several prizes including gift certificates to BoatUS/West Marine, ORION Visual Distress Kits, Offshore First Aid Kits and maybe a few other items. We will also be part of the sponsor Expo and will be on hand with information regarding marine surveying, federal regulations, ABYC standards and other interesting stuff. We will have pictures of common problems encounter during some of our surveys and give insight on to how to make your boat safe. Stop by and visit us, we willhave plenty of free literature to hand out. For more info please visit SPEARBOARD OPEN
Access to our waterways has been greatly diminished. There is hope of recovery, but only if provide a unified voice immediately! The Issue:
There are very few places to launch or store a boat. Many marinas and waterfront properties are being bought by developers to put in condominiums. Soon there will be no access to the water! The lure of the water and all its activities is why most of us live here. The marine industry in Florida generates approximately $14.1 Billion annually. There are over 57,000 registered boats in Pinellas County alone. If the access for these boats is reduced, then the industry will plummet and the fallout will cause a severe economic hardship for the County and the State. The condo owner might have a boat but nowhere to service it or even get fuel.
Here are some examples from other sources.From the MARINE BUSINESS JOURNAL December 2004
“Look at what is happening to many waterfront businesses. As a city grows and affordable residential waterfront real estate begins to get scarce, developers start buying up waterfront businesses to convert into homes. At first this may not seem like much of a threat to the Marine Industry, but after a few years as marinas are converted into condos or shopping centers, boat owners suddenly find it difficult to locate a local boat yard when it is time for the annual haul out, or secure a place to store their boat, or even to get fuel during a day on the water. We’ve seen this happen in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. Once it has begun it can’t be reversed or undone. Unfortunately when developers come calling, far too many politicians tend to vote against the interests of waterfront marine business owners who have provided jobs and paid taxes all those years.”
From the BOATUS MAGAZINE January 2005
“Gaining access to the waterways has reached a critical point in Palm Beach County, FL. According to the Sun Sentinel, the county has 48,000 registered boats----26,500 on trailers, but only 9 public marinas, 10 public boat yards, and 550 launch site parking spaces. Do the math and you will find that getting on the water has become increasingly difficult.
Waterfront facility owners are getting tremendous offers in the tens of millions of dollars for their property from developers. As values go up so do the taxes. A lot of these owners want to pass down their businesses to the next generation, but simply can’t.”
From Boating Industry
Friday February 11, 2005
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A proposal that would convert the Whitley Bay Marina in Cocoa, Fla., into a members-only yacht club was hotly debated yesterday in the state's capital, where dozens of opponents made passionate pleas against it, Florida Today reported in a story Thursday.
Boaters' rights groups, Cocoa residents and city staff urged the Cabinet to preserve public-access to Florida's waterways.
"We are all alarmed with what's been happening throughout the state," said Bonnie Basham, a representative of Standing Watch and the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs. "Open to the public has got to mean open to the entire boating public, and not just the public who has $100,000 to buy a slip."
But the developers' attorney asked the Cabinet to consider the money his clients have invested -- an investment he says will benefit the public, or at least a part of it, the newspaper reported.
"Our client has invested a lot of money into this. They are not trying to do something that hasn't been done around the state," said Steven Lewis, an attorney for the Whitley Bay Yacht Club. "There is a sector out there of the public that do want these kind of slips. They may only represent 1 percent or a half-percent, but they paid the fees and they bought the boats."
The battle over Cocoa's public-access marina has raised statewide concerns over what's becoming a growing trend: the conversion of state lands to exclusive use, according to Florida Today.
Some have called for the Cabinet to defer a decision on the Whitley Bay Marina until a statewide solution can be devised. Others, who fear the state might create a mandatory public-access requirement for all marinas, have asked for decisions to be made on a case-by-case basis.
"This issue has raised a very large issue," said Bud Vielhauer, the state's Department of Environmental Protection deputy general counsel for state lands. "Over the next two months, we'll work on the bigger issue, we'll look at public-access conversions and come back with a recommendation."
This is the short list of Local Marinas and Facilities in Pinellas County that have recently been acquired or are planned for condominiums or other non-marine related development.
- Clearwater Bay Marina (Clearwater)
- Ross Yachts (Clearwater)
- Quality Yachts (Clearwater)
- Maximo Marina (St Pete)
- Hubers Marina (St Pete)
- Palm Harbor Resort (Palm Harbor)
Clearwater High and Dry (Island Estates/Clearwater) (1st high and dry built in the state early 1960’s)
With the loss of Ross and Clearwater Bay Marina, there are NO Yards in the Clearwater area that can do a haul out. This means that if you have a boat in the Clearwater area the closest place for you to get service on your boat is Tarpon Springs. Boats require maintenance year round and boat owners are willing to pay for services and products. These costs far outweigh the taxes and revenue that a condo owner will provide.
Boat Ramps are also in short supply!
Boat ramps also have a huge economic impact. Not only do residents of Pinellas County use our ramps, but also boaters come from across the State to launch here to gain access to the Gulf. Based on a study by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, “people spend hundreds of millions of dollars annually on goods and services while visiting ramps and piers. In turn, these expenditures multiply across the economy creating tens of thousands of jobs and tens of millions of dollars in tax revenues to local and state governments. Additionally, hundreds of millions of dollars of personal value is enjoyed each year by ramp and pier users. Clearly, public boat ramps and piers are not only important to their users, but also to thousands of Floridians that are inextricably linked to the recreation supported by boat ramps and piers. Yet, in spite of their value, ramps are becoming more crowded in many areas of the state. Existing ramps and piers are often in various states of disrepair and not necessarily located in the areas where they have their highest value. To assist in the placement of future ramps and piers, FWC will begin to utilize economic considerations as part of the larger decision making process, thus assuring the people of Florida a more equitable and efficient use of taxpayer’s dollars.” A copy of the “Assessing the Economic Impact and Value of Florida’s Public Piers and Boat Ramps” can be found at http://myfwc.com/aboutus/executivesummary7.pdf. Please read it.
The Economic ImpactFrom the Marine Industries Association of Florida Website
- Florida’s Marine Industry represents $14.1 Billion
- Florida recreational boating industry economic impact is twice as great as the citrus industry
- Florida’s marine industry represents related employment estimated at over 180,000 jobs
- 26% annual growth rate over the last 20 years
Total output for Florida 1999/2000
Manufacturing $2,265,870,000
Wholesale trade $2,407,000,000
Retail trade $5,241,670,000
Dockage $1,699,746,000
Marine Services $2,549,740,000
Total $14,166,026,000
Employment impact for recreational boating
Manufacturing 80,800 jobs
Marinas and boatyards 24,300 jobs
Marine trade 72,500 jobs
Marine Services 1,450 jobs
Total 181,050 jobs
Gross Marine Retail Sales 1996-2000
95/96 $2,993,554,000
96/97 $3,434,821,000
97/98 $4,024,659,000
98/99 $4,417,948,000
99/00 $4,905,062,000
96-00 64% Yearly 13%
A condo will not employ as many people as a full service boat yard nor at the levels of income.
Sales TAX is also generated in the marine industry. For instance, a large yacht with a refit or an insurance burn, sinking, theft or collision claim of $400,000 will pay $24,000 in taxes. This is a repeatable event in the same yard all year long. The condo owners only pay a one-time amount, which is substantially less in property taxes with or without homestead exemption than what a boat yard may generate. Tax is collected every time a person makes another purchase on that same amount that was created on the initial loss expense. If a boat is a total loss and the boat is sold as salvage the buyer has to pay sales tax on the purchase price. That also generates some tax revenue especially if the person who purchased it then later pays to repair it.
The figures above do not even include revenue generated by the recreational and commercial fishing industry or tourism. Loss of access to the water will greatly diminish these industries as well. Many people come down here to charter a boat and catch the “Big One” and are willing to pay for the excitement. But if they are denied access, they will end up going somewhere else to spend their money.
Although a few marinas being sold to developers may seem insignificant now, there are serious irreversible long-term effects.
Possible Solutions
- Ensure that funds are set aside for ramp construction and maintenance.
o The County has the money already in place and even a plan of sorts. However, we as ramp users and citizens need to pull together to show a unified front of support for it, otherwise the County will not move forward. There are other factions that do not want these ramps (Not in My Backyard Syndrome). We need to show them that this is beneficial and will not be detrimental to the environment or their way of life. They also need to understand that we are not going to blindly rip up the sea grass, cut down mangroves and dredge huge swaths and stir up the bottom. We have the ability to properly install a facility with consideration to the environmental factors. Ultimately it is the environmental aspect that will deny us these facilities, so we must ensure that we provide the proper solutions. I have recently sat in on some of the County’s planning meetings. They are working hard towards the goal of getting new ramps and maintaining others, but they need our voice and input to make it effective. In the near future there will be a meeting to discuss this issue. There will need to be as many representatives of groups that are affected by this issue as possible present to show unified support. Please contact me by email if you are willing to support and show a presence!
- Additional revenue from non-local users of ramps can help with maintenance costs.
o Many boaters come from all over the State to launch at our local ramps, they are a valued user and most will not mind a small fee to help defer the cost to maintain the ramps.
- Set aside funding and a process for either city run or county run marinas in strategic locations.
o For example there is talk about a city marina in Clearwater adjacent to the new causeway bridge being built. If we could tie that into the redevelopment of downtown Clearwater it would definitely boost the economy. We need more good public access development along the accessible waterfront. This will be loved not only by locals, but also visiting boaters thus bringing more business and raising the overall values of our area and commensurate tax bases. This can be tastefully done without compromising mangroves, sea grass areas and natural beaches. We need more public and private access marinas with amenities and attractions of their own such as shops, nice restaurants, yacht clubs, etc. This type of development will bring water front improvement and tremendous potential to Pinellas. People are naturally attracted to waterfront communities and if developed properly, could really be spectacular, as well as make this area one of the most valuable in the state! Wouldn’t it be nice if a boater could pull up to a marina, dock, then get out and walk through a downtown area that had a upscale shops and restaurants? For example, the downtown areas of Sarasota, Anna Maria Island, Bradenton, Ft. Myers and Naples to name a few are all accessible by water.
- The FWC has grants for boating improvement programs.
o 1. In general, grant funds may be used for: master planning, project engineering, development, new construction, expansion or rehabilitation of recreational channel marking, public launching facilities, aquatic plant control or other local boating-related activities, statewide on coastal and/or inland waters.
2. Eligible projects must occur on public lands owned outright or managed under an agreement with another party. To the extent possible, all capital improvements made on land leased to public agencies, must have lease terms at least 20 years in length or with an automatic renewable clause to ensure a Conversion to any other use in the 20 years period will not occur.
- Reclaim taxes and surcharges for marine use.
o Currently there are extra taxes imposed for marina fuel stations, ideally these taxes were supposed to go back to the marine industry but always seem to end up towards schools and roads. This money needs to be reverted back to the marine industry.
- Set aside funds for the purchase of development rights to maintain existing facilities.
o Some of the facilities mentioned above can easily and should have been bought out by the County. These could then be updated and maintained and most importantly still in use.
- Provide assistance to facility owners who do not want to sell, but are forced to sell due to property taxes that they can’t afford.
o Many of these owners want to pass down their business and facility to their children and grandchildren, but are forced to sell due to rising taxes and property values. Assistance in the form of tax breaks or funding to help maintain the facility are viable options.
- Develop a Co-op for the yards/marinas.
o Unite all the marine facilities so that they have more control and resources to help them stay in business.
In Palm Beach County, they are working on this issue with positive results….
On Nov 2 a voter referendum passed that will allow the county to borrow $50 million for either outright purchases of water front property for new boat ramps and parking, or to purchase developer rights from existing facilities. The county will issue bonds to pay off the debt and eliminate two of the biggest challenges in sustaining access: rising land values and taxes.
In the 1980’s, a beach bond issue successfully bought up many of the last remaining oceanfront parcels that now provide critical ocean and beach access today. A similar program for farmers in the county put 10,000 acres off limits to developers and mandated smarter growth concessions.
In the first week since the passage of the referendum, nearly half-a-dozen marinas and boatyards have expressed their desire to work with the county.
I personally am willing to help with these issues anyway that I can. I know there are many in the County and around the State that feel the same way. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.
Darryl Ogden
Marine Surveyor and Consultant
Since I am now the Assistant Program Director for the Tampabay Mariners Club, I have the illustrious duty of selling paraphernalia. I have real nice Hats and Polo Shirts. The Hats are made by Luna Pier and are Khaki with Navy Blue bill and trim with the logo embroidered. The shirts are made by Outer Banks and are White with Red/Black trim and an embroidered logo. Men's shirts are $35, women's shirts are $30. The caps are $12. Sorry I don't have a photo listed but if you are interested, send me an email and I will email you pics. I don't mind dropping them off it is local, but otherwise shipping will be extra.
The members of the Tampa Bay Mariners Club elected Darryl Ogden, owner and Marine Surveyor of HPMS, to the position of Assistant Program Director. This position helps with meeting arrangements, general communication between members, providing guest speakers and venues for meetings and support to the other officers as needed. This is a great opportunity to get more involved with the club and provide a much need service.
IBEX, The International Boatbuilders Exhibition & Conference will be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center. This is the premier trade show for the industry. On hand there will be thousands of products and new ideas for boatbuilding as well as educational seminars and hands on exhibitions. Hurricane Pass Marine Services will be on site for the education seminars. There are so many options this year, it was hard to choose which seminars to attend. The seminars that we will be attending will be: "Repairing High Fiber Volume Laminate", "Galvanic Isolation Strategies", "Growing Your Marine Service Business",, "working with Insurance Claims Departments", "Marine Systems Vibrations Cause and Effect", "Understanding Fiberglass Failure". These are only a few of the offerrings, but there is only enough time for these. These course will enable us to be more proficient in the Marine Survey Business and allow us to provide our clients with better service. For more information regarding IBEX, visit their website: IBEX.
HPMS is now offering another consulting service to our menu, "New Mariner Consultation". This program is intended for the new boat owner or a boat owner new to the local area. This consultation covers vessel and equipment orientation, local waterways orientation and rules of the road and safety orientations. These services are one-on one with emphasis on safety. Its not just for the "Captain", the whole family is encouraged to attend. This is best as a supplement to a boaters safety course offered by the USCG AUX. For more information, check out the MARINE CONSULTING section or feel free to contact us.
HPMS will be working with Lubriport Laboratories Inc. in Kenner Louisianna for engine oil analysis. Oil samples will be shipped to Lubriport for analysis with expected turn around time within a few days. Lubriport was chosen for their reputation among Engine Surveyors for professional and accurate reports and their understandings of the marine surveyor needs.
Darryl Ogden has been elected to serve as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Florida Section of MTS. The new officers hope to stir up the membership with fresh ideas for the section. The mission of MTS is to Disseminate marine science and technical knowledge, promote and support education for marine scientists, engineers and technicians, advance the development of tools and procedures required to explore, study and further the responsible and sustainable use of the oceans, provide services that create a broader understanding of the relevance of the marine sciences to other technologies, arts and human affairs. Click on the link for more information about MTS or MTSFLORIDA
HPMS has recently joined the Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce. Palm Harbor is located between Clearwater and Tarpon Springs FL. This unincorporated area is bustling with activities. The Chamber of Commerce provides leadership to promote and support economic growth and development in Palm Harbor. The Chamber provides many community events and activities year round. Some of the many events we look forward to participating in and organizing are; Golf Tournaments, Fishing Tournaments, Fine Arts Festivals, Holiday Parades, Palm Harbor Days, just to name a few. HPMS is dedicated to serving the local community. For more information about the Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce, visit there website. PHCOC Website
This was an exciting venue as both participant and sponsor. The Spearboard Open was created as a way to get those interested in spearfishing a chance to get together and have a good time with a chance to bring home fantastic prizes. This year's prize table was valued at well over $25,000 including a FREE SURVEY offered by HURRICANE PASS MARINE SERVICES INC, which was won by one lucky contestant! Other prizes included spearguns, dive gear, dive trips to Baja, North Carolina and many local charters. Also there were fantastic fish rubbings by Burt Lancaster. Instead of having a fish mounted, Burt makes a rubbing of them. His artwork is truly impressive. There were several hundred people on hand and some of the fish brought in were incredible. Kudos to all the sponsors and organizers of the event. It was a great time. Thanks to all who stopped by and chatted with us. I hope that we were able to educate the public a little more about the importance of a marine survey!
On 5/19/4 the Tampa Bay Mariners Club held a marine seminar at the St Pete Yacht Club. Present were representatives from several insurance companies, marine surveyors,admiralty lawyers and marine repair and services. The seminar included topics such as " The State of The Marine Marketplace", "Yacht Insurance Industry; Where are We Going", "A Repair Yard's Practices and Perspective Related to Insurance", and "A Surveyor's Role in the Claims and Litigation Process". All of the topics were very informative. The venue was a great opportunity for every one to socialize and network. Alycia Hoepper from Tampa Bay Underwriters and her team did an outstanding job pulling everything together. HURRICANE PASS MARINE SERVICES INC. was a proud sponsor of the event. We are looking forward to working with everyone again. For more information about the Tampa Bay Mariners Club, contact us or Alycia Hoepper at (727) 521-4363.
The Tampa Bay Mariners Club is proud to announce their annual marine seminar. This year's seminar will appeal to all segments of the marine industry- Insurance Agents, Claims Adjusters, Underwriters, Attorneys, Yacht Brokers, Marine Business Owners, Surveyors and Financial Institutions. May 18 will be the Golf Tournament. May 19 will be the seminar at the St Pete Yacht Club. There will be a wide variety of speakers and Continuing Education Credits will be given for SAMS, and NAMS. There are Several Opportunities for sponsorship as well. For more information contact Hurricane Pass Marine Services.
This is a spearfishing tournament brought together by the creators of SPEARBOARD.COM, a forum site devoted to spearfishing. This is truly an amazing website and has brought together people with a common interest (spearfishing), from all over the world. Last year the first tournament had somewhere between 50-75 participants. This year it is expected to be well over 250!! For more information on the tournament check out the very informative WEBSITE. And look for us on the sponsor page. See you at the open!! May 21-23, 2004.
The FBG website is full of valuable information for all your boating needs. It has a search engine to help you find whatever marine related industry you need. This is a great source that gets everything together in one location. Check out the newsletter section for the article about HPMS. Thank you Frank Dame for the great article and a very informative website.
As a member of SAMS (Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors) you can be assured that our surveys will be conducted to strict professional standards. We strive to present to you the best product for your money.
Objectives of SAMS
Provide an organization complementary to the marine industry
Cooperate and encourage communications among members
Cooperate and encourage communications between members and other marine organizations
Assist other marine organizations in technical matters
Provide information and training for persons interested in the profession of Marine Surveying
Suggest standards for technical procedures for all members
Educate the public
|
