Marinalife 2022 Photography Contest

MARINA UPDATES

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Boston Marine Services

Charlestown, MA

Leading marina owner and operator Ocean Havens recently announced the latest addition to its growing New England portfolio with the acquisition of Boston Boatworks. The strategic acquisition of Boston Marine Services will build upon the current top-notch facility and services, including vessel maintenance, upgrades, repair and storage. Conveniently located on Boston Harbor, Boston Marine Services provides the highest-quality service and customer care for both recreational and commercial clients. bostonmarineservices.com.

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Dewey Beach Yacht Club

Dewey Beach, DE

The perfect summer getaway awaits in the heart of Dewey Beach! Conveniently located just a short walk from lively beach-town attractions, Dewey Beach Yacht Club boasts a multimillion-dollar renovation featuring all new facilities: a full-service boatyard, ship store, boaters’ lounge, laundry and bathrooms, plus 102 new dry storage racks for vessels up to 31 feet. Additional amenities include fuel, concierge services, luxury condo stays and 20% discount on boat and jet ski rentals on-site through Sea Rocket Water Adventures. deweybeachyachtclub.com.

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Conch Harbor Marina

Key West, FL

Leading marina owner and operator Suntex Marinas announces the exciting acquisition of Conch Harbor Marina’s premier destination in Key West. Just minutes from lively Duval Street and located within the historic Key West Bight with tons of shops and restaurants, the marina offers transient slips available for vessels up to 200 feet and amenities such as a pool, ship store, fuel, shower and laundry facilities, and two on-site restaurants. conchharbormarina.com.

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Dana Point Harbor

Dana Point, CA

This gorgeous West Coast waterfront destination is undergoing a complete revitalization project with construction and reconfiguration of all docks and slips. Bellingham Marine will develop and build the all-new marina with over 2,200 slips and 493 dry storage spaces. Phase 1 and 2 began last spring and the harbor will remain open throughout the project. There is currently a waitlist available for applicants, so stay tuned for updates at danapointharbor.com/revitalization.

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NEW MARINAS ON THE HORIZON

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One River Marina

Philadelphia, PA

This new development project in Northeast Philadelphia is set to bring a full-service marina and entertainment complex to the Delaware River. Founders and former owners of SureShade, Dana and Ron Russikoff, have launched plans to develop a 200-slip marina with shore power, fuel, storage, restaurants and a swimming pool. The project is in the early stages and plans to make progress next year.

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37 North at Fort Monroe

Hampton, VA

Formerly Old Point Comfort Marina, the marina at 37 North is undergoing a major facelift with plans to become a premier destination along the Chesapeake Bay and Hampton Roads. Improvements include 300 wet slips with all-new docks, replacement of wave walls with a floating wave attenuator, fuel dock replacement and upgraded amenities including a new ship store, yacht club facility and floating pool. Stay tuned for updates at 37northva.com.

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SUMMER PHOTO CONTEST IS OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS

Attention all photographers, creatives and water lovers alike — Marinalife is thrilled to announce our seventh-annual Life on the Water photo contest! Whether you’re an amateur or experienced photographer, we encourage you to share your best snapshot that encapsulates what you love most about the boating lifestyle. Submit your photos by Aug. 1, 2025, at marinalife.com/2025photocontest.

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SAVE THE DATE

Next summer marks the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding in 1776! America’s Semiquincentennial celebration will hit East Coast harbors for tours and exciting activities. The Sail250® fleet and tall ships will travel to port cities including Baltimore, MD, June 25 – July 1 and Boston, MA, July 11 – 16.

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UPCOMING BOAT SHOWS

San Diego International Boat Show

San Diego, CA, June 19 – 22

Newport Charter Yacht Show

Newport, RI, June 23 – 26

Chicago International Boat Show at Navy Pier Marina

Chicago, IL, August 21 – 24

Atlantic City In-Water Boat Show

Atlantic City, NJ, September 4 – 7

Newport International Boat Show

Newport, RI, September 11 – 14

Annapolis Powerboat Show

Annapolis, MD, October 2 – 5

Annapolis Sailboat Show

Annapolis, MD, October 9 – 12

While the job market is not always an easy world to navigate, marine trades associations across the coast work diligently to offer resources and promote a growing industry.

The New England region boasts leading organizations such as the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA), who hosted the 19^th annual Business of Boating Conference (BOB) in Foxboro, MA, this past January. The event featured award ceremonies and sessions on workforce development, Al marketing tips and tools, boating safety updates, employment law, technological advancements within the industry, government relations, legislative issues, and more.

“Finding employees remains a complex issue within the recreational boating industry,” says Randall Lyons, executive director of MMTA. “Starting with regional and state associations and collaborating with national associations remains critical to finding a long-term solution to this issue. This collaboration allows for support and interaction with member businesses, schools, job seekers, employees and more.”

According to a 2024 U.S. Marine Economy Report from NOAA, tourism and recreation landed as the leading job industry along the Atlantic coast with 66% employment rate in the Northeast and 65% in the Mid-Atlantic, while marine construction reported one of the lowest rates at only 1% in both regions. Even though the regions boasted an overall 13-14% increase in marine jobs from prior years, trades associations continue to support the industry by providing resources, scholarship and certification opportunities, and local advocacy.

One of the main sessions of the BOB Conference focused on supporting an increased pipeline of trained individuals within the state and ensuring businesses support MMTA’s partner schools that continue to expand training programs.

“Associations represent businesses, and businesses represent boaters; the more we can do together, the easier this issue will be to resolve,” says Lyons.

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RESOURCES OFFER A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY

MMTA’s website offers everything from boating safety resources, products, services, news updates and event info to job postings and announcements. The Massachusetts Marine Trades Educational Trust, MMTA’s non-profit foundation, provides an active job board, scholarship opportunities, schools and training programs, and a detailed Massachusetts Boating Industry 101 document. Lyons says one of the most successful programs has been the “Tools of the Trade” benefit where MMTA provides a gift card for tools to a marine employee in need of building their toolbox.

In Newport, RI, the Rhode Island Marine Trade Association (RIMTA) also champions the local marine industry through education, advocacy and environmental stewardship. RIMTA is working in partnership with the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) to revamp their resources and develop a new marine trades website.

Down on the Chesapeake Bay, organizations such as the Marine Trades Association of Maryland (MTAM) also offer resources and support industry advocacy. MTAM’s non-profit based out of Annapolis, MD, is dedicated to growing the recreational boating industry and a sustainable workforce for the trades and preservation of Maryland waters.

The MTAM job board stays up to date with publicly accessible listings, and members are represented on marine trades issues before the Maryland legislature and state and federal agencies. Benefits include access to exclusive discounts, resources and opportunities for hands-on training at the Annapolis School of Seamanship and certifications through the American Boat & Yacht Council.

The benefits of a trade job provide endless resources for certifications, on-the-job training and first-hand workforce development. Take advantage of scholarship programs, networking events and opportunities for lifelong careers.

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THANK YOU FROM MMTA

MMTA, a Marinalife partner, sends a thank you to all attendees and presenters who participated in this year’s BOB conference, as well as a special thanks to the sponsors. Download the full list of sponsors below.

The annual Association of Marina Industries (AMI) Conference & Expo recently took place this January at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The three-day event hosted seminars, workshops, receptions and exhibits geared towards marina owners, operators, and industry professionals.

As 2025 officially marks 25 years of Marinalife, the crew kicked off the milestone celebrations at this year’s AMI event by hosting a champagne toast to honor the 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards winners. In addition to presenting awards, Marinalife founder Joy McPeters gave a special thanks to long-time partners and members who have contributed over the years.

The all-new Readers’ Choice Awards contest honors the best in class highlighting categories that define what makes a perfect marina destination. Nationwide boaters voted for favorites ranging in everything from best hidden gem, dry storage, boatyard, amenities, dockside bar, entertainment, friendliest staff and most pet-friendly facility to best marina overall.

Marinalife was honored to raise a toast and present awards to the following winners in attendance:

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Best Marina Overall winner recipient:

Michael Torras and Daren Pietsch, Brunswick Landing Marina — Brunswick, GA

Best Dry Storage Marina winner recipient:

Shane Strause, Waterways Marina — Richmond Hill, GA

Best Dockside Bar winner recipient:

Nicholas Mastroianni III, Tiki 52 at Blowing Rocks Marina — Tequesta, FL

Most Pet-Friendly Marina winner recipient:

Christina Martin, Nantucket Boat Basin — Nantucket, MA

Stay tuned for the magazine’s 25^th anniversary special edition issue publishing this March featuring the 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards winners and articles commemorating the industry over the past 25 years. View all category winners here.