e-edition

Greeting from the Editor

Best of the holidays to all NC Marine TradeWinds newsletter readers!  About 3,500 email versions go out every two months (the monthly version died a “difficult” life about a year ago) and I thank you for your comments and suggestions throughout the year. 2006 has been a growth year for the boating industry within the state, providing over 1,800 new jobs and over $80 million in new investment committed to the state.  It is also a year of concern due to the (temporary) national decline of powerboat sales (reportedly down as much as 14% nationwide) but with simultaneous optimism as North Carolina moves into 2007 with thousands of new boat slips all across the state, waiting for the owner’s chosen NC boat. 2007 will witness considerable growth in new-to-the-state boating industry businesses from the coast to the mountains and along our major highways. We expect to see another dozen or more companies chose North Carolina for their relocation, adding another 1,500 to 2,000 jobs. –  Mike Bradley, editor      click this icon to return to top of page

Florida Marine Tanks Has North Carolina Address

Founded in 1974 by industry pioneer Vincent DiRosa, Florida Marine Tanks is a manufacturer of fuel, water, and holding tanks for the boating industry. The $10 million company will make Henderson its third manufacturing location, creating 100 jobs and investing $2 million during the next three years. Headquartered in Miami, with a manufacturing site in Dexter, Mo., Florida Marine Tanks is purchasing two buildings in the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park with about 83,000 sq. ft. of production space, and will begin operations by spring 2007. Visit them on the Internet at www.floridamarinetanks.com.

NC Wildlife Joins NC Waterways at Miami Booth with Boater’s Survey

Our NCwaterways and Boating Industry Services team will be sharing booth # 4183 in the tent area of the 2007 Miami Boat Show with representatives from the Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. They will be conducting a transient boating survey and helping us hand out the new 2007 NC Coastal Boating Guides map available at the booth. This “boating map” – a hot item at past shows - is funded through the NC Wildlife Commission, printed by the NC DOT, and we (Boating Industry Services) provide the marina and boatyard information. This year there will be significantly more information on recreational fishing and boating through expanded Wildlife information on the map and in our booth.

Over 30 North Carolina Exhibitors at 2007 Miami Boat Show

Our Boating Industry Services team, funded by ElectriCities, NC Electric Cooperatives, Progress Energy, Duke Energy and the SBTDC, will again be available to help boat and boating equipment buyers locate NC exhibitors throughout the show. NC exhibitors to date include: Blackwell Boatworks , Calyber Boatworks , Carolina Classic Boats, Chaos Boatworks, Electric Fishing Reel Systems, Fountain Powerboats, Glen Raven Custom Fabrics, Grady-White Boats, Green Turtle Company, Gregg Lift Truck Co., HydoBubble/Anchor Concepts, Jarrett Bay Boatworks, Mako Marine International, McKee Craft Boats, Parker Marine, Performance Outdoor, Rampage Sportfishing Yachts, Regulator Marine, Ship To Shore, Sound Marine, Southport Boat Works, Spencer Yachts, Sturdy Corporation, Tide Tamer Waterfront Products, Triumph Boats,  Watershed, and World Cat.

Stormwater Concerns for Boatyards and Boat Builders in 2007

This topic could be a standing article in this newsletter as there are ongoing stormwater concerns for every boatbuilder or boatyard business – regardless of proximity to waterways – because these businesses trigger automatic stormwater requirements with ongoing renewable permit requirements. This is also true for manufacturing operations that contain all operations under roof – but these businesses have a simple form “out”. So if you are one of these businesses and you can’t find the permit paperwork or don’t think you ever did any, give me a call. For further information under the Boat Builder link: www.ncwaterways.com/BusinessAssistance/default.asp.

Coastal Recreational Fishing License Now Required

Beginning Jan. 1, 2007, any person 16 and older who wants to fish recreationally in any water designated as coastal and joint waters of North Carolina must purchase a Coastal Recreational Fishing License (CRFL). The N.C. General Assembly passed legislation in 2004 to create a saltwater license, and Governor Mike Easley signed it into law in 2005.

Anyone who purchased a Wildlife Resources Commission lifetime license that includes basic inland fishing privileges before Jan. 1, 2006 will be grandfathered by this law change and will not be required to purchase a separate license in order to participate in coastal recreational fishing. These lifetime licenses include any infant, youth, adult, over 70, and disabled sportsman’s license; the comprehensive fishing, over 70 fishing only, disabled veteran’s and totally disabled licenses.  See www.ncwildlife.org/pg01_License/pg1_CRFL.htm.

CAMA Fines Going Up

Violations of a Coastal Area Management Act development permit, or failing to get one, will cost more. Under the new law, the old upper limit of $250 for a civil penalty for a minor violation will become $1,000. Fines for a major violation, originally capped at no more than $2,500, will range up to $10,000. For additional information: www.nccoastalmanagement.net/Rules/2006.htm.

OSHA Issue: Fire Protection for Boat Manufacturing Facilities Changing?

This issue is one that has perplexed us across the state as we worked with boat builders renovating existing buildings (and up-fitting shell buildings) during 2006. At issue are the Fire Marshal and NC fire code acceptable standards for providing sprinkling system fire suppression in resin and gelcoat lamination areas.  

NMMA has requested public comment and supporting information related to this topic. Comments are due by February 20, 2007. NMMA will with a guidance document so that you can show your support for this important, long over due OSHA regulation change. Please contact John McKnight at (202) 737-9757 or jmcknight@nmma.org.

 Background from communications with John McKnight:

Back in 1970, when OSHA first developed its regulations, it referenced NFPA 1969 for setting fire protection standards at facilities that spray flammable material. Although these standards covered boat building by definition, they were based on fire risk when conducting such high solvent processes such automotive painting. The resin and gel coat used in boat building is flammable by definition, but does not exhibit the same burn characteristics as more hazardous painting operations. In addition, boats are laminated on production floors, not spray booths, where the sprinkler density and electrical requirements in the current regulation would be cost prohibitive. [John] worked on the revision of the NFPA standard for spray finishing that included a separate chapter specifically for boat builders and composite fabricators. Since that time, NMMA has been working with the American Composites Manufacturers Association to exert both legislative and regulatory pressure to get OSHA to revise this regulation by adopting the stand along Chapter 17 in the revised NFPA 1996 standard.

 The proposed revisions can be seen on page 76625 of the Federal Register notice under section II:  Request for Information, Data, and Comments. Under Part B subpart H you will see a summary of issue and the NMMA’s efforts to date: http://www.setonresourcecenter.com/register/2006/Dec/21/76623A.pdf.

Drystack Panel Scheduled at 2007 International Marina & Boatyard Conference

Tampa, FL— Producers of the International Marina & Boatyard Conference - run jointly by the Association of Marina Industries (AMI) and the American Boat Builders & Repairers Association (ABBRA) have created a panel and roundtable discussion based on the content from the popular Drystack Conference held in October. Tim Timpson, former president of the International Marina Institute (IMI) and principle of MarinaResource LLC has assembled a panel of five highly experienced marina managers who will take part in a roundtable to discuss operational issues from dry-storage facilities across the county and overseas. The IMBC is scheduled for January 28–31, 2007, in Tampa, Florida.  

For more information, a complete agenda, and to register for the International Marina & Boatyard Conference, please call 401–252–9544, or click on the International Marina & Boatyard Conference logo at the AMI web site: www.marinaassociation.org.

Copper is low-risk to marine life, new antifouling study reveals 

By IBI Magazine / Bob Greenwood  

New scientific research has cast doubt on the widely-held belief that copper-based antifoulings are a serious risk to marine organisms. The findings of new tests carried out by UK-government agency CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture) on behalf of CEAP (the Copper Antifouling Environmental Program which is supported by copper producers) were released on November 15 at METS. Read the complete article at www.ybw.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20061017110702ibinews.html

NC Boatbuilding Training Update

College of the Albemarle

COA appreciates the support given to purchase equipment and develop curriculum for the boat building program. Presently, they are working on updating the brochure of course offerings and developing a marketing plan.  Most of the instructors are in place for classes that begin Jan. 16.  The schedule: www.albemarle.edu/Corp_ConEd/ConEdSchedule/Dare.pdf

 NC MARTEC - www.ncmartec.org/

To date MARTEC (Marine Training and Education Center of the Carteret Community College) programs have included: outboard engine service and maintenance, certificate program in marine electrical/electronics installation and service, certificate program in diesel engine maintenance, composite fiberglass production (including closed molding, composite fiberglass repair, tooling and mold construction, certificate program in cold molded yacht construction, certificate program in yacht joinery, marine blueprints and lofting, hull and deck construction, marine coatings and spray application, marine generator service, marina wastewater treatment and EPA compliance. 

There have also been numerous workshops held here and led by national marine corporations including Yamaha Outboards, Suzuki Outboards, Composites One, American Cleanway and Owens Corning Fiberglass. In addition, NC MARTEC is in the process of developing: A diploma program in Boat Manufacturing and Service, A diploma program in Marine Systems, and a diploma in marine propulsion systems from the present certificate program.

New EPA Timing on Blow Floatation Foam and Stringer Composites?

(Thanks to correspondence from John McKnight of NMMA and the availability of the NMMA regulatory website: www.nmma.org/government/environmental/?catid=350.)

The EPA plans to accelerate the phase out of the use of Ozone Depleting Substances from 2010 to 2008. These are the chemicals that boat builders use to blow floatation foam and fabricate composite stringers. This is a timing and procedural concern from NMMA and not a concern with the environmental intent of the rulings.

In short, Boat manufacturing has an exemption until 2010. “From NMMA’s perspective, this is not about the availability of HCFC alternatives; it is about floatation foam which is a US Coast Guard requirement and a major safety issue for our industry.  Improper training of small business boat builders in the application of alternative floatation foam materials could make boats unsafe. Has EPA consulted with the Coast Guard on this issue? Does the EPA have any information on the technical or economic implications of accelerating the phase out?

The basis for the accelerated phase out includes a survey of alternative suppliers, but does not include any review of the status of conversion for boat builders. Marine vessels use the foam for flotation and their products are subjected to harsh environmental conditions.  The Stratus report surveyed the status of conversion at manufacturers of insulation on products such as picnic coolers and ice bins. I see no where that it reviewed the status of conversion for floatation foam at boat plants, especially small business boat builders.”

The SBA Office of Advocacy has been assisting and supports NMMA on this issue and we (BIS) will keep you posted as we get updates on this topic.

Update from the North Carolina Beach, Inlet & Waterway Association

(To view the original newsletter, go to www.ncbiwa.org/Winter0607News.pdf.)

The year 2006 proved to be another frustrating one for North Carolina’s coastal communities. Over the course of the year, we saw the federal budget process completely fall apart at the seams. Efforts to pass a Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) became derailed in the final days of the Congressional session. Despite these many challenges, NCBIWA fought hard to focus Washington’s attention on the condition of North Carolina’s coastal resources.

The President’s proposed budget for FY 2007 fell hundreds of millions short of what was needed to meet the nation’s infrastructure demands. The budget fell almost $100 million short of the estimated level to fully fund beach projects across the country. Every aspect of the Corps of Engineers’ mission, from flood control to navigation to shore protection, was short-changed in the President’s budget.

The North Carolina Congressional delegation was united in its support of the Corps’ coastal projects in the state. They all pressed the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to provide the necessary federal resources to the Corps of Engineers. However, Congress had a difficult time finishing work on any appropriations bill this year, including the Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill that funds the Corps. Ultimately, both the House and Senate gave up on even completing the bill. Before adjourning, the 109th Congress passed another Continuing Resolution to provide FY 2007 funding through February 15, 2007.

This month, the incoming Democratic Chairmen of the Appropriations Committees announced that they intend to pass a joint resolution that will fund all federal agencies (excluding the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security) at FY 2006 levels through the end of the current fiscal year on September 30, 2007. One of the only bright spots of the current fiscal situation is that the Corps will continue to receive funding on par with FY06 levels throughout FY07. If the FY07 bills had been enacted, a budget cut between the $81 million (House number) and $91 million (Senate number) would have been appropriated for beach construction and studies – up to $41 million less than the FY06 appropriation.

AIWW Economic Impacts and Economic Benefits Study

The November 13-14 North Carolina Beach, Inlet and Waterway Association Annual Conference featured a presentation with the full title: A Determination and Analysis of the Economic Impacts and Economic Benefits of Recreational, Charter and Commercial Boating and Marine Related Business Along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in North Carolina and Oceanfront Beach Nourishment in North Carolina.  The research and presentation were the efforts of Jim Herstine, Ph.D., Chris Dumas, Ph.D., John Whitehead, Ph.D., Woody Hall, Ph.D., Ed Graham, Ph.D.

The premise for one set of slides is:  “Federal government funds for dredging of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in NC are threatened. If dredging completely stops, the average depth of the NC portion of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway would be about 4 feet. A NC dredging and maintenance program would provide enough funding to maintain an average depth of 12 feet in the NC portion of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway". One solution slide presented: "The dredging and maintenance program would be funded by a surcharge on the annual boating registration fee. Each registered boater with a boat longer than 16 feet using the NC portion of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway would be required to purchase a sticker each year to be placed alongside the registration number on the boat ...".  See full presentation:  www.coastalplanning.net/projects/NCBIWA/pps/Herstine%20NCBIWA%202006%2011%2013%2006.pps.