Life Jacket Designs Break New Ground

ANNAPOLIS, Md, March 28, 2011 - If you think that life jackets have to be bulky, uncomfortable or hot to wear, the winners of the "Innovation in Life Jacket Design Competition" will prove you wrong. The BoatUS Foundation and Underwriter's Laboratory recently announced the winners of their 2011 competition, and you may be surprised at how much the inventive designs break new ground.

The Competition, which began last year and was open to anyone, asked a simple question: Can you build a better life jacket? Of the original 35 entries (some from as far away as Malaysia), 15 semi-finalists were selected and short videos of the designs were posted online for the public to pick their favorites, with the focus on choosing life jackets that were more innovative, wearable, affordable, reliable and practical. In addition, expert judges voted for their favorite designs at the recent International Boating and Water Safety Summit held in Savannah, GA. The combined votes resulted in today's three winners:

#1 The See-Tee by Float-Tech Inc.

The first place winner is the "See-Tee", a design from Jeff Betz of the Troy, NY based Float-Tech Inc. This isn't Betz's first life jacket innovation - his company started as the result of a graduate school project that designed the firm's first non-traditional inflatable life jacket based on a foul weather coat.

The Sea-Tee is a standard rash-guard shirt that many water sports enthusiasts are used to wearing - but with a twist. It has a built-in inflatable bladder similar to most inflatable life jackets. Betz is careful not to call this a life jacket however, and simply refers to it as a buoyancy aid.

Said Betz: "The Sea-Tee is a thousand times better than traditional life jackets for many of the activities people engage in on the water. Most life jackets are designed to standards that are meant for offshore conditions, but most boaters are on calm inland waters. Jackets built to 100 percent of the current standards - but not worn, are zero percent effective. So with the Sea-Tee you can wear essentially the same shirt you're used to wearing on the water, and have the back-up of a buoyancy aid in case of an emergency."

The company received the $5,000 first place prize, awarded by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), for their efforts. "UL is honored to have been a part of the Innovation in Life Jacket Design Competition," said UL's Joseph Waters. "The ability to provide support for such an effort is consistent with our mission to promote public safety in our homes, our communities, and around the world. We look forward to seeing what the future holds when today's innovation in PFDs becomes tomorrow's reality."

#2 The Directors Bureau's Float Coat

Second place went to the Directors Bureau, a Los Angeles based creative consulting company that works in the film industry. Their "Float Coat" is a windbreaker with added floatation. The Bureau, represented by Sebastian Pardo, said his firm had never delved into this type of project before. Pardo stated that their guiding strategy was to design something that, "should always work, shouldn't require action by the person wearing the jacket, and should be fashionable."

While not a unique design, judges felt that the distinctive placement of the floatation, which included never-before-seen hollow "microspheres," or small spherical particles, along with fashionable styling, made it stand out. The firm took home a $1,000 prize, graciously provided by the National Safe Boating Council.

#3 St. Thomas More High School's Aqua Buoy

Third place went to the design team of high school seniors Josh Jankowski and Nathan Karabon of St. Thomas More High School in Milwaukee, WI. Their design, which marries traditional foam floatation in a modern inflatable configuration, is a result of their school's Pathway to Engineering curriculum that is part of the national "Project Lead the Way" program. Jankowski and Karabon's interest in designing a life jacket came from learning about the competition while doing research as part of their senior research project.

As the youngest participants in the competition, the duo surveyed boaters and researched designs to come up with their prototype. Jankowski and Karabon took home a $500 prize awarded by the BoatUS Foundation.

The winners can be seen at BoatUS.com/foundation/winners. Plans for the next round of the design competition are already underway and will be announced in 2012.

The Clean Boating Act

On July 29, 2008, Congress passed the Clean Boating Act of 2008 (CBA). This law provides that recreational vessels shall not be subject to the requirement to obtain a CWA permit to authorize discharges incidental to their normal operation. It instead directs EPA to evaluate recreational vessel discharges, to develop appropriate management practices for the discharges, and to promulgate performance standards for those management practices. The CBA then directs the USCG to promulgate regulations for the use of the management practices developed by EPA; finally, the law requires recreational boater compliance with such practices.

Read the law:  http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/lawsguidance/cwa/vessel/CBA/about.cfm

Feds Announce Boating Grants for Eleven States

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today the awarding of more than $13.5 million in competitive grants to 11 states for 16 boating infrastructure projects. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awards these grants, which will help fund construction of docks, boat slips and other facilities to support recreational boating, through the Service’s Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program.

“The Boating Infrastructure Grant program is one of the many ways we support access and provide quality outdoor opportunities for the nation’s recreational anglers and boaters,” said Secretary Salazar. “These grants also spur major construction projects, creating jobs and providing much-needed economic benefits.”

Funding for the BIG program comes from the Sport Fishing and Boating Trust Fund, formerly known as the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund, which boaters and manufacturers support through excise and other taxes on certain fishing and boating equipment and boat fuels. The Service will also release approximately $2.7 million to 27 states, commonwealths, and territories willing to match a smaller, non-competitive grant program known as “BIG Tier 1” funding.

Grantees use Boating Infrastructure Grant funds to construct, renovate, and maintain facilities with features for transient boats (those staying 10 days or less)  that are 26 feet or more in length and used for recreation. Grantees may also use funds to produce and distribute information and educational materials about the program and recreational boating.

The Service received 20 eligible applications from 13 states for the “BIG Tier 2” competitive grants. The 16 winning projects for competitive grants include:

• Alabama: The Alabama Department of Environmental Management,  in cooperation with the Alabama Tourism Department and Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, will receive $520,993 and match that amount with $765,411 to add an 1170-foot dock for transient recreation boats that will accommodate 30 vessels at Barber Marina. The new full service marina will also provide safe harbor from tropical storms on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.
• California: The California Department of Boating and Waterways, in cooperation with the HIW Associates and their partners, will receive $882,728 and match that amount with $882,728 to re-construct a new facility to include a transient berthing area for up to 13 vessels, a modernized fueling station to include high-speed fueling, a new pumpout, an oil recycling center, and ADA restrooms
• The California Department of Boating and Waterways, in cooperation with Bellport Anacapa Marina and their partners will receive $1,500,000 million and match that amount with $1,200,000 to demolish an old facility and replace it with a new marina to include a 52 slip addition for transient recreational boats on Channel Islands Harbor.
• The California Department of Boating and Waterways, in cooperation with the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors will receive $1,314,692 and match that amount with $4,512,895 to convert 35 existing transient slips into 45 transient slips, replace the existing pumpout, and update services.
•  Ohio: The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the City of Cleveland and partners will receive $1,450,400 and match that with $509,600 to build new floating docks for 53 transient boat slips including 3 ADA accessible slips and ramp, a new shower, restrooms, laundry building, and amenities.
• Illinois: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the City of Rock Island, will receive $1,500,000 and match that amount with $565,000 to add a floating dock system that will accommodate 23 transient slips at the Schwiebert Riverfront Park on the Mississippi River.
• Maine: The Maine Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the Town of Kittery and the Kittery Port Authority will receive $242,766 and match that amount with $90,000 to construct a pier, ramp, and float system that will create new docking space for 12 transient boats.
• Mississippi: The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, in cooperation with The City of Bay St. Louis and partners will receive $470,139 and match that amount with $470,139 to build a marina in an area devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Seven percent of the new marina will be for transient recreational boaters and provide 475 feet of guest moorage for transient recreational boats, safe harbor, and amenities.
• New York:  The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, in cooperation with the City of Rochester, BIDCO Marine Group, and Edgewater Resources, will receive $1,450,000 and match that amount with $2,188,515 to add 64 transient slips with dockside utilities, create a deep-draft safe harbor, create an access point for the City of Rochester, and provide boater services and education on Lake Ontario.
• The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, in cooperation with The Manhattan River Group, LLC and partners will receive $669,286 and match that amount with $235,154 to renovate an existing marina on the Hudson River to include space for 80 transient vessels, access to NYC, transient recreational boating amenities such as showers, dinghy dock, and pumpout as well as a Chinese junk for transportation between boats and land.
• The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, in cooperation with the Village of Greenport and partners will receive $105,963 and match that amount with $45,413 to add pedestals and improve electrical service to accommodate the needs of large, transient boats. The marina serves Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean.
• The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, in cooperation with The City of Ogdensburg and partners will receive $501,311 and match that amount with $176,141 to add a new fueling station and berthing for 32 – 45 transient recreational boats on the St. Lawrence River.Tennessee: The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, in cooperation with Norris Dam Marina (H&B Enterprises of Norris) and partners will receive $357,050 and match it with $357,050 to add 21 tie-up facilities to an existing 218 slip marina on the 73-mile long Norris Lake in Tennessee. The marina is currently full with seasonal customers and the project will include catwalks, utilities, restrooms, and showers to accommodate transient boaters.
• Texas: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, in cooperation with Blackberry Island, LP will receive $511,210 and match that with an amount of $511,210 to refurbish an old industrial marina to create a marina for transient and other boaters. It will include new dockage for 21 transient boats, restroom/shower facility, and other boater amenities.Virginia: The Virginia Department of Health, in cooperation with The Town of West Point and partners will receive $570,043 and will match that with $575,444 to redevelop a vacant marina on the Mattaponi River. The project will create a full-service marina to include 41 transient slips, fuel dock, and restrooms.
• Washington: The State of Washington Recreation and Conservation Office, in cooperation with the Port of Anacortes and partners will receive $1,476,193 and match that with $1,447,532 to replace 2 docks with state-of-the-art floats and upgraded amenities for an estimated 54 transient slips. The project is located on a sheltered harbor on Fidalgo Bay in Puget Sound.

EPA to Develop Management Practices for Recreational Boats

EPA Seeks Public Comments to Help Develop Management Practices for Recreational Vessels

 WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comment from boaters and other stakeholders to help develop proposed regulations, as required by the 2008 Clean Boating Act, to reduce water pollution and the spread of invasive species in the nation’s rivers, lakes and other water bodies. As an alternative to permits required for commercial vessels, the act directs EPA to develop and promulgate management practices for recreational vessels.

The important input received through this process will help guide the development of proposed regulations to mitigate adverse effects from recreational boat discharges, such as bilgewater, graywater and deck runoff, that may contain substances harmful to water quality or spread invasive species.

The Clean Boating Act directs EPA to take steps to limit the impact of pollution and the spread of invasive species associated with the discharge from boats. As part of the public input, EPA is also seeking information from states that already enact standards to limit the impacts of boat discharges on waterways.

Based on the important input received, EPA will seek to develop appropriate management practices and performance standards that protect waterways while also working with the U.S. Coast Guard, which will establish regulations governing the design, construction, installation and use of management practices. Implementation of these management practices will allow boaters and other water enthusiasts to continue enjoying our nation’s water bodies while protecting water quality.
EPA is holding listening sessions and conducting webinars to inform interested parties about the Clean Boating Act and receive public input. The listening sessions will be held in Annapolis, Md. on March 18 and April 29.

More information about the Clean Boating Act: http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/lawsguidance/cwa/vessel/CBA/about.cfm

Boater Gets Cash Reward for Busting Crime: Stolen Goods Found Online

OAK HARBOR, Wash. March 2, 2011 -- When one Washington State boater had his boat burglarized at his marina, he didn’t take the news sitting down.

Peter Hunt, of Oak Harbor, Washington, went to the internet, where he found the thieves selling the stolen items taken during a rash of boat burglaries – including his own chartplotter – on eBay. Recently, he brought his internet investigation to the attention of authorities that led to the arrest and conviction of an adult and two teenagers and recovery of over $50,000 in stolen electronic equipment. Over 90% of the goods stolen at Hunt’s marina were recovered and returned to owners.

For his effort in breaking the crime ring – which had burglarized three marinas on North Whidbey Island, WA, as well as 30 cars - Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) honored Hunt with $2500 from its Theft Reward Program. Created to combat the increase in boat theft nationwide, all BoatUS members are automatically enrolled in the program which simply requires the boat owner to affix highly visible, orange theft reward sticker to their vessel.

Winter Anti-Theft Tips:

As winter goes on, BoatUS says boaters, anglers and sailors must remain vigilant about boat theft and burglary and has these tips:

• Keep your boat locked when you are not aboard. Never leave your keys or valuable items on the boat. BoatUS reports the top three items stolen from boats over the winter are electronics, outboards and outdrives. Remove electronics (if possible) and use a lock on outboards and drives.
• Continue to make periodic visits to your boat when it’s in winter storage. Keep liquor out of site of prying eyes.
• If a boat is stored on its trailer, the best way to prevent a theft is to remove one or more wheels.
• Keep copies of ownership documents, serial numbers and photos of your boat and equipment in a safe place - off the boat for easy access should a loss occur.
• For more information on how you can prevent becoming a boat burglar’s victim, check out the BoatUS Magazine feature, "Foiling Off-Season Theft," at BoatUS.com/magazine/burglars.

Boat Owners May Have Federal Tax Deductions Available

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 3, 2011 – Recreational boat owners who paid state sales taxes on a boat purchase, or those who secured a loan to finance a boat, may have some tax deductions coming to them when filing their 2010 federal income tax return, says a national boat owners group, BoatUS.

 

The Sales Tax Deduction

For boat owners who paid substantial state sales taxes on a new or used boat purchase last year, the Tax Extenders Act of 2008 continues to offer a federal tax deduction for state sales taxes. Boaters must choose either the state sales tax deduction or state income tax deduction on their federal tax return — you cannot take both.

 

In addition, to take the state sales tax deduction, the sales tax on a boat purchase must be applied at the same tax rate as the state’s general sales tax. In order to claim the sales tax deduction, tax returns must be itemized. State sales taxes are entered on IRS form Schedule A line 5b.

 

The Boat Loan Deduction

For those owners with a secured boat loan, mortgage interest paid on the loan may be deducted from your federal income taxes. Taxpayers may use the home mortgage interest deduction for one second home in addition to their primary home, and must itemize deductions on their returns. A boat is considered a second home for federal tax purposes if it has a galley, an installed head and sleeping berth.

 

Some boaters may be unaware of this potential tax benefit because not all lending institutions send borrowers an Internal Revenue Service form 1098 which reports the interest paid. Not receiving the form does not preclude taking the deduction. If a 1098 is not available, boaters should contact their lender for the amount of interest paid and should enter it on line 11 on Schedule A along with the lender’s tax ID number. If a form 1098 is sent, boaters should simply enter the amount on line 10 of Schedule A.

 

Sorry, AMT

For those who fall under the Alternative Minimum Tax, most deductions are unavailable. Boaters are urged to contact a tax preparer or financial advisor for more information.

 

For more details on the mortgage deduction on boats that qualify, go to www.IRS.gov and download Publication 936 or the Fact Sheets. For state tax deduction information download Publication 600 which also includes state-by-state tax tables.