Marine industry veteran, Maxey Kenneth “Ken” Lovell, passed away July 6, 2021. “Ken Lovell has been one of the most significant contributors to the success of the MRAA since its inception nearly 50 years ago,” said Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “Ken not only helped get MRAA on its feet in the early days, but he […]
MRAA News
MRAA Submits Comments on Proposed Watercraft Excise Tax Increase in Washington State
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas submitted joint comments to the Washington state Department of Revenue (DOR) challenging their proposed increase in the Watercraft Excise Tax depreciation schedule. MRAA joined regional and national groups challenging this proposal such as BoatUS, Recreational Boating Association of Washington, Northwest Marine Trade Association, Washington Retail Association, and Washington […]
Boat History Report Joins MRAA as Platinum Partner Member
MINNEAPOLIS — July 8 — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announces Boat History Report has joined as a Platinum Partner Member. “Today’s information-driven boat buyers crave decision-making power from the comfort of their homes,” said Grant Brooks, CEO. “With so many options available to buy a boat, they prefer dealerships that make it […]
MRAA Supports Bipartisan Legislation To Protect GPS Systems
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas endorsed legislation that will assure GPS units continue working, despite possible interference from 5G technology. The Recognizing and Ensuring Taxpayer Access to Infrastructure Necessary for GPS and Satellite Communications Act of 2021 (RETAIN Act) was introduced by U.S. Senators Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed […]
U.S. Coast Guard Releases 2020 Boating Safety Statistics Report
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard released its 2020 Recreational Boating Statistics Report Wednesday, revealing that there were 767 boating fatalities nationwide in 2020, a 25.1 percent increase from 2019. From 2019 to 2020, the total number of accidents increased 26.3 percent (4,168 to 5,265), and the number of non-fatal injured victims increased 24.7 percent […]
Preparing the Marine Trades Industry for the next ‘Crisis’
In-Person Workshop to Explore Lessons Learned from COVID-19 for Crisis Management and Emergency Planning; MRAA to participate During the spring of 2020, the boating industry (marinas, dealers, service, access managers, boating organizations and boaters) was faced with state specific closure notices, re-opening notices, and new restrictions for boating activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The […]
Water Sports Foundation: Top Boating Tips to Safely Navigate Busy Fourth of July Festivities
Throughout the country, boaters are expected to cruise to popular gathering spots this Fourth of July weekend with friends and family, with plans to raft up, drop anchor and swim, enjoy barbecues and cap off festivities with spectacular fireworks celebrations. “After a year of Covid restrictions, boaters are out on the water in force, soaking […]
Get On Board Campaign Amplifies Consumer Awareness Throughout National Fishing and Boating Week
The Get On Board marketing campaign, a united effort from the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF), Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) to generate consumer awareness for boating and fishing, launched last week, June 5-13, coinciding with National Fishing and Boating Week. Discover Boating and Take […]
MRAA Supports Bipartisian Legislation to Reauthorize Conservation Program
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced its support of bipartisan and bicameral legislation that would reauthorize the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. This important program supports about $650 million annually in fishery restoration and conservation programs, boating access and infrastructure, fish stocking programs and the highly successful and award-winning national outreach […]
MRAA’s Tokowicz Appointed to Sober Skipper Advisory Council
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced today that Chad Tokowicz, Government Relations Manager for the MRAA, along with five new boating industry stakeholders have been tapped to serve on the North American Sober Skipper Advisory Council. The Sober Skipper Advisory Council collaborates on strategies to promote greater awareness and adoption of boating safety […]
