Legislative Session ends with a bang

If you've been following NMTA's legislative priorities and the legislative session, then you know that we were not successful in expanding the Cruising Permit or the Jobs Bill, which would provide an incentive to sell boats in Washington state.

Yes, there was disappointment but our top priority has always been to secure funding to improve boating access and infrastructure, which the Recreation Resource Account handles. This funding was raided last legislative session. With the climate just as gloomy in 2011 in Olympia, we were hoping for a positive outcome but, admittedly, were a bit unsure as to how it would play out, even until the last day of session.

So now that the gavel has dropped and the legislators have gone home, NMTA is pleased to report that this grant money that comes from boaters at the gas pump remained in the final Capital Budget and will be dedicated to boating, just as it always has been (up until last year).

In the throes of Safe Boating Week

As we gear up for the unofficial kickoff to summer, it's no coincidence that we are also in the midst of Safe Boating Week (www.boatwashington.org/). If you have been listening to the radio or attended the Seattle Sounders match last Saturday, then you may have noticed that the Wear it Washington! campaign (www.wearitwashington.com) has begun in earnest, too.

As one of the leaders supporting mandatory boater education in Washington state and fully behind the effort of the Boater Education Safety Card (http://www.boat-ed.com/Washington/index.html), NMTA encourages all boaters to ready, set, inflate their life jackets this summer.

Encore of the Boatyard Permit Workshop

Getting to know the new NPDES Boatyard Permit

Gary Bailey, DOE’s Boatyard Permit writer, will review the new permit and answer your questions about what will be expected. Additionally, there will be DOE staff on hand to offer suggestions and feedback for best practices.

Friday, May 27, 2011

9:00 – Noon

Location: Center for Urban Waters (Commencement Bay N and South Rooms)
326 East D St.
Tacoma, WA 98421

This event is sponsored by the Clean Boating Foundation, which is a start-up non-profit that NMTA has helped launch.

Please bring a copy of the new permit with you, which is available here:

RSVP to me and I’ll send you a map. Parking spots are limited so please carpool if possible.

Map and Directions:

Map: http://www.tacoma.washington.edu/urbanwaters/contact.cfm


FROM NORTHBOUND I-5
Take EXIT 134 toward PORTLAND AVE.
Stay STRAIGHT to go onto E 28TH ST.
Turn LEFT onto E PORTLAND AVE.
Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto ST. PAUL AVE.
Continue onto S 11TH PL.
Turn RIGHT at E D ST.
Keep left to stay on E D ST.
Destination will be on the left.

FROM SOUTHBOUND I-5
Take EXIT 135 toward PORTLAND AVE.
Ramp becomes E 27TH ST.
Turn RIGHT onto PORTLAND AVE.
Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto ST. PAUL AVE.
Continue onto S 11TH PL.
Turn RIGHT at E D ST.
Keep left to stay on E D ST.
Destination will be on the left.

Looking for something to do this weekend?

The Seattle Boat Show Spring Sale should fit the bill. The location is the Alderwood Mall and all the details can be found here: www.seattleboatshow.com/

AWB recognizes two NMTA members

We are proud of the recognition that Seaview Boatyard and StormwateRx have received from the Assoc of Washingtoon Business. Recently, they both received awards for their environmental leadership. The whole story is here: http://tinyurl.com/6cz5vl9

Action Alert: Interest deduction for boats as second homes targeted

The following is a legislative action alert sent from NMMA about troubling legislation recently proposed in Congress:

Dear Boating Industry Professional:

The interest deduction for boats as second homes is under fire, and we need to let Members of Congress—particularly House Members—know that this is just plain wrong. On Tuesday, May 3, 2011, three Members of the U.S. House of Representatives introduced H.R. 1702, a bill that would remove the deductibility of interest on boats that are used as second homes. This bill, the "Ending Taxpayer Subsidies for Yachts Act," is both misnamed and wrong-headed and would accomplish nothing except putting American boat builders and other boating service providers out of work, precisely at a time when the industry has not recovered from the worst downturn since the Great Depression. Go to the NMMA federal relations page where you will find the "Current Issues: NMMA Policy Briefs" and sample letter to email to your Member of Congress today!

This legislation is apparently based on the premise that "yachts" are owned by rich people and that the American taxpayer is subsidizing their extravagant lifestyle. This is a great misunderstanding. A "yacht," by definition, is any vessel that is 26 feet or longer, and the deduction on interest expense is only applicable if the boat has a head, galley, and sleeping berth. We know that a 26-footer is hardly what we all think of when we hear the word "yacht." Many a boat that can function as a second home on a lake or river fits the definition of "yacht." If land-sited dwellings and RVs can qualify for an interest deduction as a second home—and they can—why should a live-aboard boat be excluded simply because it floats on the water instead of being placed on land or driven down the highway? The logic is simply not there.

Furthermore, it is almost a certainty that the individuals that this legislation purportedly targets—the owners of what we might term "mega-yachts"—do not use this deduction. Those who are rich enough to afford the million-dollar boats the legislation's authors probably meant to target undoubtedly already have second homes on which they take the mortgage deduction. Instead, this bill would target the middle income family that decides to have their second home float on the water, instead of purchasing a stationary home or a rolling home. It all comes down to basic fairness.

If this legislation were to pass, its unintended consequence would be that sales of boats and boating services would diminish, thousands of American jobs would be placed at risk, and many middle class American families would be forced out of boating and deprived of their summer home on the water. Please go to http://www.nmma.org/government/issues/federal.aspx and find "Current Issues: NMMA Policy Briefs" for the sample letter you can use to email your Member of Congress and urge them to oppose H.R. 1702. Please act before it is too late.

Sincerely,

Thomas J. Dammrich
NMMA President

Northwest boating legend passes away

Northwest boating legend and friend to many in the industry, R.M. “Tolly” Tollefson, passed away at the age of 100 this past Friday night.

In an article posted on ThreeSheetsNW.com:

The founder of Kelso, Wash.-based Tollycrafts Yachts, Tolly, as he was known, created motorboats whose timeless designs and sturdy construction earned him generations of devotees. Though never trained as a naval architect, Tolly was renowned as a pioneer in early fiberglass construction and a visionary who boldly used color on boats before others did.

He also made a point of talking with boaters, attending rendezvous and other boating events while cruising extensively along the Pacific coast.

You can read the full article on Tolly by clicking on http://threesheetsnw.com/blog/archives/16869

Tolly was honored in 2006 by NMTA with the Jerry Bryant award, given for his many contributions to the marine industry.

Wear-it Campaign!

NMTA is firmly behind an educational effort to increase life-jacket usage. In particular, this national campaign (Wear-it!) has picked Washington state for a series of events this summer. It's centered around fun summer times and the ease and importance of wearing life jackets.

Here's a link to the website for the events: www.wearitwashington.com

Upcoming Boatyard Training

The Clean Boating Foundation, a new organization that NMTA has helped launch, is planning their first event, and it's right around the corner.

Here are the details:

A conversation with DOE's permit writer Gary Bailey and DOE's field inspectors Kurt Baumgarten and Greg Stegman about the new permit that takes effect on June 1, 2011

Wednesday, May 18

9:00-Noon

Bellevue's DOE Field Office
3190 160th Ave SE
Bellevue, WA 98008

Bring your questions as we work together to get a better understanding of what's required. Here's a link to the new permit: CLICK LINK

Gov signs non-copper bill

In case you missed it on Tuesday, Governor Gregoire signed the non-copper paint bill. Here's the updated story on Three Sheets Northwest: http://threesheetsnw.com/blog/archives/16508

Non-Copper Bill will be signed by the Governor tomorrow

This just in: the non-coppper paint bill for recreational boats will be signed by Governor Gregoire tomorrow in her office.