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BWI News.
BWI MEMBER REWARDS
BWI’s new service for Active members is designed to help them in their work, connect them with useful writing sources, generate story and feature ideas, enhance their on-water time and save them some good old moo-lah. “BWI Member Rewards,” is a pass-along of benefits from BWI Supporting members to assist writers in their work and, when appropriate, offer a discount for a product or service. As Supporters dream up the offers, they will be announced in the BWI Journal and posted here. Active members will generally be asked to contact a specific person at the offering firm to simplify verification of membership.
Supporting members who want to participate are asked to send a description of their offer, current or new, brief details and contact person information to info@bwi.org and put “Member Rewards” in the subject line. Those with questions should contact Executive Director Greg Proteau at the same email address or call 847/736-4142.
50% Off BoatU.S. Dues Plus Big Discounts on Fuel, Dockage and Repairs
BWI past President Michael Sciulla - who we all know understands the value of treasure - has extended to all BWI members a special deal that allows them to join BoatU.S. for a mere $12.50 or 50% off the regular member dues rate of $25. This enables BWI members to save not only on dues but also big bucks on gas, dockage and marina repairs at over 840 participating marinas around the country. Included with dues is a subscription to BoatU.S. Magazine as well as a significant discount on DIY Boat Owner magazine. To sign up for this booty go to BoatUS.com, click on Membership, Join and use the special code GA84962B in the space for Co-operating Group. To view BoatU.S. benefits, visit www.boatus.com/group/benefits.asp.
Be a Star, Be Brite, Try Star Brite on Board (& Get Expert Advice)
Star brite, by its own admission as a leading manufacturer of boat maintenance products and fuel additives, will provide editorial support for articles in the form of product samples, artwork, technical advice from staff chemists and research personnel, tours of the firm's 300,000- sq. ft. Kinpack manufacturing facilty in Montgomery, AL and ready-for-use copy (How-To articles) to inquisitive BWI members. To clean up, please contact Bill (editor-turned-marketing guy) Lindsey, VP Marketing, at (800) 327-8583 or via e-mail at blindsey@starbrite.com.
Sea Tow (Not that you’d ever need it) Offers 15% discount on new memberships
Sea Tow offers BWI members a 15% discount off the cost of a one-year Gold Card (reg. $149) or Lake Card (reg. $119) membership. Complete membership details are available at www.seatow.com. To take advantage of this offer, just call 1-800-4SEATOW (473-2869) and reference promo code “BWI” or join/renew online at www.seatow.com and enter Promotional Code “BWI.”
Try One, Try All; Interlux New Boatcare Products
Interlux is making its new line of Boatcare products for fiberglass, wood, metal and painted surfaces available to BWI members. Products include All-Purpose Boat Soap, Heavy Duty Stain Remover, Light Duty Rubbing Compound, Premium Marine Wax with Cleaner, UV Protectant & Wax Sealer, Premium Teak Restorer and Premium Teak Oil. Products are “paint safe” which means they are safe to use on or around Interlux topside finishes. In addition, Boatcare products do not contain any silicone oils so they will not contaminate painted or fiberglass surfaces. Members should contact Jock West and advise if they are interested in the entire set or a custom mix. Reach him at jockwest@cox.net, 401-640-3416.
SMALL VESSEL SECURITY A COMPLEX CHALLENGE
Invited by BWI to begin a dialogue with the media, U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Joseph Nimmich, Assistant Commandant for Policy & Planning, outlined the broad challenge facing authorities for improving security against small boat threats. He brought the views of his office and those floated by his boss, Commandant Thad Allen, that consideration is being given to have recreational boaters obtain an automobile-type license as a security measure. That detail may be of greatest interest to the boating community, but it is only one of many being studied to address terrorist threats seen likely by Homeland Security. Nimmich spoke to about 150 writers and others from the industry during the February 16 BWI General Meeting at the Miami Boat Show.
The reason for the new emphasis on small boats is that other vulnerable points of terror -- airports, airlines and passengers for example -- have security routines in place. Since waterfronts and ports have marginal security, officials reason they have become “soft targets” and will be the obvious choice for terrorists to exploit. Currently, the Coast Guard tracks vessels of 300 tons and above. Its goal is to eventually have details about everything moving on the water.
Under discussion is determining the “right level” of security needed to address waterborne threats. Electronic tracking devices required on all boats are being considered because the technology is available, but the cost would be high and there is no precedent with cars. Increasing random intercepts of craft across the country is possible. A nationwide registration system for small boats, similar to one in place for cars, is under consideration. And the generally unpopular operator licensing is on the table with the possible addition of a practical or proficiency test enhancement. Nimmich suggests that a long term conversation with the small boat community will lead to preferred methods to improve security. He also warns that a waterborne terrorist event would likely move this conversation to action by a Congress resulting in regulations certain to be disagreeable to boaters.
The boating community has been asked to be the Coast Guard’s eyes and ears by participating in the America’s Waterways Watch program put in place last year. By calling 877-24-WATCH, people can report trouble or suspicious activity (more recently, boaters have been asked to call 911 then patched through to the Coast Guard for faster response). Coming this summer is a water-focused Security Summit where boating law officials, the intelligence community and the boating public will be asked to consider possible attacks and how to guard against them from one to six months in advance. Nimmich invited writers to be involved in the exercise.
Nimmich explained the Coast Guard’s mission entails three goals: safety, security and stewardship. He said “terror” can come from a variety of sources on the water and that fishing vessels and other service boats along with recreational vessels are included in the definition of “small boats.” The Coast Guard’s view of its control area isn’t confined to ports, navigable waterways or coasts, but extends to the Outer Continental Shelf. Activities under scrutiny include offshore drilling, transportation of liquid natural gas, general shipping and drug trafficking. Factors considered that affect security or will alter the ability to protect resources include Arctic ice melt and rising shorelines, the spread of pandemic flu via shipping on water, the weather (notably named storm hurricanes past and future), the stability of Cuba, and piracy on the high seas, among others.
Nimmich’s appearance before the boating media signals a new interest in dialogue with the recreational boating community. He openly asked for ideas from active on-water enthusiasts and recommendations to reduce the perceived security threat. Participation should make waterborne recreation and commerce a “hardened” target over time.
LOOK TO GROW BOATING AS RESOURCE DAMMRICH TELLS WRITERS
The industry’s Grow Boating initiative is touching and impacting many audiences that boating writers are serving, and there are several developing story ideas that can be written about in the months ahead. This was the message delivered by Thom Dammrich, NMMA and Grow Boating, Inc. president, to members and others attending the BWI Newsmaker session during the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show. He opened the session with the classic question, “What are the two best days in a boater’s life?” When the response he sought, “Every Saturday and Sunday,” was stated, he said that improved consumer satisfaction is the overall goal of GBI. Why should writers care? Because the parallel goal of the Initiative is to grow participation in boating, increase the ranks of those reading about their pastime and creating more places for writers to file their work.
(from left) Thom Dammrich at the Ft. Lauderdale Newsmaker session with BWI members Bransom Bean, Frank Herhold and an observer.
There are some early success stories reported by Dammrich. In numbers, the Grow Boating message has raised awareness of the benefits of boating with 1.2 billion impressions to target audiences in its first year. Dealership certification, a process to improve consumer experiences at the retail level, is currently being achieved by 400 dealerships throughout the country. Improving product quality through NMMA Certification has been achieved by 170 manufacturers, with an equal number soon to join the ranks.
More than writers can and should be involved with GBI, Dammrich pointed out. Publicists can encourage their boating clients to use marketing materials to tie into and leverage campaign themes. Non-commercial boating photography that shows the lifestyle is being sought. Publishers and writers can discuss the different aspects of Certification and the benefits it brings to readers.
Dammrich extended an offer to writers to follow an NMMA Certification inspector on rounds in a boat plant to understand what’s involved and report to readers. He suggested they take the one-day “Launch Workshop” to understand the goals of dealership certification. For water access topics, he urged reporting on local or farther reaching issues to help both boaters and decision makers understand the details. NMMA staff, notably BWI director Lindsey Savin (lsavin@nmma.org), can be the contact point to arrange details.
Other resources and generators of boating stories can be found with GBI partners. New statistics are about to be released by Michigan State University showing the economic impact of marine businesses on the local, state and industry levels (visit www.prr.msu.edu/RMRC/index.html). The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation is a storehouse for facts and the impact this pastime has on boat owners – half of whom buy a boat to fish (www.rbff.org). A developing program to take a friend boating (with a similar fishing effort dubbed “Angler’s Legacy”) can be reported to those already enjoying being on the water (www. takemefishing.org). Longer term, the Captain Kids program is bringing 8,000 children’s instructional programs in boating, sailing and fishing under a single umbrella to get the word out and kids involved (www.captainkids.org).
During a question and answer period, a comment was advanced that the manufacturing community doesn’t utilize the resource that boating publications and the writing community brings to promoting boating. Dammrich said programs that advocate “take a friend boating or fishing” and encourage retention of current boat owners would welcome the marine publishing community as a key partner. Others suggested targeting beyond the traditional “white male” market, using personalities – as golfing has with Tiger Woods - to promote the lifestyle, and drawing ideas from other successful campaigns such as the aircraft owner or recreational vehicle camps. Saying all have been or are under consideration, Dammrich indicated GBI is going for the "low hanging fruit" in the early years to gain the best return on the promotional investment, but plans to expand the reach to new markets such as those suggested in the years ahead.
WRITER'S RIGHTS REVIEWED AT ANNUAL MEETING
BWI's "Newsmaker" session in Miami, February 2006, featured "Negotiating Writer's Rights." Leslie J. Lott, Esquire, a partner in the Coral Gables, FL patent and trademark law firm of Lott & Friedland, provided a useful overview of copyright law that applies to writers and those who purchase their work and answered a number of specific questions from the audience. Lott offered to be a sounding board for BWI members and to provide information on developing copyright issues that affect writers.
Highlights of Lott's presentation follow. Those interested in viewing the entire Power Point presentation can visit www.lott-friedland.com/downloads.htm and click on Copyright Law: Legal Considerations.
Q: What is a copyright?
A: A federal protection which protects an author's particular expression of an idea when fixed in a tangible medium. Protected works include literary, musical, dramatic, pictorial, sound, and architectural works. Individual works are protected 70 years.
Q: When does protection begin?
A: Automatically as soon as the work is fixed in a tangible medium. Registration is not required, however, registration is required to initiate a copyright infringement suit. To register, fill out paperwork that can be found at www.copyright.gov.
Q: Who owns the copyright?
A: The author (defined as an independent contractor) owns it except work made for hire. Work for hire is either that created by an employee in his scope of employment or specially commissioned for specific works enumerated by statute. Commissioned work must reflect an agreement in writing and includes work by a freelance author commissioned by a publisher as a “contribution to a collective work.” Factors considered in defining "independent contractor" include: hiring party's control over the finished product, source of "tools," location of work, method of payment, and more.
Q: What are common forms of freelance contracts?
A: First North American Serial Rights (a one-time right to publish in North America), "All Rights" and Works-Made-For-Hire (author conveys entire bundle of rights to publisher), "Non Exclusive Right" agreements (the writer owns the work, but publisher may re-use
the work for no additional fee).
Q: How should writers negotiate with publishers?
A: Publishers will generally seek to obtain all rights to the work, so writers should seek adequate compensation or try to negotiate. Suggestions for negotiating from the American Society of Journalists and Authors include offering First North American rights only, licensing the work instead of assigning the copyright, or negotiate additional payment for additional uses.
BWI To Roll Out Speakers' Bureau
A new service for members, the boating industry and public, BWI is establishing a Speakers' Bureau to share the expertise of boating writers in a wide range of marine, communication and promotional topics. Once established, the service will be promoted to the boating public and marine trades and will link those looking for speakers with a roster of BWI members available for engagements.
BWI members are being asked to provide professional background information to build the speakers' databank. Speaker's files will include the following:
Name, Home Base, Phone, Email & Website
Where they will Speak (e.g., Locally, Regionally, Nationally)
Area of Expertise (e.g., Sail, Power, Both)
Fees & Expenses Charged?
Topics - Area of Expertise (from a list of two dozen)
Biography (limited to 300 words)
Interested members who want to be listed should send an email request for the Speakers' Bureau form to info@bwi.org and put "Speaker's Form" in the subject line. They can then complete the form, email it back to BWI, and it will be added to the listings. Questions can be directed to Greg Proteau at the same email or by calling 847.736.4142.
BWI Member Survey Results
Nearly 50% of BWI's Active and Associate members responded to the online membership survey conducted in mid-February. Click the link to view the results.
BWI 2005 Membership Survey Results (PDF)
Boating Access: Covering The Growing Crisis
The ability of average Americans to gain access to their cherished waterways is diminishing. As control of waterfronts changes from public to private, governments aren't spending the necessary time and money on existing and needed launch ramps and on-water facilities. Agencies charged to take care of access ignore the economic impact of recreational demand. And industry and recreational boaters watch and wonder as their resources and business lifeblood recede. As time passes further barriers are being raised to those seeking paths to boating and fishing.
During the BWI Annual Meeting in Miami, a Newsmaker session looked at the access issue. A panel of three BWI journalists offered an overview, summarized how they have reported the story, and identified sources to quote and people believed to help access improve. Panelists included Betsy Clayton, boating and outdoors writer for The Fort Myers, FL, News-Press, Matt Gruhn who is the Editor-in-Chief of Boating Industry magazine based in the Minneapolis area, and Jim Flannery, Senior Writer for Soundings publications and who works in the magazine's Ft. Lauderdale news bureau.
Panelists offering views of Boating Access issues at the Miami BWI meeting included Jim Flannery (from l.), Matt Gruhn and Betsy Clayton.
Clayton said access has been an issue in her region for at least 11 years and is just as critical for trailer boaters as those in slips. It has also spread inland, where once it only concerned those on the Gulf or in bays, those wanting to launch on rivers, basins and even mangrove swamps are being pushed out. As waterfront property costs have risen, slips and stack storage spaces declined, clogging and slowing launch ramp use as displaced slip or stack renters join the lines. Access is a very complex issue and is viewed differently by boaters in different places and regions.
In a recent News-Press column, Clayton said access can mean a public ramp or government-owned yacht basin, a private marina that allows public use, or a nonprofit club on a riverbank. What's clear, she says "is the erosion of access across Southwest Florida as waterfront property prices increase and the boating population grows." But she also holds hope in reporting a recent state Senate committee bill introduced to protect access in the wake of a report that showed construction of public waterfronts has been flat since 1987 as the number of boats has jumped 52 percent.
Flannery dates access concerns in the Northeast U.S. going back 20 years and suggests the erosion of places to launch or store boats has been gradual and thus not highly noticeable until it's too late. He says there are common themes to diminishing access: conversion of waterfronts from marinas to condos; in New England a big issue is the dredging slow down due to disposal concern of the spoils -- and this keep those on water from being able to get to marinas; permitting is getting tougher; new marinas are being built for bigger boats, causing a real crunch for boats in the 28- to 35-foot range; and zoning laws are eliminating boat yards in favor of retail or mixed public use.
Sources of information on access issues can be found locally, statewide and beyond, Flannery points out. Marine industry and local trade groups are a good place to start, as are boat owners and clubs, though the latter are often not organized. The environmental community will almost always have a stake in the situation and should be contacted to determine their sensitivities. At the state level, lawmakers and relevant committees are identifiable and involved. Nationally, government agencies including the Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, as well as other agencies and various wildlife commissions, have positions on water and access issues.
Gruhn agrees that boat access issues are often difficult to focus on because they are not as glamorous as other waterfront events or developments. He adds that getting statistics and economic impact details about boating and its contribution is very difficult. Recently, however, some new details have been emerging on the economic impact front. Gruhn pointed to the joint work of Michigan State University and National Marine Manufacturers Association at the Recreational Marine Research Center (RMRC). RMRC has created models to show how marinas, yards and boating retailers support local economies with sales and service revenues and, importantly, jobs (visit www.prr.msu.edu/rmrc/ or email rmrc@msu.edu). He also found help in contacting members of the States Organization for Boating Access, or SOBA, who have a history of supporting the efforts of boating business and the consumers they serve (visit www.sobaus.org).
Frank Herhold, executive director of the Marine Industries Association of Southeast Florida (MIASF), was in the audience at the meeting and underscored the importance of alerting and involving local governments to access challenges. MIASF has undertaken boating economic impact studies and uses these to make the case to maintain or expand access and retain water-based boating business (visit www.miasf.org). Also mentioned was Ken Stead of Southwest Florida MIA. He organized a marina conference that included focus on the on the access issue last year with a plan to make it an annual event. For details, email ken@swfmia.com.
Access issues are likely to be with boaters and industry from this point forward and will become more challenging if programs to attract more people to the boating lifestyle are successful. An article in Melbourne's (FL) Florida Today in late January provides a realistic look at the situation in this busy boating area. Since September, at least three public-access marinas … have been sold to developers. At least eight more public-access marinas across the county are for sale, are considering selling, or are under contract to sell. If all 11 marinas were sold to owners who wanted to eliminate their public access requirement, the average boater would be shut out of two-thirds of all marinas in Brevard County. Like many, Steven Webster, vice president of Citizens for Florida's Waterways, is pushing for amendments to state and county laws that obstruct the construction of new marinas. If new marinas were easier to build, the issue with Whitley Bay would be naught, he said. "The situation is not going to get better, public access is not going to get easier, and the griping is going to get worse," he said. "We all collectively own the water and the land below it and we all need to protect that." Those who want to keep up on what happens in Brevard can get ongoing coverage at Florida Today's site, www.floridatoday.com.
West Marine Will Fund Writer's Award Through 2008
West Marine announced during the BWI annual meeting at the Miami International Boat Show in February that it will fund the association’s top writing award - to be known as The West Marine Writer's Award - for five years through 2008. The award, consisting of a $5,000 check and a lucite tower trophy, is the top honor that BWI gives to a writer and the richest prize in boating journalism. Selection is made by independent judges who review all 42 first, second and third place category winners in BWI's annual writing contest. The grand prize award will be presented at the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show in the fall.
BWI Past President Michael Sciulla (l.) thanks West Marine's Tom Carey for agreeing to sponsor the BWI - West Marine Writing Award for five years.
Making the announcement was West Marine Senior Vice President for marketing, Tom Carey, who said, "We believe BWI's goal to reward excellence improves the quality and diversity of boating journalism. By recognizing the 'best of the best,' it encourages other writers to aim high. Ultimately, the boating consumer will benefit most from articles and reporting that is useful, interesting and entertaining."
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