December E Newsletter 2020

The Marine Recreation Association is continuing the MRA Educational Series into 2021 with a series of FREE interactive ZOOM webinars covering important new developments and on-going education in the marine and recreational boating industry.

The first of the 2021 series will provide attendees with a California Employers 9-Step Compliance Blueprint for New Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Safety Standards, which became effective December 1, 2020 as an emergency Cal/OSHA regulation imposing new obligations on California employers related to COVID-19 prevention.

The webinar, scheduled for Tuesday, January 12, 2021 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM, will be led by Robert Smith, Executive Director, Fisher Phillips Safety Solutions, and Travis Vance, Partner, Fisher & Phillips, LLP. Fisher & Phillips has assisted more than 500 companies during the pandemic with diverse and focused preventive policies and procedures to avoid employment and workplace safety-related claims.

Robert and Travis both have a comprehensive understanding of the marine industry and the complexity of our customer service focused industry.

The new Cal/OSHA COVID-19 emergency regulations represent the most far-reaching formal rule-making by Cal/OSHA on COVID-19, and may be a preview of new regulations we can expect at the federal level under a Biden administration.

Marinas and local governments across the U.S. and Canada can stop litter from entering coastal and inland waterways and reduce marine debris thanks to a new grant program sponsored by Dart Container Corporation and UltraTech International, Inc. Dart will provide up to $100,000 in grants ($4,000 per qualifying organization) for the purchase and installation of UltraTech’s patented Ultra-Drain Guard stormwater management products, which prevent litter, oil, and sediment from entering waterways via storm drains.

Dart, a food & beverage packaging manufacturer, partnered with UltraTech as part of their sustainability commitments after a pilot project with Ultra-Guard catch basin devices successfully collected an estimated 1,250 pounds of litter and other contaminants in Southern California.

“Approximately 80 percent of stormwater drains go directly into a body of water without treatment,” explained Michael Westerfield, Dart’s director of Recycling. “We were impressed with the success of UltraTech’s Drain Guards in stopping litter from entering waterways that we joined forces to help communities that might not have the resources to purchase and install the devices.”

As a manufacturer that accepts responsibility for the environmental impacts of its products, Dart has a decades-long record of innovating and investing in sustainability practices to reduce landfill waste, marine debris, and litter.

“As part of our comprehensive sustainability commitments that focus on innovation, investment and inspiration, Dart is tackling the marine debris issue through prevention, education and mitigation strategies,” stated Westerfield.

Marinas and local municipalities that want to learn more about the program or submit applications for grants of up to $4,000 per organization should visit UltraTech at www.keepmarinasclean.com or call (904) 292-1611.

By: Darin Selfridge

Did you know?

Business Email Compromise (BEC) is one of the most common threats today. It employs tactics like impersonating an executive, HR, or a trusted vendor to initiate fraudulent transfers of money. According to the FBI, $1.7 billion was lost to BEC in 2019 alone.

Here are tips from the FBI to stay secure:

Be Skeptical

Last-minute changes in wiring instructions or recipient account information must be verified.

Don’t Click It

Verify any changes and information via the contact on file—do not contact the vendor through the number provided in the email.

Double-check That URL

Ensure the URL in the email is associated with the business it claims to be from.

Spelling Counts

Be alert to misspelled hyperlinks in the actual domain name.

It’s a Match

Verify the email address used to send emails, especially when using a mobile or handheld device, by ensuring the sender’s email address appears to match who it’s coming from.

Pay Attention

Often there are clues with Business Email Compromise:

·        An employee who does not normally interact with the CEO receives an urgent request from them.

·        You see data that shows an employee is in one location at 1:00pm but halfway around the globe 10 minutes later.

·        You see activity from an employee who is supposed to be on leave.

And, As Always, if You See Something, Say Something

If something looks awry, report it to us or a supervisor. And if you have been a victim of BEC, file a detailed complaint with http://www.ic3.gov.

Official-Looking Vessel Documentation Renewal Notices

Can Lead to Confusion and Higher Costs

BoatUS advises boaters to be vigilant when renewing USCG vessel documentation

Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is advising boaters with vessels that have a U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation to be wary of any letter arriving by U.S. mail offering renewal.

BoatUS advises that while the Coast Guard does send official annual renewal notices by U.S. mail, other notices being received by members are not from the Coast Guard but rather third-party companies whose name or return addresses may appear similar to that of the official U.S. Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC).

BoatUS members have complained that these letters direct them to websites that may be mistaken for the actual Coast Guard NVDC located in Falling Waters, West Virginia, and appear to show a significant increase in the annual fee to renew Coast Guard documentation.

In 2017 the Coast Guard issued a bulletin that says in part:

“The NVDC is aware that there are commercial entities that offer to manage the certification/renewal process on behalf of vessel owners for a fee. The Coast Guard does not endorse any of these companies, and the companies do not operate on behalf of the Coast Guard in any way. Any fees charged or agreements offered by such companies are in no way associated with the NVDC certification process. In addition, these companies are not authorized to issue any form of documentation, including travel letters and/or permits that authorize operation of ANY vessel. Customer complaints can be made through the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) website at https://www.ftc.gov/.”

While third-party companies may legitimately provide services to assist with vessel documentation renewals, the Coast Guard’s own renewal process is simple for most vessels and the price, $26 annually, is often much lower than what third-party services may charge. To renew, go to the Coast Guard National Documentation Center website at https://www.uscg.mil/nvdc and click on “instructions and forms,” then “Certificate of Documentation Application for Renewal.” BoatUS notes that the Coast Guard NVDC now also offers renewal options up to five years for recreational vessels only.

To be documented, a vessel must measure at least five net tons and, with the exception of certain oil-spill response vessels, owned by a U.S. citizen. Boats about 27 feet in length or longer generally meet the weight requirement.

BoatUS also advises boaters who may have received mail that they believe is misleading or deceptive to contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or through its website https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov.

About Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS):

Celebrating more than 50 years, BoatUS is the nation’s largest organization of recreational boaters with more than 700,000 members. We are the boat owners’ voice on Capitol Hill and fight for their rights. We are The Boat Owners Auto Club and help ensure a roadside trailer breakdown doesn’t end a boating or fishing trip before it begins. When boats break down on the water, TowBoatUS brings them safely back to the launch ramp or dock, 24/7. BoatUS offers GEICO Marine Insurance policies that give boat owners affordable, specialized coverage and superior service they need. We help keep boaters safe and our waters clean with assistance from the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water. Visit BoatUS.com

Pier 44 Marina

Located in the Marina Del Rey harbor, Pier 44 Marina has recently completed an extensive reconstruction resulting in a more accessible and aesthetically pleasing experience for their slip holders and the surrounding community. The marina is just walking distance from Burton Chase Park and close by to LAX airport and Venice Beach. In addition to the renovation of the waterside marina, the property underwent a redevelopment of their landside attractions. Situated on the MDR Boardwalk, Pier 44 marina now offers a multitude of services and shops, including a retailer for boat parts, supplies and accessories. Locals can also enjoy waterfront shopping and dining as the new retail center features an outdoor plaza and patio seating. The property has an onsite yacht club and additional boater service offices.

Bellingham Marine spearheaded the waterside renovation which included a total replacement and redesign of the existing marina. The original layout consisted of 232 slips, while the redesigned marina now totals 141 slips, five end ties along with dinghy docks and transient slips. The updated marina features a land-side dry stack for boat storage along with a brand new jib crane. The marina’s upgrades include several amenities for boaters such a pump out station, boater restrooms with showers and laundry, 24-hour marina-controlled access gate and Wi-Fi. 

The marina construction began in September 2018 and was completed under a single phase. Bellingham Marine’s state of the art floating dock systems showcase a customized aesthetic that is unique to Pier 44 Marina.

The renovated docks feature a medium tone gray concrete with Ashler cut slate stamp deck. This process mimics the appearance of a stone walkway. The new docks feature wood walers and steel thru rods. To better meet ADA compliancy and federal guidelines for marina accessibility, Bellingham installed 80-foot pedestrian gangways. As an added safety benefit, the marina has a wireless color changing LED lights installed into each pedestal and power centers and is equipped with Nucore software system with available colors white, red, green or blue.

The marina was recently completed in November of 2020 and plans to open to boaters within the first month of 2021. The redevelopment of Pier 44 Marina ensures it will remain waterfront destination that is more accessible to those visiting the harbor or those who call it home.