2nd Attempt-Coronavirus Covid 19 and the Marine Industry

Press Release Issued from Informa...

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Following Governor Ron DeSantis’ executive order issuing a Stay-At-Home directive through April 30, the Palm Beach International Boat Show has been postponed until further notice. Our primary concern continues to be the safety and well-being of our staff, exhibitors, partners, and attendees. We are closely monitoring the latest developments regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and how it might further impact our show. As a trusted partner, we appreciate your investment with us and need to plan ahead.

In the show’s 35-year history we have never dealt with a situation such as this. The show date and status - as a result, unfortunately remain fluid under the circumstances. We continue to assess the situation and will provide a detailed update on the show’s status by April 17. We thank you for your support and patience as we continue to power through these uncharted waters.

With that said, it's everyone's business to have a healthy economy. The marine industry is an important staple of the Florida economy, accountable for over $23.3 billion. The Palm Beach International Boat Show has a total statewide economic impact of $682.7 million and supports 4,394 full-time Florida jobs. We are all eager to get back on board and help to continue contributing as a major statewide economic driver.

From all of us at Informa’s U.S. Boat Shows and the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Inc. we look forward to continuing to work with you as our partners, customers and industry colleagues.

Sincerely,

Andrew Doole
President, Informa U.S. Boat Shows, Informa Markets

George Gentile
President, Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Inc.

Chicago/Illinois shut down. Can't look at a boat, work on a boat, get on a boat until at least the end of the month. Skipper Bud's is shut down completely, although they are working shipments and a skeleton crew out of their Milwaukee location. It's going to be a REAL short season up here.

Funny Roger! Thanks for a little levity.

In many areas, the situation is also an opportunity for major transformation... if some will take the bait.

For example, given recent forced and accelerated advances in distance learning, and if a solution to the "baby-sitting" portion of public education emerges... school districts may begin to realize they don't need all those buildings... which in turn means they don't need all those buses, which in turn means (slightly) lowered polution, etc etc etc. All that, spread across a whole economy, also implies broader workforce reshaping, consumption reshaping...

I don't have insight into what factors might affect -- maybe transform -- the marine industries, though.

-Chris

I agree. Here in Ontario plans are already underway for changes going forward in making and delivering product for example. Delivery of essential services and products will see a radical change going forward. We will also be seeing a stronger direction of product developement and manufacturing
at home. There will be changes in many areas going forward. Education as you mention is one of them. Certainly given the economics going forward changes will have to be made to help in the recovery of monies spent now and going forward as a result of the current crisis.
Our marina is currently closed. It looks like this closeing may extend into May or June. And if it does open we are told it will not be the same. No pool, no gatherings of people, no events no clubhouse. Escorted to your boat to avoid any contact with anyone, then leave the marina, or stay on your boat.
Fuel availability or pumpouts???? A number of boating mates are considering no boating this year. Our season is short to begin with. Leaving the boats wraped or left in storage has already been discussed. Difficult decisions to be made over the next couple of months.

To be honest, I think that people with boats will still use them. Boating is in the DNA of many, and is an essential pastime in order to maintain sanity and productivity.

It's going to be different; city by city, marina by marina, person by person. There will be a great desire to get in the water countered by all kinds of impediments, some forced upon the community some inherent to the individual. One consideration is that storage facility contracts are time limited and as well slip contracts. Is the city of Chicago going to refund all or a portion of the slip fee's if they restrict access? It's a nice rev generator for the city which is going broke by the second. I would assume the storage folks would gladly rent out their space for additional money but owners are going to resist staying inside. It's not like we can wait like the folks in FL can. It will be interesting.

From Chesapeake Bay Magazine:

MD. UPDATES BOATING RESTRICTIONS, VA. BOATING REMAINS LEGAL
April 7, 2020

On the Chesapeake Bay, two governors’ executive orders have created two very different guidelines for boating during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Maryland, pleasure boaters must stay off the water except for essential purposes, which the state continues to clarify. In Virginia, boaters may go out freely as long as they follow social distancing rules (more on that below).

In light of the flood of questions from Maryland boaters since Governor Larry Hogan’s stay-at-home order, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has updated its guidelines about what is and isn’t allowed, with a couple of notable changes.

Recreational boating is still forbidden in Maryland, with a few exceptions. According to DNR’s “Frequently Asked Questions about Governor Hogan’s Stay at Home Order” web page, those exceptions now include moving a boat from a marina to your home. Here’s the language DNR uses to address the issue:

“Can I move my boat or have my boat moved from a marina to my home or my boat slip?

Yes, you can have your boat moved or delivered to your residence or boat slip. While it is not necessary for drivers in Maryland to have documentation about the purpose of travel, having such documentation may help. General recreational boating is not allowed.“

The agency’s current guide also addresses traveling through Maryland by boat:

“While there are no orders limiting travel through Maryland by boat or car at this time, travelers are advised to make trips only for essential purposes.”

But DNR urges anyone traveling by boat or otherwise to avoid close contact with others in Maryland and to follow CDC guidance on domestic travel.

DNR maintains that fishing to feed yourself or your family, from shore or from a boat, is allowed as long as you follow social distancing rules and all existing fishing regulations:

“All current fishing, crabbing, and hunting rules and regulations still apply, including the requirement to have the appropriate licenses, permits and stamps.”

On its Frequently Asked Questions page, DNR says its current guidance is “subject to change throughout the duration of the public health emergency,” but the intent of Governor Hogan’s executive order is simple: “stay home unless you absolutely must leave.”

Bay Bulletin has reported on the differences between Maryland and Virginia’s current boating regulations. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam’s executive order “permits continued engagement in outdoor activities that can be beneficial to us all.” The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) and Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) says recreational boating is allowed as long as boaters maintain at least six feet from other people who aren’t family, household members, or caretakers.

Virginia bans gatherings of 10 or more people, including:

“- When present at access points for fishing or boating, whether state or locally-owned;
– The beaching of vessels on sandbars, islands or banks while out on the water;
– The “rafting” of vessels together; and the numbers of individuals present on any vessel.
– When present at outdoor recreation lands, including Wildlife Management Areas.“

Virginia says its Conservation and Marine Police officers will be monitoring water access points and activity on the water, even as recreational boating remains allowed.

” DGIF and VMRC want the outdoors to be a place of safe escape for you during this difficult time, and our ability to continue to promote this depends upon your assistance.”

Charter fishing, meanwhile, is considered a nonessential business in Virginia, say the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, and charter boats may not operate. In Maryland, on the other hand, charter fishing is considered essential as part of the food supply chain, and is allowed.

–Meg Walburn Viviano

It's a little early to tell what the season will be like in the Northern part of the U.S. and Canada. All everyone can do is wait and see. Here in South Florida a lot of families are using their small boats, because there's nothing else to do. However, I'm seeing a decline in that because I believe everyone has gone through the fuel they've had in their fuel tanks and aren't filling them back up because of the economic uncertainty of their jobs and income. I was on the ICW yesterday and there were a decent amount of boats out for a weekday, but nothing like 2 weeks ago. Even though spring break is over, college students are still on break so it's not that.

It looks like it would be easy enough in MD to get around the non use of your boat issue, if you simply bring some fishing rods and go fishing or tell them you're moving it to another slip.

All marinas here are shut down including municipal ones. In fact the launch ramps the municipality ownes are all blocked with cement blockers so they cant be moved.

I noticed a little while ago that our local Burger King is completely closed now, including the drive up. How does that relate to boats? Having just drive up customers didn't justify keeping the lights on and paying salaries. I have to think that's going to filter down to fuel docks pretty soon as marinas up north generally hire yard workers this time of year for prepping and launching boats, and those are who also man the fuel docks. Will marinas want to invest tens of thousands of dollars in payroll and filling their tanks when sales are questionable due to people staying home to protect themselves, due to staying off their boats because of Covid 19 regulations, due to not having the money to run their boats from being out of work? Then there's the matter of liability if people are put at risk so businesses can make money from people who want to play on their boats.

How do you guys see the used midsize boat market faring for the next four or five years?