Marine University is now endorsement by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators, which allows the organization to continue its work with dealers through 2008. The nonprofit Marine University offers dealers a program to provide safety education, Boater101, at the point of sale. The organization also is republishing its Boater101 manual in a new format that can be sold in bookstores. Marine dealerships nationwide will also sell the manual.
"With this endorsement, we are looking to target the general consumer with our full-reference guide to boating safety education and generate interest in the boating lifestyle," says Susan Engle, Marine University president.
The revised edition can be used as a marketing tool for dealers who have become Marine University-certified. Manufacturers participating in the program include Brunswick Corp., Formula Boats, Four Winns and Volvo Penta as well as other leading marine industry companies and organizations, including INAMAR Recreational Marine Insurance, KeyBank, Marine Industries Association of South Florida, National Marine Manufacturers Association and the OMC Foundation.
Volvo Penta has forged an agreement to distribute the newly-revised Boater101 manuals to all of its dealers. Under the license agreement, 10,000 manuals will be distributed to up to 200 Volvo Penta dealers, who will distribute the manual, full-reference guide for boating basics to new customers.
"Volvo Penta's support is taking an important step towards establishing boating safety education at the point of sale as a standard for the marine industry," says Engle. Boater101 was developed by the marine industry for boaters. Marine University, which has the endorsement of boat and engine manufacturers, is implementing its innovative program in dealerships nationwide.
For more information about Marine University call 954-730-6889 or go to www.marineuniversity.org.
