Scuttelbutt Newsletter - New York Marine Trades Association

Scuttlebutt is the newsletter of the New York Marine Trades Association and is distributed via email to
members, industry leaders and marine- related governmental agencies.
NYMTA Objectives: To promote the general welfare of the marine industry and to advance the safe and proper use of boats,
marine accessories, and facilities through any and all means consistent with the public interest and welfare without deriving
benefit for itself or any member. To provide a forum, exchange experiences and viewpoints through discussion, study and
publication of all aspects and functions of the marine trade industry. To seek new legislation and modify existing legislation,
which serves the best interest of the boating public and the marine industry. To engage in any and all activities designed to
broaden the public awareness of the importance, and the function, of the marine trades industry and its operation. To
undertake such other functions consistent with these bylaws and with the existing body of law, this will advance the efficiency,
success and well-being of the marine trades industry. To cooperate with other industries and organizations for the mutual
benefit of all concerned.
Staff: Vincent Mazzone/[email protected], Chris Squeri/[email protected]
President: Jeff Kalibat/[email protected]
Board Members: Alan Bregman [email protected], Ben Pulvidente [email protected]
Bill Sherman [email protected] , Chris McGuirk [email protected]
Dave Bofill [email protected], Dave Kazmark [email protected]
Dennis McGowan [email protected], Joe DeVita [email protected] ,
Pete Eriksen [email protected] Ted Degarmo [email protected]
Mark Friel [email protected]
Message from the President of the NYMTA
First, I would like to thank you all for your continued support of the NYMTA. Your membership truly
does matter while we continue defending our industry from needless regulation. If it was not for the
NYMTA’s presence in Albany the law for boating certificates would have been applied to every boater
starting this year. Our industry needs to band together if we expect to have a voice. Please support
others that support the NYMTA and pressure those that are not members to become one. All NYMTA
membership dues go to protecting our members and industry.
Thank you,
Jeff Kalibat
Industry News and Updates
DEC Visits
The DEC recently visited marinas on Long Island. Please be sure to have all of your paper work
complete and correct. Make sure all of your bottom paint protocols are being followed. If you would like
a “Bottom Paint” instructional poster please contact the NYMTA today.
NY Tax and Finance Officials May Visit LI Marinas
Searching for Sales Tax Evaders
Long Island waters may become more taxing this summer for some boaters who dock in New York while
trying to evade state sales tax. That’s the promise of New York State Department of Taxation and
Finance officials. They believe the Empire State is being cheated out of millions of dollars a year. So, tax
collectors are patrolling various Long Island docks, targeting boaters who buy boats in states with lower
sales taxes, then dock in New York waters.
“Out-of-state boaters thinking about docking their sloop, yacht or cabin cruiser in the Empire State’s
waterways had better keep their checkbooks aboard,” according to Sharon Ackerman, a CPA. She is the
director of the tax controversy services group of Anchin, Block and Anchin, a New York City-based
accounting and advisory firm.
Tax evaders may be New Yorkers who bought boats out of state or people who have come from other
states to use New York facilities. Either way, Ackerman says, it could trigger a big tax bill and penalty.
She adds that New York state officials catching those not paying New York state sales tax can impose the
tax as well as huge interest and penalty charges. Still, she notes that some dealers in other states are
advising people to register boats in New York.
Ackerman warns that even if one thinks he or she has ducked the taxes, state agents take numbers at New
York docks and eventually nab tax cheaters, whether it takes months or a year.
“When you add the interest and penalties, it can sometimes be almost as much as 50 percent more than
the tax that you owe,” Ackerman says. Although she had no estimate of how much the state might
recover. “There are states in which you don’t have to pay sales taxes on boats, or states where the sales
tax is less than here,” Ackerman says. But if you go to other states to obtain lower sales taxes, when you
come back you will be required, if caught, to pay the difference.
2014 NYS Legislative Review
For the past 15 years, the NYMTA has taken a proactive and aggressive approach to legislative and
proactive issues. Over those years, through our work with the ESMTA, we have been very successful in
getting four pro marine industry bills passed and defeating all negative bills. It is possible we may see
that streak end this year.
This year, the legislature has passed the “Invasive Species” bill. It has not been signed or vetoed by the
Governor yet. The bill is punitive in nature and does little to really combat the issues that invasive
species present. The bill has very little to do with the marine coastal district (saltwater/LI & NYC). But
it does affect many of the predominantly upstate up-state lakes and rivers. We are working hard to get the
legislation vetoed.
Boating Safety is still a hot item in the media and legislature. The Boating Safety Bill requiring all those
born after May 1996 to obtain a safety certificate started this past May 1. There have been media stories
criticizing the law in that it doesn’t do enough. Well, the statistics and facts differ. Requiring safety
certificates does not equal safe boating. Please see the facts below for more info.
As always, we have worked diligently on BWI bills in the legislature and have supported several and
opposed a select few as they crossover with driving licenses.
Boating Safety Facts:
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•
•
From 1980 - 2011 – NYS Boating registrations increased 50% and boating fatality rate decreased
nearly 75%.
Every year, NYS has a better fatality rate than either NJ or CT - both of those states have safety
requirements.
Every year – at least 40% of NYS boating fatalities occur on non-motorized, non-registered crafts
such as canoes, kayaks and/or rowboats.
The impetus for Safe Boating Certificates recently is due to the two high profile tragedies that occurred in
2012 – the Robert Moses bridge collision and the Oyster Bay Fireworks capsizing. Both of those
accidents and tragedies would not have been prevented by requiring all operators to obtain a safety
certificate. The Robert Moses accident was caused by BWI. Both the operator and owner of the boat in
the Oyster Bay capsizing possessed safety certificates.
As always, the NYMTA and ESMTA will seek and promote active and beneficial ways to improve
boating. Just recently, we supported lowering the DWI level to .08 to match automobiles and advocated
for the use of lifejackets on small boats under 21’ during the winter months to reduce hypothermia and
cold water fatalities.
If you have any questions regarding legislative matters, please contact Chris Squeri.
What is the NYMTA working on?
Contracts for this year’s Tobay Beach In-Water Boat & Brokerage Show have been mailed out. They are
also available online at www.nyboatshows.com. This year’s show will takes place beginning Friday
September 26 through Sunday September 28, 2014. In case of bad weather the NYMTA has worked out
a rain date schedule for the following weekend.
Aggressive show pricing, thousands of qualified buyers, and a top 10 boating market all make the Tobay
Beach In-Water Boat and Brokerage show a sales opportunity you simply can’t afford to miss! For more
information please visit www.nyboatshows.com, call Vincent Mazzone at 631.691.7050 or email
[email protected].
Life Vest Sponsor Opportunity
The NYMTA will once again give away free life vests at this year’s Tobay Beach In-Water Boat Show.
We are currently looking for someone to sponsor this event. Signage will be posted at the front entrance
listing your company as a promotional sponsor. Additionally, your company name and logo will be
included in print and radio media including Newsday, KJOY, WALK and WBAB. If you are interested
please contact [email protected]. The cost for this sponsor opportunity to NYMTA members is
$1,000.
What are my NYMTA dues used for?
In addition to helping fund the day to day operations of the NYMTA, approximately one-third of your
dues are used by the NYMTA on a legislative level and in particular for NYMTA membership into the
ESMTA.
The ESMTA provides the NYMTA and its membership a legislative presence in Albany. The ESMTA
works throughout the year, to educate public officials about the important role of recreational boating to
the State's economy and tourism industry.
The ESMTA's government relations efforts include active lobbying by The Capitol Group to monitor
potential legislation affecting the industry and advocate, under the direction of the Board, for favourable
legislation and regulations. In addition to ongoing advocacy activities throughout the year, the
Association holds an Annual Advocacy Day in early spring. The event provides opportunity for ESMTA
members to discuss the organization's legislative priorities for the year and meet with state lawmakers at
the annual legislative dinner
Membership
As of July 28, 2014 the NYMTA has 118 members. Membership is now closed for the year to any past
members who failed to renew. New members however will be accepted throughout the year. Please refer
us to any marine business that could benefit from all of the services the NYMTA provides, including
business networking, boat shows/sales opportunities, DEC compliance, bottom paint certification, SPDES
permits and much more. We are as strong as our numbers. You can receive Membership applications on
our website at www.nymta.com or by calling the NYMTA office at 631.691.7050. Remember, your dues
are used to help your business.