Covid-19 Pandemic
When the pandemic began in 2020, the MTA/NJ immediately went to work, fielding hundreds of phone calls and emails from members and boaters. The MTA/NJ aggressively lobbied state legislators and the Governor’s office to ensure that boating and marinas remained open – and they did the entire time.
Legislative Efforts & Advocacy Success
The MTA/NJ has been directly involved in the passage, movement and/or opposition of many bills that have positively impacted or negatively affected the industry including public access, the boating safety education law, abandoned vessel law, speed limits, fishing and boating restrictions, mandatory insurance and environmental legislation. The MTA/NJ was successful in getting legislation signed into law that reduced the sales tax by 50% for every boat sold in NJ across the board for boats, regardless of the price of the boat – with a cap of $20,000.
Environmental Regulations
The MTA/NJ has worked tirelessly for years to address and amend many environmental regulations that directly impact marine businesses. From 2013 through 2016, a number of significant rule changes for marinas were adopted and are the direct result of the MTA/NJ’s efforts in working with DEP leadership to further promote and protect the industry.
DEP Public Access Rule
The MTA/NJ worked tirelessly for over six years to provide relief for marinas forced to comply with the DEP public access rules. This long battle successfully came to an end in November 2012 when DEP leadership responded to the Association’s concerns and recognized the need to revise the state’s public-access rule to make it more reasonable using common sense and recognizing that marinas already provide access. In 2019, legislation was signed into law to rewrite the public access law. However, thanks to our efforts, the law included protections for marinas ensuring that the DEP can not amend the rules to expand requirements for marinas.
Workforce Development, Scholarships & Training Support for Members
In 2018, the MTA/NJ expanded Workforce Development efforts to address the shortage of skilled laborers, created the MTA/NJ Workforce Development Committee, conducted a workforce needs assessment and met with the NJ Dept. of Labor to explore funding and educational opportunities for the industry. The MTA/NJ Foundation continues to expand its educational support and has awarded over $35,000 in education scholarships over the last ten years and has directly reimbursed members over $10,000 for ABYC Certification Courses and OSHA Certification for forklift and marine travel lift operators.
Boat Shows
The MTA/NJ is committed to making sure that there are affordable and successful local boat shows to support our boat dealer members as well as those that provide related goods and services. As a result of that commitment, the MTA/NJ produces The Jersey Shore Boat Sale & Expo held in September at ShoreTown Ballpark in Lakewood and New Jersey Boat Sale & Expo held in February at the NJ Convention & Exposition Center in Edison.
Go Boating NJ
The GoBoatingNJ initiative was launched in 2013 to provide boaters throughout the Region with accurate and current information on the condition of New Jersey’s waterways following Hurricane Sandy in late October 2012. A new website, www.goboatingnj.org was created and included videos, links and boating resources. Go Boating NJ campaign’s objectives have now shifted to solely promoting boating in New Jersey. GoBoatingNJ now promotes boating all season long through social media outlets, news releases and the website. The Go Boating NJ campaign also established a number of different initiatives to help grow boating and keep boating friendly and fun.
Dredging
For the last 20 years, the MTA/NJ has worked closely with the NJDOT to support their efforts in maintaining NJ’s waterways and the State Channel Dredging Program. Most recently, the MTA/NJ assisted the NJDOT in obtaining funding for State Channel Dredging resulting in the completion of dredging in 25 channels including Double Creek Channel, Forked River and Shark River.
Events
In the last ten years alone, the MTA/NJ has held over 80 events in various locations across the state ranging from casual networking events to large conferences that provide attendees with a diverse and informative schedule of presentations. Many of these events offer members an affordable means to promote and advertise their businesses through sponsorships, resulting in new sales and new business contacts for these members.
Hurricane Sandy Recovery & Relief Efforts
These efforts are outlined in detail in the Overview of MTA/NJ Hurricane Sandy Recovery & Relief Efforts.
Vessel Wash Wastewater Regulations
The MTA/NJ worked directly with the DEP to provide relief for marine businesses needing to comply with this regulation. The MTA/NJ was responsible for a number of measures that benefit the industry.
I BOAT NJ
The MTA/NJ successfully lobbied for the dedication of boater registration fees to go back to the industry to support projects that improve and enhance recreational boating. The I BOAT NJ Program has provided millions of dollars for critical resources to improve the marine trades industry, much needed infrastructure improvements and it has helped to improve NJ’s reputation as a boating destination. While the last few state budgets have diverted I BOAT NJ Program dollars into the Department of Transportation’s operations and maintenance fund, the MTA/NJ continues to fight to restore these critical funds.
Clean Marina Program
Without the support and perseverance of the MTA/NJ, this program would not have been developed. To date, there are over 50 clean marinas and more becoming certified every month. The program provides free resources and materials to pledged and certified clean marinas.
Communications & Outreach
The MTA/NJ manages three websites, four Facebook pages as well as multiple X, YouTube and Instagram accounts all of which highlight the boating industry and our work to thousands of people every day. Members also receive monthly emails that provide timely information and important resources.