Newsletters

JANUARY 2025

Happy New Year!

I am excited to share some upcoming opportunities with you—there are a lot of them actually!

First, the grant review panel for the Palm Beach International Boat Show Gives Back grant program convened just before the holidays to review the dozens of grant applications that came in, and I am thrilled to announce we are awarding another $500,000 to 29 local non-profits with a focus on marine projects and programs. The recipients are being notified this week and we will celebrate at a special grant reception at the end of the month. Stay tuned for the complete list of grant recipients for this year! If you know of a nonprofit that might benefit for a grant of up to $25,000 then have them apply later this year, here: https://www.marinepbc.org/grant-program/

We have our one and only member dinner for the year taking place on Tuesday, January 28 at The Clubhouse at North Palm Beach Country Club. We will have many members to celebrate for their achievements, and membership anniversaries of 10, 20 and 30 years. Please see the invite below in the newsletter and register yourself and guests. Reserved tables of 8 are available for purchase, as well as other sponsorship opportunities. This is a great way to network and meet fellow members, as well as hear from our lobbyists from Corcoran Partners for a pre-legislative session update.

If you have not done so yet, please make sure to renew your membership by the end of this month. We will be going to print with the annual Boater’s Directory, which is mailed to all our Boater Members, and distributed at local fishing tournaments and other events like at the boat show. Advertising opportunities are available.

March and the Palm Beach International Boat Show is just around the corner, believe it or not. There are opportunities to sponsor both the kickoff party and the Business Leader Luncheon. If you have any questions, please reach out!



If you are exhibiting in one of the upcoming boat shows, we wish you much success and we look forward to see you and working with you and your business this year.



Cheers to 2025! 

Alyssa

Sponsor the Annual Member Awards:

Presenting Sponsor: $2,500 - Available

Cocktail Sponsor: $1,000 - Available

Students Table Sponsor: $500 - SOLD JAMCO

Support your industry and gain premium visibility. Secure your sponsorship now!

30 Year Awards

Palm Beach Yacht Club & Marina

20 Year Awards

Albury Brothers Boats

JH Sprague Consulting, LLC 

Wards Marine Electric 

10 Year Awards

CareerSource Palm Beach County

International Yacht Brokers Association

North Passage Yacht Club

Advertisement Examples:

FOR SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Rena Blades

Director, Community and Government Affairs Palm Beach International Boat Show (561) 313-9381 • rblades.marinepbc@protonmail.com

JA HIGH SCHOOL CAREER EXPLORATION FAIR

We will be attending more JA Career Exploration Fairs starting in 2025. The more opportunities we have for young people in our community the higher success we will have for our workforce needs in the future!

If you would like to drop off brochures or some marketing material that we can share with the students you can do so by bringing them to our office. Please let Stephanie know when you will coming by to ensure someone is here to receive it. Also please send us info if you do (or would) offer internships or job shadowing opportunities. Please email assistant@marinepbc.org. Feel free to elaborate if there is a certain timeframe, age requirement, or any other requirements. 

Donalds Bipartisan Bill To Expedite Disaster Relief For Fisheries Signed Into Law By The President

WASHINGTON – This weekend, H.R. 5103 – "The Bipartisan Fishery Improvement to Streamline untimely regulatory Hurdles post Emergency Situation Act (FISHES) Act," was signed into law by the President of the United States.

"The Bipartisan FISHES Act" is broadly-supported, bipartisan legislation to improve the federal regulatory process associated with the allocation of fishery disaster relief. Specifically, this commonsense and solutions-oriented bill seeks to expedite the distribution of federal disaster relief following official fishery disaster declarations–which the State of Florida has requested seven times since 2012.

H.R. 5103 is sponsored by Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) and passed both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate with votes of unanimous support. The legislation has received the support of 160 endorsing entities including 107 organizations, and fifty-two members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) is the sponsor of "The Bipartisan FISHES Act" Senate companion bill.

“For years, fishery disaster determinations across our nation have been left pending due to bureaucratic inaction,” said Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL). “This includes the catastrophic devastation caused by Hurricane Ian to our Southwest Florida community. This is a national problem; this is wrong; this must change; and this is why I introduced ‘The FISHES Act’ alongside Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) to expedite fishery disaster relief to communities in need. Thank you to my colleagues in Congress for advancing this critical legislation to the President’s desk and thank you to the President for signing this bill into law. Government must put the American people first and I am proud to stand-up for coastal communities across our nation.”

• See full text of the Donalds FISHES Act HERE.
• See Congress.gov bill profile of the Donalds FISHES Act HERE.
• See House Congressional Record documenting bill passage HERE.
• See Congress.gov bill profile of the Scott Senate companion HERE.
• See Donalds-Scott Joint Op-Ed in Support of FISHES Act HERE.
• See Senate Congressional Record documenting bill passage HERE.
• White House Press Release documenting bill signing HERE.

FWC enhances boater safety with interactive waterway app campaign

For years, waterway users in Florida have had to juggle multiple sources of information to plan, prepare and navigate safely to enjoy their time on the water. Understanding weather forecasts, finding local boat facilities, official warnings and notices, waterway zones, and safety equipment requirements often required using several apps, websites and publications, leading to uncertainty about where and when to go, what to do and how to fully enjoy a range of water activities safely.

In an exciting development for the boating community, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has announced a new initiative in collaboration with the National Safe Boating Council to pilot interactive safety content through a free mobile app called DECKEE. The app is designed to keep boaters safe and informed.

Whether you’re navigating the coastline in a powerboat or sailing yacht, paddling in Key West in a kayak, or heading out for a day of fishing with friends, content delivered through the DECKEE app unifies everything Florida’s water enthusiasts need for their next day on the water.

Over 1 million boat owners in Florida now have access to the following benefits and safety features in the free DECKEE app:

• Plan your next adventure on the water with detailed maps, facility information, official warnings, aids to navigation and community insights.
• Access personalized equipment checklists, boating forecasts, regulations and resources from the FWC to ensure you are always ready for the ideal weather window.
• Automatically log your activities while on the water and share your live location to give friends and family peace of mind.

Indiantown Marine Center is Hiring

Title: Office and Marketing Administrator

Duties: Customer Service, Compliance, Business Administration, Marketing and Events, Data Entry, Facility Maintenance.

Job Description:

Support daily organizational and general office tasks including greeting visitors and answering phones, providing information on Company Policies, and generating business related documents such as estimates, service tickets, and invoices. Promote a harmonious workplace by maintaining clear communication, handling correspondence, and interacting with customers and contractors. Plan and manage general marketing and promotional events in accordance with the Company Marketing Plan in order to heighten branding, generate sales inquiries, and increase revenue.

The Office and Marketing Administrator works with the Office and Compliance Manager to support the administrative and marketing needs of the Company, which includes but is not limited to:

• Address others with professional courtesy to develop positive relationships and encourage a friendly atmosphere for employees, customers, crew, and contractors.
• Provide Company operational information to customers, contractors, vendors, and others as relates to rates, policies, and general information and reinforce and maintain standard operating procedures.
• Prepare, distribute, receive, and file company business documents including estimates, statements, invoices, agreements, waivers, and other documentation and conduct company business in a professional and efficient manner; suggest strategies of increasing efficiency and streamlining company business practices.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute promotional activities by using the Company Marketing Plan including utilizing social media platforms, generating promotional materials, and managing boat show participation as well as development of other events centered around advertising and promotion of the Company. 
• Provide availability for occasional weekend duty roster, and also for extended hours in the event of a hurricane threat to meet the increased demand for Company operations.
• Assist Management with general office operations including assistance with bookkeeping, general cleaning and tidiness of the office, special projects, human resources, or other office functions. 
• Comply with the terms of employment in the Employee Handbook, including participating in training for safety and environmental issues and working to increase efficiency as best possible.

Supervisor: Office and Compliance Manager

MICHAEL RYBOVICH & SONS HIRING

RESPONSOBILITIES:

• Enter stock withdrawals efficiently and accurately
• Driving a fork lift
• Driving company truck for parts pickup
• Maintain a clean and organized parts area
• Receiving parts
• Able to work in an open-air parts room.
• Bilingual preferred but not mandatory
• No smoking or vaping on property

Must have a strong attention to detail, computer experience, clean driving record, excellent communication skills.

Position Title: Executive Director

Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast

Executive Director Professional Services

Control of Work: The Executive Director shall have sole control of the manner and means of performing its services under this Agreement, with MIATC only being interested in the end performance. The results of any services performed must be to the satisfaction of the MIATC Board of Directors.

Position Title: Project Manager        

Brief Position Description: The Project Manager position is responsible for developing initial project plans and managing the service projects for Willis Custom Yachts (“WCY”). Job activities will include working with WCY business development department, WCY trade shops, WCY authorized outside contractors and WCY billing department. This position is also responsible for regular project status communication with WCY customers.    

MARINE ELECTRONIC SOLUTIONS & SERVICE, LLC

WEST PALM BEACH, FL

Full Time - Monday to Friday

Paid Holidays

Paid education for OEM Brands

This is a great opportunity for individuals who enjoy working with their hands and minds, have a strong attention to detail and thrive in a

collaborative team environment. 

MARINE HVAC Technician/Installer

The HVAC Technician/Installer will be responsible for performing routine maintenance and service repairs on heating, ventilating, air conditioning systems, and marine water maker units. This position will also be responsible for the installation according to specifications and established safety guidelines of new units or replacement parts for existing units. Candidate must be capable of working independently with high attention to detail, ability to troubleshoot and communicate equipment issues, have a plan of action, assess and order parts and supplies needed for each job to completion.

CrossCurrents Newsletter is published by the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Inc. in an effort to provide its members with information that will educate, while enabling members to increase networking with other marine industry businesses.

Board of Directors

Austin Burkett, President

E.J. Schrader Mattress Company, Inc.

Tamra Fitzgerald, Vice President 

Venue Marketing Group

Raymond Graziotto, Secretary

Seven Kings Holding 

Janet Zimmerman, Treasurer

Florida Inland Navigation District  

Mallory Doremus

Palmdale Oil Company

Tino Garcia

Ferreira Construction Company, Inc.

George Gentile

2GHO, Inc.

Rick Kozell

Law Office of Rick Kozell



Martin Murphy, Jr.

JAMCO, Inc.

Doug West

Westwind Marine Advisors

Staff

Alyssa Freeman 

Executive Director

Paola Pineros

Marketing & Membership Manager

Stephanie Button

Administrative Manager

Rena Blades

PBIBS Director of Community Relations and Government Affairs