Dear Seamanship Training® Subscriber,

Welcome to the October issue of Seamanship Training®. If your friends and family also love boating, please share this newsletter with them or have them visit our newly designed and updated website at www.americanboating.org for more information.

We’d also like to take this opportunity to let you know that if you’re a complimentary member of ABA, you can upgrade your membership now and immediately start taking advantage of two excellent member benefits – a one-year subscription to Boating Life® magazine, compliments of ABA, and an official ABA hat. Click here to learn more!

If you’re not an ABA member, join today for only $15 to take advantage of these and all of the other valuable and useful ABA benefits. (Offer available to U.S. residents only.) Click here to learn more!

Boaters Urged To Help Stop EPA Boat Discharge System

After 34 years of exemptions to the Clean Water Act, recreational boaters face the threat of needing permits for discharges from their vessels unless Congress acts to keep the current regulations in place.

A court decision in September 2006 required the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a discharge permit system for all vessels in the United States. Heretofore, it has been only for commercial shipping.

Environmental groups filed a lawsuit in 1999 against the EPA, seeking to control the spread of aquatic species. The intent was to mandate treatment of ballast water in large commercial ships. Numerous organizations and groups participated in that suit and in 2005 the states of New York, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Minnesota joined in because of their concern for the Great Lakes. This original lawsuit was aimed at large commercial ships that must take on ballast water for balance stability but then discharge it before taking on cargo.

But pleasure boaters don’t need ballast water; at least more than 99 percent do not. Still, the EPA system would touch every boater.

Continue reading this article about the EPA Boat Discharge System…

Learn more about bill H.R. 2550 introduced into the House of Representatives...

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Only ABA Members Rate Financing This Good

With loans ranging from $10,000 to $2,500,000 for a full range of boats, the ABA Boat Finance Program offers competitive rates as low as 6.75% (current rate as of 10/8/07), exceptional experienced service, and a detailed understanding of the boat financing market. It's a fast, easy and simple process to finance your boat with ABA’s Boat Finance Program.

Just look at some of the benefits you’ll receive:

• No application fees and low closing costs
• Terms up to 20 years available (based on loan size)
• Rates among the lowest in the country (as low as 6.75%)
• Flexible payment programs customized to fit your budget
• Quick quote and loan turnaround
• First-time buyers are walked through the process, step by step
• Loan pre-approval allows you to shop for your boat with “cash in hand”
• Refinance your boat at today’s rate

Visit the ABA Boat Finance Program to learn more and receive a no-obligation quote!

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Winter Maintenance

by Tim Harrington, Madison Marine and ABA Member

When you finally pull your boat from the water this fall, give it a good looking over. If you notice maintenance that needs to be done, the temptation will be to put it off until next spring. However, many of these projects are perfect winter projects.

By taking care of maintenance issues this winter, you will avoid the inevitable rush that occurs at marinas every spring as owners scramble to get their boat ready for launching. More than one boat owner has missed a targeted spring launching date because of waiting for maintenance to be done. So make a list of things that need to be taken care of and enjoy the leisurely pace of getting them done during the off-season.

Continue reading about winter maintenance...

There is no better way to protect your investment or assure a trouble-free return to the water when the calendar swings back toward sunshine than to “winterize”.

Click here for a very helpful “winterizing” checklist.

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ABA Website Has Been Re-Designed

ABA's website, www.americanboating.org, has a lot to offer you. Best of all it has been newly re-design and updated with you in mind.

You'll continue to find all of your benefits, services, discounts, exceptional offers, articles, information and so much more, in this new website — so be sure to visit soon.

Visit the ABA website today!

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Discounts Available for All Your Travels

Starting to plan your holiday and winter travels? Don’t forget, ABA members receive deep discounts on hotels, vacation condo stays, cruises and car rental rates through ABA’s Online Travel Booking Service. It’s convenient and gives you the ability to check rates and book your hotel, car rental, airfare, cruise or condo rental all at the same time. Save big on time and money with ABA’s Online Travel Booking Service – your one-stop travel shopping spot!

Visit the ABA Online Travel Booking Service to check rates, availability and make your reservations!

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Helpful Boating Pointers

• How to Choose a Handheld GPS Receiver ~ To the first-time buyer, selecting a handheld GPS unit can be a daunting task. Knowing your navigational needs in advance will make your shopping easier, and your next boating trip more enjoyable. Click here for some helpful insight.
  
  
• Rules for Emergency Beacons ~ Both 121.5 and 243 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) are prohibited from use in both commercial and recreational watercraft. Boaters wishing to have an emergency rescue beacon aboard their vessel must have a digital 406 MHz model. Click here to learn more.

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Boating Humor

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Thank you for your ABA membership and/or subscription to Seamanship Training®. Every time you use your member benefits, you not only benefit personally, you help support ABA’s mission to promote boating safety, affordability, growth, and a clean environment.

Thank you and safe boating to you.