CAMBRIDGE, MA – August 5, 2016 – A new partnership among boating safety certification provider Boat Ed®, marina reservation platform Dockwa, and online boat rental marketplace GetMyBoat aims to increase participation in recreational boating by reducing common barriers to first starting to boat.
A 2014 report by the National Marine Manufacturers Association found that the number of boats used for recreational boating has fallen 11% since 2005—which means boaters have fewer places to turn when beginning the sport.
According to the National Recreational Boating Survey released by the U.S. Coast Guard in 2012, 27% of U.S. residents operated or rode in a boat that year—but the average boater used their boat only 11 days per year.*
By joining resources, the new partnership among Boat Ed, Dockwa, and GetMyBoat will increase boating opportunities by making it easier for new boaters to get certified, reserve a slip or mooring, and rent a boat—all online. Processes that used to require days of phone calling and organization now happen in a second, right from your smartphone.
“There is just so much about boating to enjoy, whether that means going paddling in a canoe, fishing at the lake, or cruising the coast with your family. It’s our goal to encourage more people to spend more time embracing those opportunities,” said Jason Alexander, Boat Ed CEO.
Boat Ed works with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and state agencies to offer online boating safety certifications. Boat Ed also produces the Boat America student manual used to teach in-person classes throughout the U.S.
After completing their boater safety education, boaters can then rent a boat through GetMyBoat. With 60,000 boats in 169 countries, GetMyBoat allows users to browse their location for the perfect watercraft, connect with owners and book a boat rental or charter directly through the GetMyBoat app for Android or iOS.
Boaters can use Dockwa, a free site and app for marina reservations, to discover, reserve, and securely pay for slips and moorings at hundreds of marinas throughout the U.S. and Caribbean. Those marinas in turn use Dockwa to manage reservation requests and communicate directly with each boater.
“It’s fantastic to align ourselves with more marine industry innovators such as Boat Ed and GetMyBoat, and to see the overwhelming support from boaters and marine professionals alike,” said Dockwa CEO Mike Melillo. “We’re thrilled to partner with two of the leaders in the marine industry to expand on Dockwa’s mission to increase access to boating for all.”
Together, these companies promote boating by putting the power to become better boaters in the hands (and smartphone) of every boater.
*The 2012 report is the most recent data available, but more recent observations by the partner organizations support the findings.
About Dockwa
Founded in May 2015, Dockwa is an award-winning, marina operations platform which connects boaters to marinas in real time, online and by app. Boaters download the free iOS or Android app or log in online and then search, explore, reserve and pay for their reservations in a matter of minutes. Marinas then use the Dockwa platform to confirm the reservation, collect payment and deposit the customer’s information into their intelligent database with a single click. Headquartered in Newport, RI, Dockwa rapidly expanded along the Eastern Seaboard in its first year with a growing marina network of more than 400 marinas and more than 20,000 boaters. Dockwa is now expanding into the Great Lakes region, the West Coast and beyond. For more information, visit: https://dockwa.com and follow on LinkedIn and @getdockwa on Twitter.
About Boat Ed
Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC, parent company of Boat Ed, is the official provider of recreational safety education materials for all 50 states, as well as Canada, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand. Our print and Internet courses have been providing official safety certification since 1995. We provide safety courses in boating, hunting, bowhunting, and operating off-road vehicles and snowmobiles. For more information, visit http://www.kalkomey.com/.
About GetMyBoat
GetMyBoat is changing the way the world goes boating by powering the largest boat rental marketplace. With over 60,000+ boats in 169 countries and 7,100 locations, there is an experience for new boaters and seasoned sailors alike. Launched in San Francisco in 2013, GetMyBoat empowers owners of every type of watercraft, from kayaks and sailboats to powerboats and yachts, to post their watercraft for rent or charter. From California to Croatia, our users can search, find and book their dreamboat. Go Ahead, Make Waves.
Media Contact:
Tracy Wemett
+1-617-868-5031
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About The Wanderlust Group
Founded in 2014, The Wanderlust Group is a technology leader in the marine and outdoor travel industries made up of subsidiaries Dockwa and Marinas.com. We believe that the world is a better place when people are able to spend time outdoors, connected to nature and each other. To support this mission, we make technology that enables accessibility, enjoyment, and affordability to outdoor experiences for all. With offices in Newport, RI, and Cambridge, MA, the company has expanded to more than 30 countries, 15,000 marinas, and 250,000 boaters worldwide.
For more information, visit: https://wanderlustgroup.com, https://dockwa.com, https://marinas.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Media Contact:
Becky Pineo
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