Bath, ME – There was a great turnout this year at the seventh annual Maine Built Boats Global Outreach Conference.
Hosted at the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, ME, the conference brought together over 100 boat building professionals and students for networking, collaboration, idea sharing, and learning with a focus on the promotion and branding of boats built in the state of Maine.
In addition to 4 specific seminars (Diesel Engines, Carbon Fiber Construction, Post Hurricane Marine Surveys, and Marine Coatings), there were nearly two dozen vendor booths, and lots of opportunities for attendees to chat amongst their peers.
Diesel Engines and Tier 4 Compliance:
The seminars kicked off in the morning with a discussion around Diesel Engine Emissions and Tier 4 compliance. The issue stems around the EPA’s size limits on diesel engine horsepower ratings for commercial work boats. Engines over 804 horsepower are required to have additional emissions control equipment on board that is not only cumbersome, but very costly.
The negative effects these regulations were having on Maine’s boat building industry were demonstrated by a variety of industry representatives. For example, fishermen requiring larger boats for working offshore faced the choice of a dangerously underpowered boat, or not being able to afford a boat at all.
Special recognition was given to Mack Boring’s own Peter Emerson for his work towards getting a hardship exemption or deferment for lobster boats noting their unique characteristics and the nature of their use. There was a shared optimism in the room that an exemption or deferment of some sort was on the horizon.
Carbon Fiber Construction:
Richard Downs-Honey, President of the Landing School (Arundel, ME), gave an impassioned speech on the economic utilization of carbon fiber in boat construction. Downs-Honey presented the case that carbon fiber could be used economically in Maine and highlighted some of its other benefits as well.
Post-Hurricane Marine Survey Findings:
A marine surveyor shared his experience working in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico following last year’s catastrophic hurricane season. The presentation covered some very interesting topics including vessel construction, hurricane preparedness, and insurance considerations when building and operating a boat in regions affected by hurricanes.
Marine Coatings:
The annual conference closed out with a discussion on marine coatings by representatives from two different paint manufacturers. Key takeaways from this segment included the importance of communication while managing customers’ expectations.
The Maine Built Boat’s Global Outreach Conference is a great event for anyone involved or interested in Maine’s rich boat building heritage. Stay tuned for information on the 2019 Maine Built Boats Global Outreach Conference including dates, price, and schedule of events.
