February 09, 2004, Fort Lauderdale, FL: The Center for Environmental Education and Research, Inc. (the Center) and CEERI announced today the receipt of a marine industry grant in the amount of $250,000 from the Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC) Foundation’s Board of Directors. This grant will fund the continuing development of www.Boater101.com, the Center’s online e-Learning web site.

This grant will be used to provide a program that meets curriculum standards in all interested U.S. states, a proactive marine industry response to mandatory, state-required boating safety education. The Center’s focus will be the inclusion of the Boater101 Program in school systems nationwide.

Plans for expansion of the Boater101 web site include the addition of features focusing on marine industry careers; an interactive yachting crewmember journal from ships in domestic and foreign waters; environmental issues; resources for graduates of the Boater101 safety course; and the involvement of boat manufacturers and dealers in community outreach efforts.

In the official grant notice from Kimberly Bors, OMC Foundation Chairperson, CEERI was congratulated “for demonstrating a commitment to educating the next generation of boater.” CEERI will be establishing a permanent legacy acknowledging the former employees of the OMC and keeping the organization in the forefront of boating education.

Susan Engle, President of CEERI, expressed gratitude for the support of the OMC Foundation. “CEERI’s plans for nationwide exposure of the Boater101 program can grow to the next level thanks to this generous grant. We are excited to put our plan into action.”

CEERI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to promote boating, water safety, environmental awareness, and marine careers to the public through educational programming. CEERI and its sponsors Brunswick, Formula, Genmar, KeyBank USA, MIASF, NMMA, OMC Foundation, Starmark, and Volvo Penta have been supporting programs such as Boater101, the Clean Marina Program and SWIM101 in an effort to expose communities, families and students to the positive aspects of the marine industry. To learn more about CEERI or its programs, contact CEERI at (954) 730-6889 or visit www.CEERI.org.