Preparation for Dealer Pilot Program Continues
With the commencement of the Dealer Pilot Program rapidly nearing, Marine University is continuing to work with the Dealer Committee and participating dealers to tailor the Boater101 Program to meet the needs of dealerships.

• Training Materials Finalized
  With the assistance of several Dealer Committee members, Marine University has finalized the Dealer training materials. Instructors will receive a training manual, a CD with interactive PowerPoint and Boater101 Instructor polo shirt to facilitate their classroom courses. These materials will accompany the brochures, html email, Boater101 Boating Safety Manuals, Boater101 flag, T.V. Series and instructional video to complete the package of materials provided to the Pilot Program participants.

• Dealers Participate in Instructor Training
  Instructors from six of the locations participating in the Dealer Pilot Program have been trained to offer the Boater101 course. Representing a wide variety of consumers and locations, American Offshore Marina (US Marine), Boathouse Discount Superstore (Crestliner), Harbor One (US Marine), Hi Lift Marina (Formula) and SunDance Marine – two locations (Wellcraft) are now prepared to offer Boater101 at their facilities.

• Nine Dealers Committed to Dealer Pilot Program
  In addition to the six dealers already mentioned, three other dealers have committed to participating in the Dealer Pilot. Five Star Marine (US Marine and Four Winns) and Marina One (Formula) will receive their dealer training this week. MarineMax Stuart (Boston Whaler) has also committed to being involved with the Pilot Program. Marine University is continuing to solicit the involvement of Boat World of Florida (Glastron).

• First Class to Begin April 14th. The first Boater101 class is scheduled for April 14th at 6:00 PM at SunDance Marine, Pompano Beach. Additional classes are scheduled to be held by both American Offshore (April 22nd, 5:30 PM) and Harbor One (May 20th, 5:30 PM). Marine University is working to finalize the schedule of classes for the remaining participants.

• Web Site Under Development Marine University has completed the design of its latest addition to its family of web sites. The Boat Dealer Academy web site can be viewed at www.boatdealeracademy.com. Formula’s web developers are currently completing functionality allowing potential students to sign up for a class at each dealer location. The web site will be finalized before the start of classes on April 14th.

• Volvo Penta Support Minimizes Dealer Pilot Program Materials Costs
  Clint Moore, president of Volvo Penta has committed to sponsoring the Dealer Pilot Program materials. Volvo Penta’s contribution will minimize program material costs incurred by Marine University-certified dealers in offering Boater101.

• INAMAR Provides Insurance Discounts to Boater101 Graduates
  Establishing a partnership to further boating safety education on a national level, Ray Stahl, president of INAMAR has committed to providing insurance discounts to Boater101 graduates. INAMAR insurance agents in the South Florida region will also be provided with a list of participating dealerships in order to refer clients to those dealers to receive boating safety education.

Boater101 At Palm Beach Boat Show
At the request of Show Management, Marine University participated in the Kids Fishing Clinic at the 2004 Palm Beach Boat Show. Increasing the exposure of the Boater101 Program, Marine University taught knot-tying to kids and parents, raffled off life jackets provided by the MIASF and surveyed the show attendees regarding their interest in boating safety education courses.