One of the most pressing issues in the marine industry today is how to attract and retain young talent. Workforce development seminars are a common fixture of marine industry events, reflecting a growing concern about the industry’s ability to engage with the next generation. However, in my experience, many people in the industry publicly express… Read More...

A brief history of Maritime Maritime industry has a long and varied history, stretching back centuries and shaping the development of humanity in ways that are often overlooked by modern day scholars and citizens alike. Despite being often overshadowed by other industries, maritime has had numerous impacts on culture, economy and society throughout time.  The… Read More...

Why is ocean mysterious The ocean is a mysterious and thrilling force of nature that has captivated humans since ancient times. It covers most of the planet’s surface, yet its depths remain a mystery to us. It is home to spectacular and unusual creatures. It is also home to a vast array of unknowns, an… Read More...

Difference between SuperYacht and MegaYacht This question I have posed to many people, in which all give a uniquely different perspective. But here is an attempt to come up with an explanation of the difference: A SuperYacht is a large, luxury yacht that is typically used for recreational purposes and is usually owned by a… Read More...

Marketing in the recreational boating industry is a challenging and complex task. This is due to the fact that the market is highly competitive, dynamic and saturated – there are also many quality competitors in the space. A number of factors make it difficult to effectively market to recreational boaters. These include, the fragmented nature… Read More...

The age old question of what is better: a old boat or a new boat. Ive heard the story spun so many ways and personally I like the older boats for their style, just like old muscle cars, but below are some non-biased thoughts. Old boats are often thought of as being better than new… Read More...

How much does a boat cost? The lawyer in me wants to say “it depends”. Ive seen a 50ft sailboat go for nothing, hell the owner had to pay to get it removed and I’ve seen 25ft powerboats go for a million at the boat show.  The cost of a boat depends on a variety… Read More...

What do you think about when you hear the word treasure? A description of a loved one? A relic in a cave destined to be disturbed by Dr. Jones or The Lady Croft? A huge pile of gold crested by a sleeping Dragon? A chest full of doubloons hidden in a cave? All good answers,… Read More...

Sea Stories What makes a good sea story? From childhood, through school and into adulthood we see countless examples of nautical fiction. Nautical fiction, also known as naval, sea and maritime fiction, is defined as a genre of literature with a setting on or near the sea.  But can that be it? Would stories ranging… Read More...

Data is King One of the pioneers of the world wide web once told me that data is king. My time in the maritime space has justifiably validated that statement over the years. It has also been said that “to predict the future, you must know the past”. In this case that knowledge of the… Read More...

Digital Presence and Its Direct Correlation with Success There is a clear connection between the excellence of your website and brand image with the company’s overall success, as I have discovered via my work with SHIPSHAPE.PRO and MIDA (Marine Industry Digital Agency). According to statistics, 88% of all online purchasers looking for goods or services… Read More...

On Board for Success   Meet the minds behind United Marine Systems / SHIPSHAPE Whether you’re new to the marine industry, have a passion for the sea, or like to take your boat out once in a while for a quick ride of the waves, it’s always reassuring to know you have a support system… Read More...

Words of Wisdom from a Pro Diver We met Brian LeBlanc, a professional driver with 21 years of diverse diving experience. He has had four to five thousand dives within the last 9 plus years since he joined J&B Underwater Services as a partner. According to Brian the underwater world is mysterious yet calming thanks… Read More...

Buy Your First Boat In 7 Steps If you’ve read our articles or listened to our podcast, you must have felt an inkling of a desire to have a boat of your own and venture to one of those beautiful harbors. How expensive is it to buy a boat, you say? Relax, you don’t need… Read More...

11 Pitfalls Of Buying A Used Boat They say that the two most rewarding days of a boat owner’s life are the day he buys a boat and the day he sells it. We believe that is not a winning mentality. If purchased properly and taken care of, as you would your firstborn, a boat… Read More...

Gauging Seaworthiness Seaworthiness is a complicated measure – the context cannot be confined to whether a boat can stay afloat or not. It has multiple connotations across varying frames of reference ranging from the “safe to sail” hardware angle to the skill and competence of the crew manning a vessel. Being a mode of transport,… Read More...

There was a time when nations raced to launch the first man into space. With the buzz these days around renewables, alternative energy, and legislature like the FAST Electricity Act. one can deduce what the race is for this time. In the wake of the green revolution, the industry is on full throttle to transform… Read More...

The boating lifestyle has never been more in vogue than it is now, making boat owners (along with the products and services they require) the anchors of the marine economy. According to a recent survey by the NMMA: There are over 17,000,000 registered boats in the US and there are 35,277 marine businesses in North… Read More...