What is MTAM?                                                             Click here for MTAM Legislative History

The Marine Trades Association of Maryland (MTAM), Founded in 1972, is comprised of nearly 400 marine related businesses. We are a non-profit trade organization dedicated to promoting the recreational marine industry and the preservation of the waterways on which our businesses rely.

A Message from the MTAM President

Welcome to the Website for the Marine Trades Association of Maryland (the "MTAM"). The MTAM is an association of hundreds of responsible businesses involved in all aspects of the marine trades and Maryland's boating business, from marinas, boat dealers and boatyards to maritime attorneys, insurance brokers, banks, publications and restaurants. The members of MTAM share a common goal of promoting Maryland's boating industry through sound business practices, respect for the marine environment upon which we all rely, promoting the safety of our customers and employees, and encouraging reasonable and informed approaches to legislation and regulations affecting boaters and the marine trades.

Listed below are the Officers and Directors of MTAM, they are your neighbors and co-workers and we hope that you will use them as a resource as well as the MTAM Executive Director, Susan Zellers.

We hope this Website will be a useful resource to marine businesses, boaters, and others interested in Maryland boating. We welcome your comments, questions, suggestions, and support.

Regards,
Rob Jabin, President

Officers and Directors for 2009

Officers:
President Treasurer Secretary Vice President – AA Vice President – BaltCo Vice President – EaS Vice President – SoMD Vice President – UB Past President		Rod Jabin, Bert Jabins Yacht Yard Scott Tinkler, Port Annapolis Marina Matt Evans, Council Baradel Kosmerl & Nolan Nancy Bray, Ferry Point Marina Brian Schneider, Tradewinds Marina Tom Turner, Hinckley Company Chris Washburn, Washburn’s Boatyard Ronda Bolinger, Outstanding Marine Jay Dayton, Avon Dixon Agency

Directors:
Rick Boulay		Annapolis Boat Show
Robert Carobrese		Sunrise Floating Docks
Philip Conner
Jed Dickman		Herrington Harbour South
George Dunnigan		Interlux Paint
Frank Gary		Walczak Yacht Brokerage
Andrew Gibbs		Bellingham Marine
David Kolb		Henry Murray Agency
Ken Long		Bohemia Bay Yacht Harbor
Kim Madigan		Scott Financial
Garrett Pensell		Tidewater Havre de Grace Marina
Ted Ruegg		Bonnier Marine Group
Jim Ruscoe		Anchorage Marina
John Stefancik		Chesapeake Bay Magazine
Deb Smith		Sarles Marina
Scott Tinkler		Port Annapolis Marina
Scott Harvey		Clarks Landing
David Williams		MESCO
Gary Williams		Osprey Composites
Jonathan Jones		Haven Harbour Marina

Legislative History of Marine Trades Association of Maryland

One of the most significant benefits to membership in MTAM is our active input and participation into proposed legislation and regulations that affect boating in Maryland. MTAM has had a tremendous affect on making sure that Maryland waters remain some of the best waters in the world to recreate or in which to do business.

• 2007 Session:
  MTAM worked to pass a bill that requires a State task force to study the boating industry. The task force will look at economic development incentives for marine businesses, ways of extending the stay of the visiting boater, the permit process and other issues that impact the growth potential of the Maryland maritime industry.
  
  
• 2006 Session:
  MTAM defeated a bill that would have imposed a “lemon law” on all boat sales. MTAM recognized that this would have been detrimental to the growth of our industry because of the many manufacturers involved in the end product boat. In addition, we worked to defeat a bill that would have required life jackets to be worn at all times by all boaters. MTAM worked to support additional funding to the Tourism Department in Maryland reminding the legislator that some tourists visit Maryland by boat.
  
  
• 2005 Session:
  The Association passed a bill legalizing 8’6” boat trailers in Maryland. Prior to this piece of legislation, it was illegal to drive 8’6” trailers on Maryland’s secondary roads where most boat ramps are located.
  
  
• 2004 Session:
  MTAM defeated a $50 fee on the use of any commercial boat slips in the State of Maryland. This “slip tax” would been paid only by those boaters who kept their boats in marinas. MTAM argued that it was an inequitable tax. MTAM also defeated a proposal to do away with the trade-in allowance and a proposal to tax services at 5% as goods are taxed. MTAM passed a bill that will allow an out of state resident who purchases a boat in Maryland to stay for at least 90 days, thereby utilizing our yards for commissioning.
  
  
• 2003 Session:
  MTAM worked to defeat a bill that would done away with the 1.2% of the excise tax that the boat dealer currently keeps to offset the administrative costs in collecting and remitting the tax.
  
  
• 2002 Session:
  Modified the State Boat Act to provide out-of-state boaters to recreate on Maryland’s waters for 90 days each year without the need to title the vessel or to pay the excise tax. Further modifications allowed for an out-of-state boat to remain in Maryland for repairs or if held for sale by a dealer.
  
  
• 2001 Session:
  MTAM supported legislation altering the definition of “abandoned vessel” to make it easier for commercial and private interest to remove boats from certain properties.