Start planning your offshore trip because Nov. 1 is right around the corner.
Costa Rica will officially be reopening to visitors from all 50 US states starting November 1. However, Costa Rican authorities noted that requirements to enter Costa Rica, such as a negative PCR coronavirus test, remain unchanged.
Hatteras Village Offshore — It is with great sadness that we, the tournament committee for the Hatteras Village Offshore Open (HVOO), must cancel this year’s tournament which was scheduled for May 12th – 16th. On April 21st, Dare County announced the staged entry of non-resident property owners beginning May 4th and extended our “Stay Home – Stay Healthy” order until May 22, 2020. No word has yet to be given on when visitors will be permitted to access Dare County. We wish we had better news to share but realize that we are all having to make sacrifices during this unprecedented time.
To our participants, we are going to miss seeing you all, those who have been fishing the HVOO for years and those who were going to be joining us for the first time. We will be doing everything in our power to make next year’s tournament the best yet and trust that you will come back and join us!
To our sponsors, your involvement throughout the years is appreciated more than you know. It is through your support that we are able to fund scholarships for Hatteras Village residents to further their education and also make donations to many of the other non-profit organizations here on Hatteras Island. We will be reaching out to you each individually to discuss options.
We hope that everyone will be able to get back out on the water soon. There are some other great tournaments coming up in the North Carolina Governor’s Cup and we wish everyone calm seas and tight lines.
For more information, please visit https://www.hvoo.org
American Sportfishing Association — For more than 80 years, the American Sportfishing Association has created a legacy of working hard to ensure our industry’s future. Nowhere is this more evident than at ICAST, our industry’s trade show, where lasting friendships and business partnerships have been forged and fostered.
However, given the ongoing stay-at-home orders and the desire to keep the health and safety of everyone in our recreational fishing family first in the decision-making process, ASA’s board of directors made the decision to cancel the physical ICAST Show that was scheduled for July 14-17, 2020, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
Two weeks ago, we asked for your patience as we strived to make the best business decisions we could on behalf of our exhibitors, members, staff and all our show attendees. Cancelling this year’s show was the only decision that could be made when considering everyone’s well-being and the impact the pandemic is having on the sportfishing industry and our economy.
Despite cancelling our in-person show, we are committed to keeping all of us connected as a global community this July. As the largest sportfishing industry trade show in the world, we look forward to producing ICAST 2020 Online, our version of a “virtual trade show,” that will provide a wide variety of tools and a wealth of information that you’ve come to expect from us. We will share more with you very soon!
We ask for a little more patience as we shift gears. Please allow us to reach out to each of our exhibitors to discuss their options, including a full refund if desired.
There is no doubt that we are in unchartered waters, but we are confident that we will get through this together and stronger than ever! As we always have.
From all of us at the ASA, please stay safe and stay healthy.
Glenn Hughes
President
April 8, 2020 — The 35th annual Palm Beach International Boat Show (PBIBS) – set for May 14 -17 along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach – has been postponed until further notice.
“Following Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ executive order issuing a statewide stay-at-home directive through April 30, the Palm Beach International Boat Show has been postponed until further notice. We fully support the decision as the health and safety of our visitors, community, exhibitors, staff and vendors is our top priority.
We continue to assess the situation and will provide a detailed update on the show’s status on April 17. With that said, it’s everyone’s business to have a healthy economy. The marine industry is an important staple of the Florida economy, accountable for over $23.3 billion.
The Palm Beach International Boat Show has a total state-wide economic impact of $682.7 million and supports 4,394 full-time Florida jobs. We are all eager to get back on board and help to continue contributing as a major statewide economic driver.
We wish to thank our City of West Palm Beach officials, our Exhibitors and the boating community for their ongoing support as we continue to power through these uncharted waters.”
—Andrew Doole, President, Informa Markets U.S. Boat Shows and George Gentile, President of the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County
Check back to the website for updates on www.pbboatshow.com.
Gamefish World Cup — Despite our best intentions to host the first leg of the Worldwide Gamefish World Cup, due to the virtual shutting down for COVID-19 and early lockdowns in countries such as the DR, Bahamas, New Zealand and states in the USA such as Florida closing down public boat ramps and now also in lockdown, the first leg of the Gamefish World Cup on the 11 and 12 April is canceled.
We will refund in full by wire transfer all entrants entry fees or hold them for the second leg at their choice. The second leg is due to be fished over Memorial Day weekend. Please refer to www.gamefishworldcup.com and Facebook for further information.
Photo courtesy Top Shelf Marine
Top Shelf Marine — Top Shelf Marine Products is humbled and thankful to all of the medical professionals, first responders, and everyone involved in the COVID19 war. Your selfless commitment is awe-inspiring.
Photo courtesy Top Shelf Marine
We converted some of our tooling and production capability to manufacture Face Shields for anyone fighting the war on COVID19 that may need one. We are selling these at our cost and donating to anyone with a legitimate need that can’t afford one.
Anyone that needs a face shield please call 386-410-6410.
Please be safe, follow the CDC Guidelines and we’ll all be boating, fishing and diving before you know it.
Top Shelf Marine Products |386-410-6410 | info@topshelfmarine.com |www.topshelfmarine.com |
Photo courtesy of Viking Yachts
April 1, 2020 New Gretna, New Jersey — In a special letter on the 56th anniversary of the company, Viking President and CEO Pat Healey updated customers, dealers, vendors and the general public about the boatbuilder’s operating status and strategy going forward during the Coronavirus pandemic.
“Our 56 th anniversary serves as a fitting reminder of our resilience,” Healey said in a statement distributed through the Viking and Valhalla Boatworks e-newsletters. “We have endured many hardships (recessions, storms and the Luxury Tax) since my father Bill and Uncle Bob founded the company in 1964. We build boats – and nothing is going to stop us from doing what we love to do. There is no question. We’ll get through this and come out stronger.”
To mitigate the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), protect the health and safety of its employees and adhere to state and federal guidelines, Viking effective March 19 suspended manufacturing operations for a 14-day period at its New Gretna and Mullica facilities. Viking planned to call its workers back on April 6, but recent developments in the fight against the Coronavirus (particularly President Trump’s extension of the social-distancing) prompted the company to reassess its date to begin manufacturing operations again.
The issue will be discussed on Monday, April 6.
Photo courtesy of Viking Yachts
“Our commitment to our customers, dealers and vendors is stronger than ever,” Healey said. During this period, Viking has been carrying out day-to-day operations as Viking staff attend to the needs of
customers, dealers and vendors. Design and Engineering, Sales and Marketing, Customer Service and other key departments continue to build a better boat every day remotely. The company’s operations in Florida remain operational. This includes the Viking Yacht Service Center in Riviera Beach, Florida, as well as the southern arms of the Viking subsidiaries Atlantic Marine Electronics and Palm Beach Towers.
Throughout its history, Viking has prided itself on its commitment to the health, safety and general well-being of its employees. Viking has for many years operated an in-house medical services facility for all employees, which has been on call every day to attend to the needs of employees and their families in this unprecedented time.
The Viking family extends beyond its boatbuilding operations into the communities of southern New Jersey. To support regional medical institutions, Viking has donated a total of 2,650 of the 3M N95 respirator masks as well as 100 Tyvek suits, boots and hoods. “We’re all in this together,” said Healey. “We must do our part to ‘flatten the curve’ so we can return to the boating and fishing lifestyle we all love.”
About the Viking Yacht Company: Founded by brothers Bill and Bob Healey in 1964 on the banks of the Bass River in New Gretna, New Jersey, Viking has become the leading semi-custom production builder of sportfishing and motor yachts in the worlds, with roughly 5,000 boats delivered. The Viking fleet consists of yachts from 38 to 93 feet, and the company recently launched a lineup of outboard-powered center consoles.
A vertically integrated company where 90 percent of every boat is built in-house, Viking operates several subsidiaries, including Palm Beach Towers and Atlantic Marine Electronics. Viking, driven by the mantra “to build a better boat every day,” looks forward to continuing to serve the Viking family with industry-leading products, dealers and customer service.
For more information visit vikingyachts.com and valhallaboatworks.com.
Photo courtesy Paul Mann
Manns Harbor, NC — For 32 years, Paul Mann has stood at the helm of Paul Mann Custom Boats (PMCB) with his wife, Robin, by his side. Together, with their exceptionally talented employees, they’ve built magnificent custom sportfishing boats. Throughout the years, Paul has poured his blood, sweat and passion along with his heart and soul into every boat he’s built. He doesn’t know any other way. And now, looking at the possibility of multiple surgeries to correct painful neck issues, Paul and Robin have decided to put boat building on hold and direct their focus on Paul’s health.
“This has been an agonizing decision for me and Robin,” noted Paul. “We’ve got current builds to begin and great prospects for the future, we’ve got wonderful employees, some I’ve worked with more than 20 years–but right now, I have to focus on my health.”
Once Hull 140 and several refurbish jobs are complete, PMCB will take a few weeks to get their facilities cleaned up, organized and looking good before they close the doors for an undisclosed amount of time. They anticipate this happening around the first of June.
“I have all the confidence in the world in my people and their ability to build boats, but I manage the shop and that’s what my customers expect,” says Paul. “I’ve always been a hands-on builder and when they contract for a Paul Mann custom boat, they expect Paul Mann to be at the helm on a day-to-day-basis.”
Recognized throughout the marine and woodworking industry for award winning craftsmanship, Paul Mann Custom Boats, in Manns Harbor NC, has built more than 40 yachts from 52 to 80+ feet LOA. The first hull launched more than 30 years ago, is still active in sportfishing today and serves as a testament to Paul Mann’s “hands-on” dedication to every aspect of the design build process.
Paul’s decision was heavily swayed by the fact that at some point he just wasn’t going to be able to continue working at the level he is accustomed to without this surgery. Instead of working until he was forced to stop, he wanted the decision to be on his own terms and in a way that is respectable to his employees and customers.
The fate of their employees was most important to Paul and Robin as they debated the future. “They’re good people and we truly care about their future,” said Robin. “We know they will be in high demand. The economy will bounce back after this virus and that’s what we’re counting on.”
Paul Mann has not only built custom sportfishing boats for thirty-two plus years – he has built a legacy. If the saying is right, and home really is where your heart is, then Paul has made a home out of every yacht he’s built. As Paul recuperates, he and Robin look forward to keeping up with his customers through e-mail and posts on social media. “We want to hear from you and look forward to reading about your sportfishing adventures,” notes Paul, who closes with, “And when I’m ready to go–I’ll go again!”
