Since 2006, the Marine Trades Association of New Jersey Foundation has awarded more than $35,000 in scholarships to students seeking to begin careers in the boating industry. The application period for this year’s round of MTA/NJ scholarships is now open, according to executive director Melissa Danko.

The MTA/NJ Family Scholarships are available to students who are enrolled in marine trades vocational programs. In addition to the scholarships, the foundation provides an additional $10,000 toward marine education and training for members, including training reimbursements, industry certification courses, and education and training in the classroom and on the job.

The association also awards a half scholarship ($10,950) for the Marine Service Technology Program at the Automotive Training Center in Pennsylvania. This scholarship is open to any student interested in pursuing a career in the boating industry and meets the criteria outlined.

The scholarships are primarily funded by MTA/NJ members through fundraising events and raffles held throughout the year. The group also produces the Jersey Shore Boat Sale & Expo in September in Lakewood and the New Jersey Boat Sale & Expo in February in Edison. MTA/NJ also endorses NMMA’s Atlantic City Boat Show.

Click here for more about the MTA/NJ scholarships.

MTAs actively represent members in state legislative and regulatory matters, and as such, the Ohio Marine Trades Association is opposing a bill in the state legislature that would repeal the current requirement that boats must have a “spotter” when participating in tow sports.

Under a bill now in the Ohio House, a boat with a rearview mirror would be an acceptable replacement for a person serving as the spotter, which is required.

“We oppose this action for obvious safety reasons,” says OMTA president Michelle Burke. “It’s unreasonable, if not manifestly dangerous, to have a boat driver watching a skier or wakeboarder in a mirror instead of constantly looking ahead, as any safe skipper should do for other boat traffic, aids to navigation and more.”

In addition, Burke says the bill doesn’t take into account the risk levels on different bodies of water and at different times of the season, and obviously ignores the skill level of the person being towed.

Meanwhile, two big shows are underway. The Discover Boating Atlantic City Boat Show opened its five-day run yesterday in the Atlantic City Convention Center. The sold-out exhibit hall is showcasing more than 450 new boats, as well as a variety of crowd-pleasing activities, from saltwater fishing seminars to sand castle art.

On Florida’s west coast, the Bonita Springs Boat Show, produced by the Marine Industries Association of Southwest Florida & Tampa Bay, runs through Sunday. The show includes 30 of southwest Florida’s major dealers exhibiting nearly 100 boat lines, plus a variety of accessory and service exhibits.

Among the show’s features is Coastal Angler Magazine’s Capt. Terry, who will share fishing tips at daily seminars. A “Know Before You Go” exhibit by MIASFTB is part of the organization’s year-round boating safety campaign, which includes website and social media materials, printed materials and local boaters presenting basic boating tips, advice on boating gear, navigation info, and more.