Vesper Marine said in a statement that it appointed Total Marine Supply as its sales rep in the Great Lakes region. Vesper is a New Zealand-based manufacturer of safety products, including smartAIS technology.
“Total Marine Supply represents the best marine equipment manufacturers across a range of products,” said Jason Young, Vesper Marine vice president of sales for the Americas, in the statement. “Their understanding of the channel will be a key driver for expanding market share and sales growth for Vesper Marine in this region.”
Young said his company is experiencing “growing demand” from commercial service vessels and recreational boaters from the United States and Canada. Total Marine Supply will work with distributors and dealers, OEM boatbuilders, aftermarket boatyards and marinas in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.
Unlike ordinary AIS technology that only sends and receives AIS signals, Vesper’s smartAIS transponders have built-in safety alarms that warn of potential collisions, dragging anchor or a man overboard. With Wi-Fi capability, users can control smartAIS from anywhere on board using a smartphone or tablet.
Vesper has worked with the America’s Cup fleet in San Francisco and the Volvo Ocean Race.
“Our customer base includes cruising and racing sailboats, powerboats, commercial workboats and the ‘lakers’ — iron-ore shipping vessels,” said Tim Loftus, founder of Total Marine Sales, in the statement. “We are very connected to the boating community and actively support local dealers. We are excited about our partnership with Vesper Marine and its unique smartAIS technology.”
