// INDUSTRY NEWS competitors’ faces, some of them still kids, makes it all worth the marine industry’ s effort to participate. ABYC should be commended for leading this charge and bringing other manufacturers to this great event.”
Dave Broadbent, ABYC senior director of business development, is the new technical committee chair for the Marine Service Technology category.
“ This year’ s national competition was the best since ABYC reengaged with SkillsUSA,” said Broadbent in the release.“ I can’ t thank our partners enough for their support of such an important event for our industry. Showcasing marine service technology alongside other skilled trades is a great way to build awareness and grow our workforce. Next year will be even better.”
2026 SkillsUSA National Winners— Marine Service Technology High School Division
Gold: James Reynolds, Hart County High School, Hartwell, Ga.
Silver: Garrett Reeves, Hollenstein Career and Technology Center, Fort Worth, Texas
Bronze: Cole Stefano, Bethlehem AVTS, Bethlehem, Pa.
College / Postsecondary Division Gold: Colin Colbert, Pinellas Technical College ― Clearwater, Clearwater, Fla. Silver: Blaine Simantel, Mitchell Technical
College, Mitchell, S. D. Bronze: Aiden Bauch, Alexandria Technical
& Community College, Alexandria, Minn.
The SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference recognizes the nation’ s top career and technical education students, with more than 7,000 participants competing in 115 contests across skilled trades, manufacturing, transportation, health care, hospitality and more.
TowBoatUS Debuts in St. Marys River, Michigan
St. Marys River, a premier fishing destination on the U. S.-Canadian border with Ontario, now has professional on-water assistance available for boaters and anglers with the opening of TowBoatUS
St. Marys River. Owned and operated by U. S. Coast Guard-licensed Capt. Kris Mills, this port is located on the 74-mile international waterway connecting Lake Superior to Lake Huron.
“ Boating is supposed to be a great experience, and I care about helping boaters on the river when they happen to run into the unfortunate experience of breaking down or needing help while out on the water, said Mills in a news release.“ I love being able to help put customers at ease when I show up and want them to return to land safely without their boat damaged.”
TowBoatUS St. Marys River operates a 21-foot Slickcraft boat in Barbeau, Michigan, according to the organization. The new port is part of the nation’ s largest towing fleet, which has more than 330 TowBoatUS locations and more than 630 red response vessels that provide 24 / 7 on-water towing, soft ungrounding, battery jump and fuel drop-off services to recreational boaters.
Boat Owners Association of The United States( BoatUS) offers on-water towing memberships for $ 130 / year for freshwater and $ 215 / year for saltwater. In addition to a BoatUS Towing Membership, members also receive more than 25 valuable BoatUS benefits including a subscription to award-winning BoatUS Magazine, free DSC-VHF radio registration and more.
To request on-water assistance, boaters can call the BoatUS toll-free 24 / 7 Dispatch Center at 800-391-4869, download the free BoatUS App, which connects boaters to the closest local towing captain, call TowBoatUS St. Marys River directly at( 616) 914-8627 or hail on VHF radio Ch. 16.
Yamaha Rightwaters Marks 7 Years of Conservation Leadership
Yamaha Rightwaters marked its seventh anniversary on June 8, World Oceans Day 2026.
Launched in 2019, Yamaha Rightwaters continues to support programs that make significant progress in keeping waterways clean and promoting sustainability for generations to come. Several key metrics over the course of the last
12 months include:
More than 264.2 tons of debris removed from U. S. lakes, rivers and coastal waters through collaborations with clean up organizations including Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful ®, Keep the Golden Isles Beautiful, the Conch Republic Marine Army and the Chattahoochee River Keeper
More than 155 million oysters successfully re-established in critical marine environments across the U. S. through support for the Billion Oyster Project ®, the UGA Marine Extension Program, Mobile Baykeeper, Georgia Southern University
31,752 students engaged in research and restoration through support for organizations and programs including the International Gamefish Association’ s“ Passports to Fishing,” the Chattahoochee River Keeper’ s floating classroom, Wildlife Forever ®, Bonefish and Tarpon Trust ®, The University of Georgia ®, The Georgia Institute of Technology ®, and Georgia Southern University
20,512 invasive lionfish removed during the Emerald Coast Open 2026
224,000 acres of coastal land restored through relationships with organizations including Ducks Unlimited ®, Coastal Conservation Association Maryland, Mobile Baykeeper and Bonefish and Tarpon Trust ®
“ Yamaha Rightwaters reflects our long-term commitment to protecting the waters that make boating and fishing possible,” said Joshua Grier, Sustainability Program Manager, Yamaha U. S. Marine Business Unit, in a news release.“ From habitat restoration to recycling initiatives and conservation partnerships, every effort is designed to preserve marine environments for future generations. Healthy waterways are critical not only to the ecosystems themselves, but to the future of recreational boating and fishing.”
www. boatingindustry. com june 2026
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