Press Releases

September 9, 2004, Edgewater, MD: The ABYC Foundation launched its capital giving campaign this month with a generous donation of $5,000 from a leading marine consumer retailer and longstanding ABYC member, West Marine, Inc. The donation is in recognition of ABYC's 50th Anniversary year and will be used primarily to support ABYC's efforts to strengthen industry technical education and training. West Marine has been a member of ABYC since 1991 and was quick to support the ABYC mission through a gift to the Foundation.

"The ABYC Foundation is thrilled that West Marine has made this significant contribution during ABYC's 50th Anniversary year. It is even more meaningful and timely as we launch our capital giving campaign this month," declared Skip Burdon, the Foundation's Secretary, and President of ABYC. "We are hoping that this is the first of many donations so that we can accrue the funds needed to improve the boating experience through industry standards, as well as through workforce technical education, training and research initiatives," remarked Burdon.

Chuck Hawley, Vice President of Technical Information for West Marine said, "The ABYC Foundation is an important contributor to our industry." "West Marine's mission is to be the best supplier of boating-related products and services by providing outstanding value and superior service to every customer. We actively promote boating safety, and ABYC, in part through the financial support of its Foundation, provides our industry with up-to-date safety-based standards, technical education and training, gives our new service centers' workforce opportunities for professional certifications, and, conducts and supports much-needed safety-related research," stated Hawley. "ABYC and its Foundation contribute to an enjoyable, safe boating experience for our customers — that's a mission we enthusiastically support!" concluded Hawley.

"As we hear reports of an economic rebound within our industry, it is the ABYC Foundation's hope that organizations and individuals would consider making a tax-deductible donation," said Burdon. "We look at each and every donation as an investment in the industry's future," Burdon continued. "Because ABYC and the Foundation is industry working together for a common good, we truly feel that the campaign is a noble cause worth supporting," Burdon concluded."

About the ABYC Foundation The ABYC Foundation is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization that was established in 1988 to provide financial support for special projects, scholarships, safety-related research, education and training programs and other initiatives that are considered important to our industry, but over and above budgetary capability of the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC). The Foundation's effort on behalf of ABYC impacts marine excellence across the board, and are designed to promote and foster boating safety. For more information on the ABYC Foundation or to make a donation, please visit www.abycinc.org.

About West Marine, Inc. West Marine, Inc., is the nation's largest specialty retailer of boating supplies and apparel, with more than 345 stores in 38 states, Puerto Rico and Canada, and more than $600 million in annual sales. The Company's catalog and Internet site offer more than 50,000 products - far more than any competitor — and the convenience of being able to exchange Internet purchases at West Marine retail stores. The Company's Port Supply division is the country's largest wholesale distributor of marine equipment, serving boat manufacturers, marine services, commercial vessel operators and government agencies. For more information on West Marine's products and store locations, or to start shopping, visit www.westmarine.com or call 1-800-BOATING (1-800-262-8464).