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Market researchers have noted that since the COVID-19 pandemic started, Americans have been spending more time on the water. And that has helped keep the recreational boating industry afloat. Liliya Anisimova has the story, narrated by Anna Rice
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Transcript/Script EnglishUSAGM Share
((TITLE: TV US Boating Industry – Anisimova
HEAD: Study: US Recreational Boating Gaining Steam Since Pandemic
TEASER: New study finds dramatic rise in industry and industry-related jobs
PUBLISHED AT: 06/26/2023 at 9:15am
BYLINE: Liliya Anisimova
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER: Aleksandr Bergan
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA
PLATFORMS: TV only
COPY EDITORS: KEnochs; Reifenrath
PRODUCER:
TRT: 2:23
VID APPROVED BY: KE
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE:))
((INTRO:))
[[Market researchers have noted that since the COVID-19 pandemic started, Americans have been spending more time on the water. And that has helped keep the recreational boating industry afloat. Liliya Anisimova has the story, narrated by Anna Rice.]]
((NARRATION))
Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S. in March 2020, many Americans — once they got over the initial scare — started to spend a lot more time outdoors than before the virus struck. This tendency has led to — among other things — a boom in the boating industry.
A recent study conducted by the National Marine Manufacturers Association found that from 2018 to 2023, the U.S. recreational boating industry has grown, posting a 36% increase in annual economic activity — from $170 billion dollars to $230 billion dollars — and a 14% jump in recreational marine industry-related jobs.
Florida tops the list of states with the most dramatic rise in recreational boating and industry-related jobs; California is second, and Texas third.
The U.S. capital, Washington, is up there as well. Chris Bloyer works at the Columbia Island Marina on the Potomac River.
((Chris Bloyer, Guest Services Inc. Director of Operations)) ((ENG))
“We have a current waitlist at the marina, and that waitlist has only gotten longer.”
((NARRATION))
But boating is not a cheap hobby. Beyond the price of the vessel itself, there's the cost of renting a slip — a place to park a boat. At the Columbia Island Marina, this can fall between 2 and 10 thousand dollars a year, based on length. Bloyer says business is good.
((Chris Bloyer, Guest Services Inc. Director of Operations)) ((ENG))
“We operate three marinas and six boathouses in the Washington metropolitan area, all on the Potomac River. And since even before the pandemic, we’ve seen growth as much as 10%-15% a year."
((NARRATION))
Many marina staff members work only in high season. Many are high school or college students who see this as a perfect summer job as well as an opportunity to learn a new skill and, as Bloyer says, a chance to spend the hot DC summers on the water.
((Chris Bloyer, Guest Services Inc. Director of Operations)) ((ENG))
“Being out, enjoying nature and being able to relax, getting away from the screens that everybody is so addicted to, to just experience beautiful weather…”
((NARRATION))
It’s a special kind of community, all built around like-minded people creating a neighborhood on the water.
((For Liliya Anisimova in Washington, Anna Rice, VOA News))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateJune 26, 2023 09:33 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English