Governor Jerry Brown has signed legislation initiated by a coalition of San Diego superyacht businesses led by Todd Roberts, vice president of Marine Group Boat Works, and championed by assemblyman Martin Garrick.

Assembly Bill 2005 will improve commerce by easing bureaucratic regulations for large vessels entering ports in California. Under current law, non-commercial vessels greater than 300t have to comply with onerous and costly reporting requirements prior to entering Californian waters. The bill maintains reporting requirements, but allows vessels an expanded timeframe for compliance.

«Our coastal cities and towns rely on tourism, and the bill will make it much easier for California to roll out the welcome mat,» says Garrick. «With the America’s Cup already underway, we can expect an influx of large private yachts visiting California.

«My legislation will ensure those recreational and tourism dollars are spent here rather than ports in Mexico or neighbouring states.»

According to an economic impact study conducted in 2002 for the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, and the Broward Alliance, for every $1 spent on yacht repairs, another $7 goes into the local economy.

For Florida’s Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Broward Counties, superyacht owners contributed more than $576m to the local economy. (Superyacht Business, 16 October 2012)
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