NEWS From BoatUS Boat Owners Association of The United States 880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304 BoatUS News Room at www.BoatUS.com Contact: Michael Sciulla, 703-461-2864, MSciulla@BoatUS.com BoatUS AND WEST MARINE FORM STRATEGIC ALLIANCE: West Marine Acquires BoatUS Retail Equipment Operation In January of 2003, West Marine acquired the BoatUS retail equipment operation, including 62 marine centers, mail-order and wholesale components. West Marine did not purchase Boat Owners Association of The United States or the boating related services offered to its over 625,000 dues paying Members.   West Marine promotes BoatUS Membership and its consumer services (Boat Finance, Marine Insurance, BoatUS Towing Services) in all BoatUS and West Marine stores. BoatUS and West Marine re-affirmed the value of their partnership to one another – and to Members and customers, stating their collective commitment of delivering “better than expected service”. This partnership is focused on the long term and will continue to provide Members and customers alike with the savings, service, and representation they have come to expect from BoatUS – the Association.   “This strategic alliance with West Marine has accelerated BoatUS Membership growth and has allowed BoatUS to concentrate its resources on what we do best - marine insurance, BoatUS Magazine, government representation, consumer advocacy, towing, boat financing - and working to make the waterways safer and cleaner for recreational boaters throughout the United States.” stated BoatUS Founder and Chairman, Richard Schwartz .   West Marine is more than just a successful retailer. They foster the education and learning of their Associates through training to deliver the best in customer service - and actively pursue other fundamental goals as stated in their company's Mission such as to "improve and protect marine habitats" and “to reduce our impact on the environment” through company-wide conservation efforts. West Marine actively encourages volunteerism and charitable contributions and has established a full-time grant program and Donations and Sponsorships department. In fact, West Marine has contributed more than $1 million in the past six years to help fund events, activities and organizations that support their mission. Several of West Marine's grant recipients can be found at www.westmarine.com/sponsorship .   BoatUS Members benefit from the alliance through the enhanced West Advantage Plus rewards program where members can earn and redeem frequent buyer points in over 400 West Marine and BoatUS store locations coast to coast. Members earn a 4% rebate when shopping at either a BoatUS or West Marine store, through either catalog or online store, making it the most rewarding program in the boating business.   Members use their BoatUS Membership card to receive discounts at BoatUS Cooperating Marinas. Over 825 BoatUS Cooperating Marinas offer exclusive discounts to BoatUS members on fuel, transient dockage or repairs and other services such as haul-out, launch ramp, pump-out and more. For more information on the BoatUS Cooperating Marina program click here. While on the water, Members use the BoatUS Membership card to verify their on-the-water or on-the-road towing service level. The BoatUS Membership card has an expiration date and also clearly shows the level of towing service that the Members has purchased. Per-incident on-the water service levels include $50, $150, $350, $500, and Unlimited. For more information on the BoatUS Towing program click here .     Questions: Please contact the BoatUS Membership Department at membership@boatus.com or West Marine Product Division at westadvantage@westmarine.com.

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