ALEXANDRIA, Va., January 7, 2010 – Boaters can forget the snow and start making plans for their summer boating vacation with a little help from the BoatUS Services Locator . The online tool at www.BoatUS.com/ServiceLocator uses Google Maps to show locations of marinas that offer money-saving discounts on fuel and transient slips.  A new trip-planning enhancement is the addition of NOAA nautical charts that overlay onto the Locator’s Google Map, allowing boaters to see bottom depths, hazards and navigational aids all on one screen.  This new feature is provided by Geowake, a nautical mapping solutions provider.

The BoatUS Services Locator also shows locations of TowBoatUS and Vessel Assist on-the-water towing ports with contact information, West Marine retail store locations, and places where boaters can borrow a child’s life jacket at no cost through the BoatUS Foundation Kid’s Life Jacket Loaner program.

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About BoatUS:

BoatUS – Boat Owners Association of The United States – is the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters providing over half a million members with government representation, programs and money saving services.  For membership information visit www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628.

About Geowake:

Geowake is a pioneering startup leading the market with nautical mapping solutions for web site, iGoogle, iPhone or blog experience across web and mobile platforms.  For more information, visit www.Geowake.com .