Maritime trade group formed

By Glenda S. Jenkins, News-Leader

The Nassau County Ocean Highway and Port Authority has approved funding to establish a legally registered maritime trade association.

Board members voted unanimously Wednesday to allocate "an amount not to exceed $4,000" for the creation of the Port of Fernandina Maritime Association.

"It's all about getting people together who have a vested interest in the maritime industry to exchange information," Vice Chair Danny Leeper said. "What I'm looking for is a group of people who have interest in port-related activities," including banks, environmental engineering firms, tugboat operators, harbor pilots and other industries with directly - or indirectly - related activities.

Funds will cover fees for an attorney to legally register the association as a 501(c)6, to create bylaws and move ahead with the election of officers. Funding will also cover fees for an accountant to draft a budget.

The maritime association will play a role in strategic planning. As JaxPort creates more jobs, "It will have a regional impact," Leeper said. "We need to brace for it and Nassau County needs to plan for it."

Representatives from various maritime businesses and organizations attended the meeting to voice their support for the association.

"I think we really need to move on it," said Frank Cueto, manager for Seaboard Marine's North Florida region. The benefits of a maritime association would "extend far beyond our time here to bring business to the port."

"It's needed," said Bill Kavanaugh, representing the Cumberland Sound Pilot Association. "It would be very helpful to have a conduit of information that would flow back and forth" between member organizations.

gjenkins@fbnewsleader.com

Story created Jan 14, 2008 - 09:49:14 PST.