Boating has always been about community—the common bonds and shared experiences that create a sense of fellowship for those of us who enjoy spending time on the water.
During this challenging time, it’s only natural that the boating community would reach out to help those in their communities who are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 outbreak—healthcare workers, first responders, and essential workers.
Boat companies and marine manufacturers from across the country are rising to the challenge—converting manufacturing to produce personal protective equipment (PPE), innovating manufacturing methods, and donating supplies and gear to help in the fight against COVID-19.
What’s more, these companies are also working to ensure their employees are safe and healthy while on the job. Each of these businesses is enforcing social distancing guidelines across their operations and continuously cleaning their facilities. Most have also implemented temperature checks, instituted alternate shifts and provided staff with PPE protection.
Browse our slideshow below to see some of the real life examples being produced from manufacturers across the country, and read on to learn more about the specifics behind what each boating business across the country is doing—from innovating scuba masks into BiPAP respirators, to 3D printing face shields and so much more...
Avalon & Tahoe
Avalon and Tahoe, which manufactures pontoon boats had employees volunteer their time to produce more than 2,000 face masks for local healthcare providers, first responders, police officers and firefighters in Michigan.
Brunswick Corporation
- Mercury Racing and Power Products: Using its 3D printing capabilities to make masks for first responders and healthcare professionals.
- Brunswick Boat Group: Donated 15,000 masks to first responders.
- Mercury Marine: Donated more than 11,000 masks to local hospitals and emergency responders.
- Marinco: Producing electrical equipment used in mobile hospitals and temporary emergency treatment centers.
- Whale: Producing and shipping over 120,000 hand pumps that power hand sanitizer stations.
- Sea Ray + Boston Whaler: Producing masks at its integrated manufacturing center on Sykes Creek.
Learn more about Brunswick Corporation's efforts during COVID-19.
Chaparral & Robalo
Chaparral and Robalo have built boats in Nashville, Georgia since 1976, and have donated hundreds of N95 masks to local nursing homes and hospitals; Chaparral's parent company, Marine Products Corporation, donated $100,000 to The Caring Place, to support its food distribution program during the pandemic.
Chris-Craft
Chris-Craft, which has been building boats since 1874, shifted its upholstery production to make face masks for frontline healthcare workers in the local Sarasota, Florida community.
Correct Craft
Correct Craft, a Florida-based marine manufacturer and its subsidiaries across the country have been developing innovative solutions to help fill the gap in the PPE shortage.
- Centurion & Supreme Boats:Made and donated approximately 1,000 face shields.
- Nautique:Produced over 10,000 masks, has cut material for 5,760 masks other companies are sewing and is on track to complete more than 11,500; donated extra PPE supplies to the Orlando Fire Department.
- Watershed Innovation:Partnered with Nautique to produce medical quality face shields.
- Park Boats:Donated N95 certified face masks and protective suits to health care facilities in Beaufort, North Carolina.
HydroHoist Boat Lifts
HydroHoist Boat Lifts converted plastic boat lifts into re-useable, sanitary pallets to transport PPE. These FDA approved, anti-viral and anti-bacterial pallets allowed PPE and medical supplies to ship safely around the country. Plus, HydroHoist's CEO personally donated 1,000 masks to nearby hospitals in Oklahoma.
Kicker Audio
Kicker Audio, known for their high-quality, weather-proof marine audio equipment, collaborated with several component suppliers and to date has delivered 10,000 masks to hospitals in Oklahoma and New York City. Kicker is also using the company’s 3D printer to make face shields and has distributed 100 so far to first responders and other frontline workers in Oklahoma.
Mantus Marine
Mantus Marine shifted its production of anchors and boating gear to focus on the critical shortage of PPE, with its founder being an emergency room doctor who witnessed the dire shortage firsthand, they took action immediately. In addition to supplying PPE for local hospitals they also produced intubating shields and 3D printing adaptors to convert SIAC Snorkel masks into BIPAP ventilator masks.
Midwest Industries
Midwest Industries, based in Iowa, manufactures ShoreLand’r Boat Trailers and ShoreStation Boat Lifts and has donated 1,200 masks. The company has also manufactured about 200 face masks per day for hospitals and the local community.
Pasadena Boat Works
Pasadena Boat Works, a marine dealership based in Maryland, donated 14,000 specialized N95 respirator masks to the Maryland State Health Department.
Tige Boats
Tige Boats, known for their high-performance wakesport boats, has been leading efforts to manufacture and donate PPE. They are producing 11,500 masks and face shields per week, donating PPEs locally and across the country to hospitals, first responders and essential workers.
Transhield
Transhield has made boat covers since 1994 in Indiana and found a unique way to help local hospitals in Indiana during this pandemic by designing, producing and donating 1,000 protective gowns, along with 60 washable privacy hospital curtains.
Viking
Viking builds sportfishing and motor yachts in New Jersey. Their engineering team helped fast track the creation of halos from 90 minutes to 20 minutes, by retooling their 3D printers to make 1,000 face shields. They also donated nearly 3,000 N95 respirator masks and 100 Tyvek suits, boots and hoods.
Volvo Penta
Volvo Penta, a global manufacturer of marine engines and power systems is donating PPE across the globe and is using a Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D printing system to develop ear guards for face shields to ease discomfort for healthcare workers and much more.
West Marine
West Marine, which operates boating supply and fishing retail stores used 3D printing technology to convert 1,200 Ocean Reef snorkel masks into respirators for California hospitals; West Marine also donated thousands of gloves, bungee cords for face masks, protective suits and face shields.
Learn More About American Boating Businesses Efforts During COVID-19
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