Category: news
Congress Advances Key Boating Safety Priorities
Originally posted by BoatingIndustry.com.
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Elijah E. Cummings Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2020 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.
National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) played a critical role in shaping the bill—which includes key provisions that would improve the safety of the millions of Americans who take to the water each year.
The bill includes a provision that would mandate the wear of engine cut-off devices for operators of boats under 26 feet while underway—a critical safety measure that law enforcement, manufacturers, and the recreational boating community strongly support. This measure builds upon the important steps taken two years when Congress required manufacturers to install these devices in most boats under 26 feet, which is something many boating manufacturers have been doing for years.
Additionally, the bill would grant the Coast Guard “equivalency” authority—allowing the Coast Guard to streamline approval of the recreational boating industry construction standards and new technologies, all while maintaining the highest level of safety.
Although the House had passed similar legislation in 2019, the U.S. Senate was unable to reach an agreement at that time. House and Senate leaders have spent the past several months negotiating the new agreement, which passed in the House last week and is expected to move forward in the Senate.
4th of July Fireworks
The 4th of July is fast approaching. 2020 has been a different experience than we are used to, but there are still some places to see fireworks this year. Here is a list:
July 2, 2020
Fort Payne, AL | Fireworks display only (festival, vendors canceled) | Source: timesfreepress.com
July 3, 2020
Chattanooga Lookouts | Game starts at 6:15 pm (ET) | Fireworks following the game | Source: facebook.com
LaFayette, GA | 5:00 – 10:00 pm (ET) | Fireworks display only. Freedom Celebration canceled | Source: timesfreepress.com
July 4, 2020
Athens Regional Park | 9:30 pm (ET) | Source: visitchattanooga.com
Athens Regional Park will be hosting a high-altitude show that can be seen from an expanded area around the park in order to ensure social distancing. Due to the nature of the show and the potential for a heavy traffic, the park will be closed to traffic and people all day on July 4th, including during the firework show. Think of this as a drive-in theater for fireworks!
Cottonport Marina | Source: facebook.com
Harbor Lights Marina | 9:00 pm (ET) | Source: facebook.com
This list is provided for informational purposes only. Event dates and times are subject to change. Please check source links for updated information.

Boat Show THIS WEEKEND and more!
Erwin Marine Sales has all the best boat brands on display at the Chattanooga Convention Center now through Sunday, February 9, 2020. Don’t miss the Chattanooga Boat Show is THIS WEEKEND!
Get BOAT SHOW ONLY DEALS and check out our “Clear The Decks” Sales Event!

And mark your calendar for these upcoming events!
Miami Boat Show
February 13-17, 2020
Miami Marine Stadium Park Miami, FL
Open House
February 22, 2020
28601 U.S. Highway 431, Grant, AL
Spring Boat Show
April 18-19, 2020
3001 Kings Point Road, Chattanooga, TN
Blessing of The Fleet
May 3, 2020
Harrison Bluff on Chickamauga Lake, Chattanooga, TN
Weather Class – TBD
More information coming soon.
Open House
February 22, 2020
3001 Kings Point Road, Chattanooga, TN
Free Locking Class
March 21, 2020
3001 Kings Point Road, Chattanooga, TN
Free Locking Class
May 16, 2020
3001 Kings Point Road, Chattanooga, TN
Riverbend Festival
May 27-30, 2020
Ross’s Landing, Downtown Chattanooga, TN
For more information on these or other upcoming events, email us or call (423) 622-1978.
Happy Holidays!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our family to yours.
Holiday hours for Erwin Marine Sales are as follows: Monday, December 23, 2019 through Wednesday, January 1, 2020. All locations and departments will be closed. Normal hours of operation will resume on January 2, 2020.
We look forward to a new year!
Right as the new year begins, so do boat shows! Mark your calendars now for upcoming shows in Nashville, Huntsville, and Chattanooga. Click here for details.
The 60th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
If you’re planning to visit the “Yachting Capital of the World” for the 60th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, we hope you will stop by and take a look at the boat models on display.
Join Erwin Marine Sales in Fort Lauderdale, Florida October 30 – November 3, 2019.
Some of our Sales Team will be at the Sea Ray and Cruisers Yachts display during the show. Both Sea Ray and Cruisers are unveiling brand new models at the show!


Feel free to contact them for details about these boats on display as well as other boats at the show.
Payton Massey pmassey@erwinmarinesales.com (423) 290-8287 | Brian McNeal bmcneal@erwinmarinesales.com (423) 364-4673 | Michael Porter mporter@erwinmarinesales.com (706) 581-4510 |
Huntsville Area 4th of July Celebration Events

HUNTSVILLE FIREWORKS – All times shown are local (Central) time zone.
This list is provided for informational purposes only.
Saturday, June 29, 2019
- Independence Day Celebration | 6:00 -10:00 p.m. | Featuring live music and fireworks | Ditto Landing’s Kingston Pavilion
Thursday, July 4, 2019
- Lake Guntersville | 6:00 p.m. | free concert featuring Soul Survivor then fireworks start at 9:00 p.m. | Civitan Park
- 53rd Annual Spirit of America Festival | 3:00 – 10:00 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. | Point Mallard, Decatur
- U.S. Space and Rocket Center | 9 p.m. | One Tranquility Base, Huntsville
- Stars and Stripes Forever |2-9 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. | Dublin Park, Madison
Chattanooga Area 4th of July Celebration Events
CHATTANOOGA FIREWORKS – All times shown are local (Eastern) time zone.
This list is provided for informational purposes only.

Friday, June 28, 2019
- Freedom Festival | Festival begins at 5 p.m. Fireworks start at 10 p.m. | 638 South Main Street, Lafayette, GA
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
Wednesday, July 3, 2019
- “Pops on the River” performance by Chattanooga Symphony and Opera | Early entertainment starts at 5 p.m. with the Pops show at 8 p.m. and concluding fireworks display at 9:45 p.m. | Chattanooga Coolidge Park
- Camp Columbus | Live music starts at 6 p.m. and fireworks at dark. | 8601 Camp Columbus Road, Hixson, TN
- Collegedale’s “Freedom Celebration” | 6 p.m. | Two big stages featuring live music will be located at Veterans Memorial Park and the train platform at Imagination Station. Fireworks typically begin around 9:45 p.m.
- Patriotism at the Post | Festivities start at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks start at dark | 6 Barnhardt Circle, Fort Oglethorpe, GA
- Athens Regional Park | 9:30 p.m. | 2405 Decatur Pike, Athens, TN
Thursday, July 4, 2019
- Chattanooga Lookouts at AT&T Field | Fireworks following the Chattanooga Lookouts vs. the Jackson Generals | Game starts at 6:15 p.m, | 201 Power Alley, Chattanooga, TN
- Bradley Square Mall | fireworks at 9:15 p.m. | 200 Paul Huff Parkway, Cleveland, TN
- Lake Winnepesaukah | 10 p.m. | 1730 Lakeview Drive, Rossville, GA 30741
- Soddy Daisy Lake | Fireworks at dark
Events and Happenings
There is so much happening at Erwin Marine Sales. You don’t want to miss it!
UPCOMING EVENTS — Are you ready?
Boating season is here! Let’s get it started with our annual “Blessing Of The Fleet” on Sunday, May 5th on Chickamauga Lake. All boaters are invited!
We meet at 1:00 EST upriver of Big Ridge Marina at Harrison Bluff. The parade will proceed slowly towards the Dam for a non-denominational “Blessing Of The Fleet” from Rev. Betsy Kammerdiener. Monitor channel 72 for communication.
For details, contact Doug at (423) 622-1978 or by email at dunderwood@erwinmarinesales.com.
Catch The Wake At “Surf’s Up Saturdays”
7 Demo Days of Summer at Erwin Marine Sales!

Experience wake surfing behind the all new 2019 Centurion Ri257 – the best wave maker on the water!
7 Days of Summer May 4 May 18 June 1 June 15 | June 29 July 13 July 27 |
Join Erwin Marine Sales noon-5pm on these Saturdays this Summer for special Demo Days.
Sign up here for a day of surfing. Space is limited!
CUSTOMER APPRECIATION PICNIC
CUSTOMERS, please join us on Saturday, May 18th at Chickamauga Marina, 11:30am. – 2:30pm. (EST) and let us show our appreciation for you, our customer.
Join us for an afternoon of food and fellowship with your boating neighbors. We will be serving burgers and hot dogs with all the fixins’. We sincerely appreciate you and thank you for being part of the Erwin Marine family. See you there!
Summer Marina Hours
- Chickamauga Marina
Dry Storage
8:30 to 6:30 – 7 Days - Gas Dock/Marina Office
8:30 to 6:30 | Wed. through Sun. - Pine Harbor Marina
Gas Dock / Marina Office
9:00 to 5:30 | Wed. through Sun. - Sunrise Marina
Dry Storage/Gas Dock/
Marina Office
8:30 to 6:30 – 7 Days
Effective May 1st
FREE LOCKING CLASS
We have a few spots left for our Free Locking Class on Saturday, May 18. Learn all about locking through the Chickamauga Dam–what to do and what not to do. This is a FREE event but you must REGISTER!
Click here to sign up now by or contact Jessica by calling (423) 622-1978, texting (423) 933-2630, or email jarnold@erwinmarinesales.com.
DID YOU HEAR? – WE RENT BOATS!
Introducing Erwin Boat Rentals
Erwin Boat Rentals offers luxury Harris Tri-toon boat rentals at four of our marina locations on the Tennessee River in Chattanooga and on Lake Guntersville in Alabama.
Whether you’re planning a birthday party, a family outing, or the most relaxing day on the water ever, Erwin Boat Rentals has the perfect boat for the occasion.
And Erwin Boat Rentals doesn’t price gouge on holidays or weekends. Rates are the same any day of the week as they are for the 4th of July. So, if you have a special day in mind, you might want to book now. You can do that here.
We Rent Boats!
We are proud to introduce Erwin Boat Rentals.

Erwin Boat Rentals offers luxury Harris Tri-toon boat rentals at four of our marina locations on the Tennessee River in Chattanooga and on Lake Guntersville in Alabama.
Whether you’re planning a birthday party, a family outing, or the most relaxing day on the water ever, Erwin Boat Rentals has the boat perfect for the occasion.

And Erwin Boat Rentals doesn’t price gouge on holidays or weekends. The price is the same any day of the week as it is for the 4th of July. So, if you have a special day in mind, you might want to book now. You can do that here.
Visit erwinboatrentals.com. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, contact Erwin Boat Rentals at 423-834-7778 or info@erwinboatrentals.com.