Voice Over Production

Effective voice over production can mean the difference between merely hearing a sound and sensing the feeling behind that sound. Having capable voiceover talent can be invaluable to the production value of a project. You need to make the best imprint possible in order to drive business and gain the best return on your money. This is why you need the assistance of a proper voice over production studio. When it comes to acquiring a good voice over production studio to outsource to, there are many options to consider and many studios to choose from.

It is important to determine the defects in the vocal dubbing and eliminate them before releasing the final product. Making changes after the fact can be detrimental to the budget and draining on the morale of the vocal talent. It is best that you outsource your voice over work to a professional studio that have many years expertise and knowledge rather than take a chance performing the vocal dubbing work on your own. From radio ads to big budget movies, the caliber of the voice over production can set the feeling for the overall essence of the project. Even if you feel as though your project may be small in scale, outsourcing to a voice over production studio is still a manageable option for your budget and your requires.

Have you ever dreamt about living on a Cruise Ship forever?

Traveling the world, seeing all kinds of exotic places, cruising forever with not a care in the world.

It is now a reality, and several possibilities exist.

1. The World of ResidenSea was launched in 2002 as a condominium-style residential community contained on a 644-foot cruise ship, complete with restaurants, a spa and fitness center and other amenities similar to what you’d find on a typical mid-size cruise liner.

As with land-based condo resorts, short-term rentals of a week or more may be arranged without committing to ownership, and a wide range of ports is included on The World’s ongoing circumnavigation of the globe.

Residensea has problems.

-disputes between owners of Condos on the ship and tourists.

Owners want to stay in exciting ports for several days, tourists that the ship needs to get full occupancy to cover the cost of unsold suites want to move from port to port every day.

Sales of actual condos on the ship have stalled due to fears of terrorism, uncertainty in financial markets and uncertainty about the future of the ship.

Annual maintenance costs run at $100,000 per suite while an actual suite now costs 1.9 to 4 million dollars. This ad recently appeared on the Internet:

“Rent an outside luxury cabin from $600 a day”

From somebody who owns 2 cabins on the ResidenSea. That runs to $18,000 per month.

2. Join an organization that will buy a used Cruise Ship and convert it to Condos.

This concept has been tried and failed.
The practical problems were just too great.

-Trying to get enough people interested
-Trying to get commitments from people
-Trying to find a ship that was not going to fall apart immediately upon leaving the harbor.
-Trying to get cash from people before a ship was bought.

And these were just problems BEFORE a ship was even bought.
Think about the problems there would be after the ship was bought.

3. Buy regular cruises on an on-going basis.

This seems the only practical way in which you can live permanently on a Cruise Ship.

Here are the estimated costs based on double occupancy starting on the cheap:

Basic Cruise Costs; $100 per day x 2 people = $6000 per month
This includes gratuities, all you can eat and port costs.

Independent costs of living for Seniors seems to be about $2000 per month per person = $4000.
This includes food.

So for $2000 per month extra a couple can live on a Cruise Ship (or ships) forever.

The advantages of this type of living if you have that extra $24,000 per year to spend are these:

-Quality of the meals on a Cruise Ship is probably a lot better than what you would get in an independent living type of situation.

-You can vary cruise lines, use a Caribbean Cruise Line this month, an Alaska Line next month and a European Line for the next 6 months.

-Shows every night.

-Built-in new friends every week or so. Most cruises end within 7 days and a new crop of potential friends arrives for you to interact with.

-An entire Cruise Staff to help you with ANYTHING if you have a problem.

So, if you want to live on a Cruise Ship: $24,000 a year extra is all it takes for 2 people.

Celebrity Cruise History Living on a cruise ship Condo cruise ship living

Why Take a Royal Caribbean Cruise Vacation? Well, with all the different cruise ships in their line, all the destinations,and the affordable price range, there are cruises to please every traveller, no matter how jaded.

In our fast-paced society, Royal Caribbean offers a very cost-effective and time-efficient way to take a holiday. Think about driving all day through holiday traffic to a far-away destination, packing and unpacking at every hotel, and trying to find restaurants and personal services. On a Royal Caribbean cruise you don’t drive anywhere for weeks at a time. Even on a tour bus , it’s you personally who must handle all the luggage and repack at each new destination. On a cruise, your bags arrive with you when you check in and the staff transports them to your cabin, stateroom, or suite. You are at home immediately and don’t have to move until the cruise ends. And cruise ship cuisine is legendary in both quantity and quality. Each Royal Caribbean ship has world class restuarants staffed by award-winning chefs, and the cruise price includes the cost of the food. At every port, guided tours are available so you won’t miss any of the spectacular attractions. You can take a holiday from parental duties as well, since supervised activities and games are available to keep children occupied. And at the end of your holidy staff will arrive to pick up your luggage and take it to the intended pick-up point. Cruise ship facilities free you from so many of the worries and strain associated with traveling, and allow you to relax and actually enjoy your vacation time.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines offers the some of the best deals in the travel industry. Conde Nast Traveler consistently rates Royal Caribbean Cruises as one of the world’s best cruise ship lines. Services include informative lectures about your location, upscale boutiques, and Broadway-style entertainment. Some ships even have facilities for ice-skating shows. Try your luck in the Casino or even collect fine art at the onboad auction. Enjoy exotic nightlife at clubs with various themes.

You’ll never feel neglected at the onboard spa. Try a deluxe manicure and pedicure, a luxurious facial or even a relaxing massage. You’ll leave glowing and invigorated.

But Royal Caribbean isn’t just for the adult traveller. Royal Caribbean features an Adventure Ocean Youth Program and Fisher-Price Aqua Babies and Aqua Tots to occupy younger passengers. When the ship reaches port, adults have the opportunity to take cultural tours by themselves without hauling along bored and unwilling children . And the the younger set can enjoy vigorous, noisy activities such as a rock-climbing wall without wearing out the parents. One ship under construction, Freedom of the Seas, is being equipped with onboard surfing!

Age or disability do not hamper cruising. Modern cruise ships are specifically designed to accommodate the needs of aged and mobility-impaired passengers, and staff is always ready to help with the special medical needs of passengers. Nowadays most major cruise lines accommodates those who require dialysis or supplemental oxygen, and more medical services are available if requested beforehand. An emergency clinic with CPR equipment is available on each ship, saving you the trouble of finding an English-speaking doctor in a foreign country.

Dinner is a major form of entertainment on a cruise ship, a practice dating back more than a hundred years to the era when cruises were for nobility and the wealthy who expected elegant formal meals. With today’s laid-back lifestyle the old-fashioned elegance is optional, and for those who enjoy casual dining, meals can be obtained around the clock from room service and cafeterias. However, what is a cruise without glamour? It can be a lot of fun to go to a ritzy event where ladies show off their best attire and jewelry, and gentlemen wear tuxedos.

And don’t forget the cruise destination itself! Royal Caribbean docks at a different port of call every few days, depending upon distances and sailing time between local ports. Aside from the caribbean, these ships sail all around the world, to Hawaii, Mexico, the Panama Canal, New England, Alaska and many European ports. It’s up to you whether you want to explore onshore or lounge aboard the ship all day. You are free to investigate each destination on your itinerary as long as you arrive back at the dock in time for departure.

Optional activities are offered for a slight extra cost, and Royal Caribbean offers adventures geared toward the unique features of every destination. There are cruisetours, a combination land/sea package to further explore inland in Alaska, the Canadian Rockies, Whistler Resort and Europe.

With all these pleasing and unique services available at such affordable prices, why not think about a Royal Caribbean Cruise for your next sea vacation?

Frank Hague is interested in Cruises. www.royalcaribbeanreview.com www.celebrity-cruise-now.info www.condo-cruise-ship.com www.boating-holidays.info www.lake-tahoe-now.info www.2qz.com/condo-cruise-ship

Taking a cruise to a foreign country can be a new and exciting experience if you have never traveled abroad. There are plenty of new sights to see and things to try, but there are also dangers that nave travelers must be aware of. When traveling internationally there are a number of things to take into consideration that will make your vacation even more enjoyable.

When traveling internationally on a cruise it might be a good idea to invest in travel insurance. Not only does travel insurance protect you from any unexpected cancellations, which can be important since cruises abroad can be more costly than domestic rates, but travel insurance can come in handy in other ways as well. Before leaving check into your medical insurance plan to find out if you are covered in foreign countries. Some insurance plans do not cover medical expenses in foreign countries and in some cases insurance plans are not accepted by foreign hospitals. In case of medical emergency while you are away, travel insurance policies can be purchased to cover any unforeseen medical costs that may occur while you are traveling.

Make sure you get to the boat early. In today’s world, there are a number of security precautions and safety measures that are taken before you are allowed to board any mode of public transportation. This means that you will need plenty of time to check your bags and get through security before your boat leaves. If you end up having a little extra time before you board your cruise, most shipping docks have areas where travelers can wait for their cruises to leave. It is better to have a little extra time than to miss your boat. Also, be sure to have your boarding pass and passport handy so you can get them checked quickly and easily rather than having to search through your bags for them.

If you are traveling abroad for the first time, beware of scams that many international travelers unfortunately fall prey to. There are a number of smalltime thieves that lurk in areas where cruise ships dock, waiting to make unsuspecting passengers their next victims. Make sure to keep your bags in sight at all times, to avoid getting anything stolen. Also, be sure to only keep items you will really need in your wallet during your trip. Try not to carry a lot of unnecessary items with you. It is also a good idea to lock all baggage that you bring with you.

It is a smart idea to make copies of all important documents before your trip. You should make photocopies of your passport, credit cards, medical prescriptions, and your medical insurance information. Photocopying your credit cards will allow you to have images of them if they happen to be lost or stolen during your trip. You will have the numbers, expiration dates and the phone number to call if you do misplace them. By copying medical prescriptions you are able to have the information for any medications you might need during your trip. Medication bottles are small and can easily be misplaced. It is important to always have your medical insurance information with you in case of any medical emergencies. Of course, as previously mentioned, you should make sure that your medical insurance fully covers any medical expenses in other countries before departing on your trip. If it does not cover you, travel insurance might be a smart choice for you.

Make sure you know the currency conversions between American dollars and the currency of the country you are visiting. Make sure you are visiting places that will accept your credit cards or make certain that you have enough local currency on you for any expenses. You will also want to look into places to exchange your currency. Different places offer different rates of conversion. Banks are typically the best bet, as they usually offer the best rates. However, it is smart to look into this and do some research before your trip. Another option is traveler’s checks, which can be purchased from your local bank prior to your trip, and can be used anywhere.

The most important tip for people planning to travel abroad is to have fun and enjoy the trip. For most people it is not everyday that they get to visit a foreign country, so try your best to take in as many sights as possible and don’t forget your camera.

Jessica is a travel bug and reports her adventures on her www.travelbloghome.com.

Feel free to print/reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or website as long as you leave all the links in place. Don’t modify the content and include the resource box as listed. Please send a note when it is used. Thank you.

A cruise is a voyage of discovery, an experience of cultural extravaganza of various civilizations. Cruising can reveal the biggest continents with the lengthiest coastlines and the highest mountains of the world.To explore the true majesty of our world and its magnificent past, to experience the magnanimity of its religions and its peoples, embark on a cruise . You will never ever forget the experience.

Of all the cruises that I have been on, I liked the Asia cruise because it takes you to Singapore & Hong Kong. It was definitely worth a look. The temples in Thailand , the temples of India , or the peaceful eyes of Buddha, redefine spiritual faith of the believers and non-believers. Native women display graceful dance forms of India , the Japanese tea ceremony and the Chinese theatre. All of these wonders have enormous cultural significance that are and integral part of the region’s tradition. It is a pleasure to be a spectator of such enormous cultural and traditional environment intermingles with every walk of life, so alike to each other yet so very regional in its own right.

The Asia cruise takes the traveler along the Malaysian, Vietnamese and the Thai seas. Splurge on pretty gifts from the fabulous shopping arcades of Singapore and Hong Kong . Take time to spoil yourself in Dubai . Be a part of a once in a lifetime shopping experience with discounts and promotional offers like you have never seen. Come to Bollywood, know what family entertainment can be found and enjoyed by watching a Hindi film.

Your Asia cruise can be a channel and opportunity to explore the cultures and land masses with their own unique spirit and expression. You can go on an Asia cruise to suit your own needs whether it is Far East or the southern pacific. Every cruise has its mystique and its own story to unfold.

After you have chosen your cruise, you should expect elegance and no gimmicks. You can enjoy your vacation at your own pace as if you were still at home but better. If you like solitary experiences then you can jog unmolested, swim a lap in warm pools or read a great book. You should, however, take part in some of the free activities. Join the exercise classes, get a soothing massage, and enjoy a relaxing sauna.

Some cruises offer aerial sightseeing, white water rafting, and hikes amongst other things. You can find spas, health clubs and even wedding chapels on your cruise ship.Children have special play areas or centers with lots of fun and entertainment. The cruise agency often invite at least one guest speaker to share their experiences about the region you are traveling through giving you funny and sometimes curious insights. Most of the cruise staff provides excellent service and all guests get first class attention.

The dedicated staff looks after you very well and is there at your beckoned call. You can find the vital information you need from the staff and other places on board about where to find souvenirs, to shop for local handicrafts, or nice restaurants that are sure to delight and amaze you.

Asian cruises have exotic entertainment billings that showcase authentic entertainment and special theme events, hilarious comedies, and regional musicals. The exquisite dance performances will most assuredly leave you spell bound.

Spellbound and mesmerized will be the mood for you when your cruise journey ends. Surely, you and the ones you love will benefit in more ways than one from a trip of this magnitude.

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If the workaday world has worn you down, you may be interested in taking a truly memorable holiday trip or vacation. In this regard, you might want to consider a Celebrity Cruise Line trip. A Celebrity Cruise Line trip truly would be a vacation of a lifetime.

(Keep in mind that while the Celebrity Cruise Line is discussed with specificity in this brief article, nothing in this piece should be construed as an explicit endorsement of the Celebrity Cruise Line or its services. Rather, the materials presented in this article are provided for informational purposes only. As you plan your own holiday or vacation, you need to undertake your own course of research to determine what sort of trip is most appropriate to your own travel needs and desires.)

Celebrity Cruise Line provides a wide range of destinations and points of call for its guests, including:

- Alaska
- Bahamas
- Bermuda
- Canada
- New England
- Caribbean
- Europe
- Galapagos
- Hawaii
- Mexico
- Pacific Northwest
- Panama Canal
- South America
- Trans-Atlantic

In addition to providing its guests with a wide array of different, interesting ports of call, Celebrity Cruise Line also schedules cruises of different lengths. From longer journeys to various ports of call to shorter jaunts that provide perfect breaks from the hustle and bustle of daily living, Celebrity Cruise Line has it all.

When it comes to onboard entertainment on the high seas, Celebrity Cruise Line works hard to have “something for everyone.” One of the most popular entertainment features offered on most cruises is a “lavish Vegas style spectacular.” These dazzling performances are thrilling to see.

For those people who prefer something more laid back after a day of cruising, Celebrity Cruise Line includes a Michael’s Club on every ship. These richly decorated piano bars provide a perfectly relaxing venue for travelers.

The Celebrity Cruise Line has worked hard in recent years to develop a unique set on onboard amenities. Included within the Celebrity Cruise Line scheme is “Acupuncture at Sea.” Through this program and regimen, the cruise company is working to give its traveling guests the opportunity to recover the balance between “the physical, emotional and spiritual.” Acupuncture is a natural, comprehensive health care practice that is said to strengthen a person’s immune system through the use of thin needles used at specific energy points in the body. The company created the “Acupuncture at Sea” program as part of its overall commitment to its guests. Celebrity Cruise Line believes that a cruise should be a restorative process on all levels for its guests.

Excursions to the shore are a vital and interesting part of nearly every Celebrity Cruise Line voyage. At Celebrity, you have a number of different options when it comes to going ashore. Of course, if you are so inclined, you can spend your time onshore “doing your own thing.” On the other hand, Celebrity always has available knowledgeable and professional guides that can make your time onshore truly memorable. Celebrity can arrange a wide array of different types of onshore excursions — everything from historical and cultural tours to wildlife adventures.

For more information on Celebrity Cruise Lines, please visit www.celebrity-cruise-line-review.info

The Chandris Line was the precursor of Celebrity Cruises.

One of the ships operated by Chandris was the beautiful Liner America previously owned by the United States Line and initially captained by Demitrios Challioris who had been in charge of a crude oil tanker in Southampton.

Chandris bought the largest passenger liner ever in Greece called the Australis. The Australis had served extensively as a troop ship during the second world war so underwent a major refit and became a one-class configuration geared to carry 2300 passengers.

The aft promenade decks were extended, a swimming pool was added, and air conditioning was installed.

She made 3 month voyages around the world from Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Southampton, Casablanca, Las Palmas, Cape Town,(or through the Mediterranean via Gibraltar, Naples, Malta, Piraeus, Port Said and Aden), Freemantle, Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, Suva, Tahiti, Acapulco, Balboa, Cristobal, Port Everglades and return to Southampton.

Chandris Lines also had the Australian Government’s prized immigrant contract bringing tens of thousands of new immigrants out to major ports in Australia The ships were always sold out so that there were 3 sittings for dinner and special sittings for kids. P&O, a rival cruise line, had ceased the line voyage business to Australia so that the Australis was now known as “the world’s largest express liner” .

In 1977 Australis tried a new itinerary from the South Pacific to points in South America to Portugal.

Interest in Sea Travel at that time was low and Australis and became the sole remaining liner on the trade.

New Immigrants now traveled by jet.
In November of 1977 Australis was laid up.
In 1978 she was sold to US investors.

They mismanaged the ship and their company, Venture Cruises, was declared bankrupt.
Guess who bought the ship in bankruptcy court?
Chandris Lines.

For $4 million less than the amount for which they sold her four months earlier!
The ship was laid up and sold in 1992.

Celebrity Cruises was created by Chandris Lines as a separate luxury cruise line, initially using Chandris’s Galileo, which was renamed Meridian after she was rebuilt. She was joined by the new ships Horizon and Zenith in 1990 and 1992.

In 1989 there was a need in the Cruise Industry for a luxury product at a decent price.
Chandris wanted to establish a worldwide standard for cruising by The company was determined to set a new, worldwide standard for cruising.

Exceptional Cuisine and all its facets became the mainstay of the Celebrity Cruise experience.
Master Chefs serve as the line’s revered culinary and wine consultants since its founding.

In 1995 Celebrity introduced the so called Century Class Fleet with an Industry first:
Luxurious Spa Experiences.

In 1997, Celebrity Cruises merged with Royal Caribbean International, bringing together two extraordinary cruise brands within one corporation, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
Today Royal Caribbean uses 29 Cruise Liners.

Cruising has become so popular that from 2000 to 2002 Royal Caribbean doubled its passenger capacity.

Its newest ships use gas turbine engines reducing exhaust emissions by 95% and have become traveling art shows as well.

They boast original paneling and artifacts from famous transatlantic luxury liners.

In 2001, building on the strengths of both the Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises brands,Royal Celebrity Tours was started to offer truly unique vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe, combining outstanding cruises with exceptional pre- or post-cruise land tour packages now known as “cruisetours.”

Celebrity Cruise History Living on a cruise ship Condo cruise ship living

Keep your dream vacation from turning into anything but. When you’re going on a cruise, whether it’s a family vacation, a honeymoon, or just some time away, use a little common sense to keep yourself and your valuables safe.

Victims of theft aboard cruise ships can run into yards and yards of red tape attempting to prosecute the responsible parties. First of all, most cruise ships require attendees to sign a waiver, keeping the cruise line from being held liable for crimes that occur on board. Secondly, many cruise ships are registered in foreign countries, while passengers (including the criminals) are from various locales. Meanwhile, the ship is sailing in water owned by still another jurisdiction. This often puts the area of responsibility into, well, murky waters. Finally, once passengers leave the cruise ship, it is virtually impossible to trace your stolen belongings. Where they end up is anyone’s guess.

So, be smart. Stay safe, and follow some simple rules to keep theft from occurring in the first place.
Keep good records. Before you leave home, make an inventoried list (photographs are helpful) of everything you have with you, and keep it someplace safe. Record credit card and bank account numbers, and leave the list at home. Do bring along a list of phone numbers to all of your financial institutions (and a phone card if necessary) in case a credit card disappears; that way you’ll be able to report the loss while still on board and avoid any fraudulent use. Most importantly, if you don’t need something, then don’t take it with you. The less you have to worry about, the easier it is to keep track of everything you’re carrying.

Simply putting a suitcase under the bed in your cabin is no defense against a determined thief. On many cruise ships, the door locks are changed less often than those at a hotel, and your room may not be as secure of a place as you think. If you can’t leave your valuables at home, make use of the ship’s safe. Do not carry wallets in back pockets- pickpockets and purse-snatchers are possible anywhere, even on a cruise ship. Consider investing in an under-the-clothing money belt, which keeps your cash safe and provides the added benefit of not allowing you to forget your wallet lying on the table somewhere! Avoid displaying any valuables or cash you have with you, and invest in plain but sturdy luggage that does not draw attention to itself.

It may sound scary, but consider the fact that you take all of these precautions and many more when you venture to a new city and stay at a hotel. A cruise ship is a lot like a floating city, full of people from all walks of life, and a little precaution can help save your valuables. Not to mention your vacation!

Kirsten Hawkins is a cruise and travel expert specializing in discount cruises and travel. Visit www.luxury-cruise-deals.com/ for more information on how to cruise the world for little or no money.

For many people, a cruise ship can be the ultimate budget travel destination. A cruise provides a great, one price, vacation, and one of the main attractions to booking a cruise is that just about everything is included in the price. As a matter of fact, in some cases the daily cost of a cruise can be less than the daily cost of a decent hotel room. When you consider that the price of the cruise includes not only the room, but all the food and entertainment as well, it is easy to see why cruises are so popular with budget minded travelers.

Of course, there are some things that are typically not included in a cruise package, and it is important to find out what is included and what will need to be paid for as an extra. For instance, most cruises do not include alcohol, and require passengers to pay their bar tab upon departure. In addition, most shore excursions and local sightseeing is not included, so it is important to get a detailed list of such excursions, including the price.

In addition, since advertised cruise prices are based on double occupancy, cruises are often less of a deal for solo travelers, since the single supplements can add quite a bit to the price of the cruise. It is always a good idea to inquire about special single rates if you are traveling alone.

The location of the cabin is another important consideration when booking a cruise. The interior cabins on the lower parts of the ship are generally the least costly, while the higher, larger cabins with ocean views are the most expensive. If you have never taken a cruise before, it is a good idea to get advice from those who have experienced cruising. These people can provide valuable insight on the best balance of cost and comfort for your first cruise experience.

As with other kinds of travel, getting the best deal on a cruise will take some time, some planning, some perseverance and plenty of shopping around. It is a good idea to shop as early as possible, particularly for popular destinations like the Caribbean or Mexico in the high season.

Of course, it is possible to save money by traveling in the off season, and this can often be a great strategy. For instance, even though it is the middle of the winter and most people are not thinking about vacations where you are, it may be warm and inviting in many tropical cruise destinations. It is important, however to check out the local weather, and to avoid the rainy season in the destinations you are considering. Steering clear of hurricanes, tropical downpours and other weather problems can help you get the most out of your cruise.

It is not always necessary to shop early, of course. Cruise lines have been know to offer some spectacular discounts at the last minute in order to move unsold cabins or avoid leaving with a less than full passenger load. There are many last minute travel newsletters that provide details on these types of cruise deals, and these last minute travel deals are a big hit with retirees and others with the time to see the world.

K Hoyng is the web master and operator of www.quickcash2u.com which is a good source of financial, travel, remodeling, and much more information. Visit us at www.quickcash2u.com/Cruise.html

Over 72 million Americans participated in recreational boating in 2003 on the estimated 17 million recreational boats in the United States. For many Americans, the investment in their vessel ranks along with their homes and automobiles. However, unlike homes and automobiles, most boat owners only spend a fraction of their time on their vessel which creates a few areas of serious concern; burglary and damage reporting.

Burglary and vandalism are crimes of opportunity. Criminals know that boats are frequently left unattended for long periods of time, making them an easy target for burglary and vandalism. Imagine showing up at your boat on a beautiful Saturday morning looking forward to a great day on the water only to find out that all the possession you stored on your vessel were stolen or that your boat has been seriously damaged, criminally or otherwise. That beautiful day just turned ugly very quickly. This is when you realize that, unlike your home or car, your boat is quite vulnerable without you there to protect it.

Crime prevention is a national crisis for boat owners all across the United States. What can boat owners do to alleviate this problem? A neighborhood watch style program would be a great start - fellow boat owners could then practice techniques for observing and reporting malicious activity. Unlike a neighborhood watch program though, concerned citizens can’t just knock on your boat door to inform you of theft or stolen property from your vessel. They can report it to local law enforcement, but there are some unique challenges with that:

Can local law enforcement get in contact with you?

If your vessel is registered, the local authorities will have access to your address, however, boat owners do not submit a phone number when registering their vessels. Herein lies the problem: law enforcement can only contact you in person or by mail and if you are not at your registered address or if that address is far away from you vessel, it could take days or weeks for you to be reached.

If a fellow boater noticed damage or suspicious activity on or around your vessel, would you find out?

Many boaters will make the good will gesture of reporting suspicious activity or criminal damage to local law enforcement; however, this leaves you back at square one when it comes to getting that information to you in a timely fashion. If a fellow boater notices damage or activity they do not perceive as criminal, there is virtually no chance that information will be passed on to you. People will call the police to report criminal activity but seldom report an incident otherwise.

What can be done about these issues?

There is an organization offering a service that addresses these issues for boat owners across America. Boat Watch USA has developed a National Boat Registry where boat owners provide (1) information about their vessel; (2) contact address and phone number, and (3) how and when to contact them. Boat Watch USA is a private, third-party intermediary for boat owners, and the personal information they keep for owner’s is not publicly accessible. When law agencies and concerned citizens want to report damage and criminal activity; they (1) call a toll-free hotline and, (2) report the incident using the unique vessel ID number. Both the hotline and vessel ID # are located on the Boat Watch USA decal the vessel owner affixes to their boat. Then, when an incident is reported, Boat Watch USA matches the vessel ID number to the contact person and reports the incident according to the owners preset directions.

Boat Watch USA has also developed neighborhood watch style program called “Boat Watch.” This is a public awareness campaign to educate vessel owners on crime awareness and the Boat Watch USA reporting methods. Boat Watch USA is also working to certify “Boat Watch USA Authorized” marinas and storage facilities that comply with the “Boat Watch” program.

About the Author:

Marc Eskew is a managing partner of Boat Watch USA, L.L.C. Boat Watch USA’s mission is to generate crime awareness campaigns and a timely reporting system for criminal activity and non-criminal damage to vessels for boaters throughout the United States. For more information, please visit http://www.BoatWatchUSA.com.