MARISAFE LAUNCHES WEB RETAIL/SERVICES SITE TO MAKE BOATING BETTER, SAFER

MariSafe, a Sarasota, Florida-based boating accessories specialty retailer and service provider, today announced the launch of www.marisafe.com with a first-of-its-kind suite of boater services and a precedent-setting customer care benchmark for the marine industry. Created by boaters for boaters, MariSafe delivers the resources, information, tools, services and merchandise boaters need and can call upon to make their on-water experiences better and safer.

MARISAFE LAUNCHES WEB RETAIL/SERVICES SITE TO MAKE BOATING BETTER, SAFER

(SARASOTA, FLA.) --FEB. 11, 2002 -- MariSafe, a Sarasota, Florida-based boating accessories specialty retailer and service provider, today announced the launch of www.marisafe.com with a first-of-its-kind suite of boater services and a precedent-setting customer care benchmark for the marine industry.

Created by boaters for boaters, MariSafe endeavors to establish a climate of boaters proactive commitment to preparedness and safety. Staffed by customer care marine experts who together have logged more than 180 years of boating experience, MariSafe delivers the resources, information, tools, services and merchandise boaters need and can call upon to make their on-water experiences better and safer.

Our first hand boating experience, coupled with the results from our nationwide focus group research, and J.D. Power and Associates July 2001 survey on customer satisfaction in the marine industry, uncovered one core fact: boaters are frustrated with the lack of quality customer care," said Founder and CEO Steven E. Paley, a seasoned boater. It is our quest to put customer care first. We provide boaters with the essential products, services and information they need to enhance their on-the-water experiences, all while engaging them in safer and smarter boating practices that lead to increased proficiency, confidence and performance on the water."

MariSafe is intended for novice and seasoned boaters alike and emphasizes the practical, everyday resources boaters need to maintain, operate and fully enjoy their vessels in offshore, coastal or inland waters. For example, site visitors gain free access to and use of interactive online tools that enable boaters to: create, file and update digital float plans; use its QuickSpec feature to generate a list of U.S.C.G.-required boating equipment; use its MariSpec feature to access customized gear recommendations based on boat size, waters navigated, and the type of boating; and use its MariQuip digital equipment organizer to inventory all their onboard equipment.

Boaters can also make use of the sites useful array of free digital guides, directories and research tools. MariSafes online resources range from learning how to properly use and organize boating gear, accessing up-to-date weather information and reviewing current regulations, to finding nautical charts, pumpout stations, medical facilities, boating courses, insurance providers and quotes.

Other site features designed to help improve a boaters on-water preparedness include an anonymous incident reporting tool, a complete boating dictionary, frequently asked questions and articles on safety, outfitting, rigging and more. Veteran boating writers, including Tom Wood and Kathy Barron, author much of the sites content.

The marine retailer underscores its customer care strategy through its inventive, timesaving OnWatch Personal Advisor program for its MariGuard members, a concierge-level service heretofore unavailable to boaters. In addition to such member benefits as unrestricted towing coverage, theft-reward protection and product and service discounts, MariSafe assigns an OnWatch Personal Advisor expert to each of its members. Personal Advisors are available to address and assist with all members boating needs and questions including such services as researching unusual boating accessories, finding qualified service professionals to install new equipment and locating and reserving a marina slip for the night.

MariSafe also unveiled a collection of fee-based services designed to simplify boat ownership and operation. MariSafes new, descriptive service programs include Fix My Boat, Service My Equipment, Survey My Boat and Document My Boat.

In addition to a comprehensive cache of unique services and free boater resources, MariSafe.coms Store carries a core assortment of specialized, top-name brands in numerous categories including safety, navigation, electronics, anchor/docking, rigging, electrical, plumbing and ventilation, inflatable boats, boating apparel, and books, videos and software.

Concurrent with its Web launch, MariSafe has unveiled a new boating preparedness program called Take Five." To inaugurate the program, MariSafe has developed, and offers free (1.866.362.7472 or customercare@marisafe.com), its Take Five boat launch safety checklist decal. MariSafe anticipates adding new Take Five program features by year-end 2002.

Backed by more than 130 years of professional marine industry experience, MariSafes founder and management team created the company to redefine for the nations recreational boating community what constitutes a better and safer on-the-water experience. MariSafe, with its administrative, distribution and MariSafe Customer Care centers located in Sarasota, is accessible at http://www.marisafe.com or toll-free, 1.866.362.7472.
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