The Empire State Marine Trades Association

Who We Are

The Empire State Marine Trades Association (ESMTA) advances and supports New York State’s marine trades industry through business advocacy, workforce development, and industry education. We represent the businesses and professionals who build, sell, service, store, and maintain boats and marine equipment, as well as the marinas and facilities that support the industry. Through statewide representation, industry partnerships, and member resources, we work to strengthen marine businesses, address industry challenges, support our regions during times of natural disaster, and promote long-term growth and sustainability across New York’s marine trades sector.

Our New York Regional Teams

Safer boating, thriving boating businesses.

ESMTA advocates for New York’s marine trades industry at the state level, representing the interests of marine businesses and regional trade associations in legislative and regulatory matters. We engage with policymakers and state agencies to advance policies that support business growth, strengthen the marine trades workforce, and address the operational and regulatory challenges facing marine industry professionals. Through legislative monitoring, direct advocacy, and timely communication with members, ESMTA works to ensure that the needs and priorities of New York’s marine trades businesses are heard and represented in decisions affecting the industry.
ESMTA is committed to protecting both people and New York’s waterways through education, advocacy, and partnership. We work closely with organizations and state agencies to promote safe boating practices and environmental stewardship, while keeping members informed with timely legislative updates and practical resources.
We actively support initiatives such as Clean, Drain, Dry, invasive species prevention, and other programs that safeguard water quality and ecosystem health. Through these efforts, ESMTA helps ensure a safer boating experience and the long-term protection of New York’s waterways.
ESMTA is committed to strengthening New York’s marine trades workforce by expanding access to training, education, and career opportunities across the industry. The Association pioneered New York State’s first marine trades apprenticeship program and continues to pursue funding and resources that support regional workforce development initiatives.
ESMTA also offers scholarship opportunities for members, their families, and employees, helping prepare the next generation of skilled marine trades professionals. Through ongoing investment in education, industry partnerships, and workforce initiatives, the Association works to ensure marine businesses have access to the skilled talent needed to grow, adapt to emerging technologies, and sustain a strong marine trades industry throughout New York State.

“The strength of the ESMTA is it works on the common problems for those in our industry, from upstate New York to the tip of Long Island. When you have a problem with permitting, for example, or other roadblocks, you are not alone. We have doors we can open.”

— Jay Lorenz, General Manager, Adventure at Burritt’s, Oswego, NY
“Being a marine trades association member means you have a whole community behind you. We hold ourselves to the highest standards in customer service, education, training and professionalism. That means we earn the trust of our customers, which grows our business. It’s sort of like a seal of approval that consumers look for today when conducting business.”

— Patti White, Owner, Pirates Cove Marina, Clay, NY
“Membership is most important when the DEC or access issues threaten to derail our business. You don’t have to be petrified when working with government, and access to the workman’s compensation insurance Safety Group 517 takes away the ‘fear factor’ – I know my team is covered.”

– Jeff Kalibat, Owner, K&K Outboard, Marine Park, NY
“Being an ESMTA member is about helping each other in business. When you need a hand in a storm, if you’re in a jam in need of part, there’s somebody you can trust. The advocacy works to help keep legislation in check, and it saved us during Covid.”

– Nick Sinclair, Leeward Cove Marina, Patchogue, NY
“Membership gave me an understanding of the businesses around me, so I could learn from others to implement proven programs in my own business. It also gave me the ability to understand Albany. Legislators now come to us, first, to ask our opinion about potential legislation that could affect our business. With ESMTA membership comes access to our recreational marine workman’s compensation program, Safety Group 517. It’s a ‘no brainer’ for me. It lowers my business risk because of our far better safety culture among our members and I save more than the cost of my ESMTA and AMI dues than if I was at the mercy of state fund.”

-Conrad Kreuter, Owner, Moriches Boat & Motor, East Moriches, NY
“I joined the ESMTA to network with marinas to grow my on-water boat towing and salvage business. Many of them did not know about the services that I offer to their customers, and it has helped me open doors with influential business owners. They take my calls now because they know I help a bad day on the water get a whole lot better. Membership has also kept me in the loop what’s going on in Albany.”

-Capt. Grant Langheinrich, TowBoatUS Rochester/Oneida Lake/Sodus Bay/Clayton NY
“I joined to make our industry a happier place for our businesses and our customers for the benefit of all.”

-Joe DeVita, Owner, Empire Point Boat Sales and Marina, Island Park, NY

OUR PARTNERSHIPS

New York’s marine economy encompasses more than 23,000 businesses and 285,000 employees, generating $27.2 billion in GDP across marine-related industries.

NOAA Office for Coastal Management, 2024 report

Who We Are

Safer boating, thriving boating businesses.

“The strength of the ESMTA is it works on the common problems for those in our industry, from upstate New York to the tip of Long Island. When you have a problem with permitting, for example, or other roadblocks, you are not alone. We have doors we can open.”

“Membership is most important when the DEC or access issues threaten to derail our business. You don’t have to be petrified when working with government, and access to the workman’s compensation insurance Safety Group 517 takes away the ‘fear factor’ – I know my team is covered.”

“Being an ESMTA member is about helping each other in business. When you need a hand in a storm, if you’re in a jam in need of part, there’s somebody you can trust. The advocacy works to help keep legislation in check, and it saved us during Covid.”

“I joined to make our industry a happier place for our businesses and our customers for the benefit of all.”

OUR PARTNERSHIPS

New York’s marine economy encompasses more than 23,000 businesses and 285,000 employees, generating $27.2 billion in GDP across marine-related industries.