Watermark Tours, Charters, & Cruises Receives Prestigious 5-Year Safety Award from US Coast Guard
Released: August 23, 2007
Media Contact: Wendy Thomas, Watermark Director of Marketing
Phone: 410-268-7601 x 111, Email: wendy@watermarkjourney.com
Web Site: www.watermarkjourney.com
On Monday, 8/20/07, the U S Coast Guard, Sector Baltimore, awarded its highly-coveted Officer in Charge of Marine Inspections Award to Annapolis-based Watermark, for its safety record over the 5-year inspection cycle on the passenger vessel Annapolitan II. The award is only given to recognize those whose vessels can go 5-years without any deficiencies of any kind, noted during any inspection by the Coast Guard. This is extremely difficult to obtain; for example, less than 1% of all Sector Baltimore's fleet of inspected vessels are eligible for it.
Watermark, Maryland’s largest and most diverse tour and charter company, operates eleven inspected passenger vessels and is headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland. “Safety is a top priority at Watermark, and part of our promise to our customer,” says President Debbie Gosselin. “Our staff, led by Captain Ron Gonzalez, consistently delivers a high level of vessel maintenance, always with safety in mind. They do a great job, and the Coast Guard inspectors recognize that.”
Captain Ron Gonzalez is the Director of Watermark’s Technical Department, which performs all vessel maintenance, safety inspections, upgrades, and problem-solving. "To receive an award of this stature is indeed an honor,” added Captain Gonzalez. “It takes a great team effort, not just within the Technical Department, but all throughout the Watermark family." His department is on call seven days a week to ensure vessels are functioning properly and efficiently.
Lt. Preston O. Logan, Chief, Small Passenger Vessel Branch, USCG Sector Baltimore states that “The award is meant to recognize the companies that set the highest standards of safety, obtain those standards, and maintain them through numerous inspections that are very thorough. The Coast Guard is very proud of companies such as Watermark that actually do receive the reward; in fact, we personally present it!”
This is the second time Watermark has received the prestigious Officer in Charge of Marine Inspections Award. The first was awarded in 2005 for the company’s safety record over a 5-year inspection cycle on the passenger vessel Ginny. Ginny is one of four Privateer vessels used for water taxi service in the Annapolis Harbor.
For a complete list of walking tours, yacht charters and sightseeing cruises offered by Watermark visit www.watermarkjourney.com .
Watermark employees receive award from U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Baltimore
Pictured left to right: USCG Lee Boone, Mike Mathias, Capt. Ron Gonzalez,
Commander Brian Penoyer, Watermark President Debbie Gosselin, and Rick Zimmerman |
