Watermark Tours, Charters, & Cruises Receives Prestigious 5-Year Safety Award From US Coast Guard - Again!

Released: December 03, 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 Friday, December 1, 2007, the US Coast Guard, Sector Baltimore, awarded two of its hightly-coveted Officer in Charge of Marine Inspections Awards to Annapolis-based Watermark, for their safety record over the 5-year inspection cycle on the passenger vessels Harbor Queen and Lily, one of four Privateer vessels used for water taxi service in the Annapolis Harbor. The award is only given to recognize those whose vessels can go 5-years without 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 maintenance staff, led by Captain Ron Gonzalez, consistently delivers a hight level of vessel maintenance, always with safety in mind. They do a great job, and the Coast Guard inspetors recognize that."

Captain Ron Gonzalez is the Director of Watermark's Technical Department, which perofrms all vessel maintenance, safety inspections, upgrades, adn problem-solving. "to receive an award of thsi stature is indeed and honor," added Captain Gonzalesz. "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 sates 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 represents the third and fourth such awards that Watermark has received. 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 int eh Annapolis Harbor. Watermark received the award again in 2007 for passenger vessel Annapolitan II.

For a complete list of walking tours, yacht charters, and sightseeing cruises offered by Watermark, visit www.watermarkjourney.com.

US Coast Guard Sector Baltimore Award Watermark Maintenance Staff Officer In Charge of marine Inspections Awards.