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of the few in the country, allowing multiple boats to be<br />
hauled and worked on at once. From bottom painting<br />
to extensive refits, Watercraft is a needed asset to the<br />
recreational boater. I dropped by the office of Butch<br />
Laboten, the general manager to see how his business is<br />
fairing. Like all others, he reported suffering through the<br />
closing and a slow but rising recovery. With travel by boat<br />
restricted many owners are not preparing their vessels as in<br />
previous years, but the hoped-for easing of restrictions has<br />
spawned a new vitality to the company.<br />
Watercraft has thirty-four full-time employees, ranging<br />
from selling new boats, rigging, and technical assistance<br />
to bottom cleaning and painting. He reported a hint of<br />
recovery in the boat sales department. As with the others<br />
I talked to, he foresees a rise in recreational boating within<br />
the Filipino community. Putting it bluntly, he said Covid<br />
19 has given us a view of our mortality, we must live every<br />
day to the fullest.<br />
Chairwoman Amy<br />
Butch had some great ideas for communicating with the<br />
boating public on the ever-changing rules of popular<br />
boating destinations. Posting contact info for the various<br />
Coast Guard offices would be very helpful. Can I go to<br />
Coron?, El Nido, what are the requirements.<br />
The epicenter for pleasure boating is the Subic Bay Yacht<br />
Club. The largest marina in the area if not the country,<br />
Team-dock<br />
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