Mercury, Sea Pro Support New Orleans Efforts

FOND DU LAC, Wis., Sept. 1 -- Mercury Marine has joined with Sea Pro boat company to ship more than $200,000 in boats and engines to support rescue efforts in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

"We wanted to do all we could to help, and we wanted to do it immediately," said Mercury Marine President Patrick C. Mackey. "This is truly a time of crisis that is difficult for most of us to comprehend. Many people need help, and this is an area in which we're qualified and capable of making a difference."

Mercury, the world's largest manufacturer of recreational marine engines, is shipping 10 inflatable boats with four-stroke motors to New Orleans for general rescue and recovery efforts. Additionally, Mercury has supplied engines for five boats donated by Sea Pro. Mercury and Sea Pro are owned by Brunswick Corporation .

The inflatable boats with engines were donated by Mercury in response to a request from the Louisiana governor's office on behalf of Louisiana Fish and Wildlife.

Sea Pro, which is located in Newberry, S.C., was quick to respond with five shallow-draft skiffs that will specifically meet the needs of the rescue and recovery efforts in New Orleans.

"We're aware of the widespread damage created by this massive hurricane and the long-range ramifications it's going to have on millions of people," said Bob Beagle, president of Sea Pro. "We want to respond in a way that will help as many people as possible, and we happen to manufacture a boat type that is well suited for this type of rescue effort. Everyone here is not only wishing the best for all those affected, but we're also trying to make a difference."

Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., Brunswick Corporation endeavors to instill "Genuine Ingenuity"(TM) in all its leading consumer brands, including Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrives and inboard engines; MotorGuide trolling motors; Teignbridge propellers; MotoTron electronic controls; Northstar marine electronics; Navman marine and GPS-based products; IDS dealer management systems; Albemarle, Arvor, Baja, Bayliner, Bermuda, Boston Whaler, Crestliner, Hatteras, Lowe, Lund, Maxum, Meridian, Ornvik, Palmetto, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Savage, Sea Boss, Sea Pro, Sea Ray, Sealine, Triton, Trophy, Uttern and Valiant boats; Attwood marine parts and accessories; Land 'N' Sea and Kellogg marine parts and accessories distributor; Life Fitness, Hammer Strength and ParaBody fitness equipment; Brunswick bowling centers, equipment and consumer products; Brunswick billiards tables; and Valley-Dynamo pool, Air Hockey and foosball tables. For more information, visit http://www.brunswick.com/ .