Exceptional First Month Results Reported by Marine Supply Web Site as the Ecommerce Company Announces an Expansive Marketing Alliance With a National Boating Safety and Rescue Organization.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 19, 1999--

directMarine.com Reports Strong Consumer Online Interest

and an Exclusive Cross-promotional Agreement with

Vessel Assist Association of America

directMarine.com announced today that the company has experienced stronger than expected consumer interest and product purchase patterns during its first full month of operations following the launch of the Internet Web site in late June.

The company also announced that it has entered into an exclusive marketing arrangement with Vessel Assist Association of America, to provide shopping services and special pricing to the organization's over 32,000 members.

The online marine supplies superstore captured widespread industry attention last month when it launched the nation's easiest-to-use Ecommerce site dedicated to the recreational sailing, fishing and water sports markets. The site features thousands of marine products, including a wide range of general and specialized boating hardware, electronics, accessories, apparel and supplies from major manufacturers at discount prices.

According to directMarine.com president, Gregory Reddy, initial results have been very positive. "First month orders have far exceeded our expectations for this early period and have outstripped the results experienced by many other large sites during their first 30 days of operation," he said.

"The real surprise has been in the level of international orders and inquiries versus domestic activity. We anticipated some interest from overseas markets, but the apparent lack of distribution or availability of boat parts and accessories in foreign markets leads us to believe that the international segment of our business offers a strong opportunity for long-term growth and revenues."

At the same time, Reddy reported that supplier interest in the site has been "...simply overwhelming." Parts manufacturers and suppliers of every size have been contacting the company to have their products included on the site. He indicated that the company is currently examining ways to accommodate the requests without overtaxing the system's expansion capabilities.

The company initially launched the site to feature parts and supplies primarily for the sail boat owner, as it completed work on the power boat portion of the online store. Reddy disclosed that the power boat and power yacht product lines will be added some time soon, after completion of their first round of financing.

Reddy also announced the key points of an exclusive marketing arrangement with Vessel Assist Association of America to provide online shopping services and discount pricing privileges to the organization's 32,000+ members nationwide.

Vessel Assist also has more than 200,000 "indirect" members who regularly receive information from the organization. Headquartered in Newport Beach, Calif., Vessel Assist coordinates a national network of marine towing and boating safety vessels to assist stranded boaters offshore and along American waterways, similar in nature to national automotive emergency roadside service providers.

In an emergency, boat owner members of the organization radio one of Vessel Assist's dispatchers for rescue or assistance. The organization also provides a range of educational and boating care services, earning it a solid reputation as a leader in boating safety awareness.

The arrangement offers directMarine.com extensive visibility and promotion of its marine supplies shopping service on the organization's Web site and direct access to current and prospective members. Vessel Assist will also provide directMarine.com with safety information, Web content, and product reviews to help shoppers in their selection of the proper safety equipment for their particular boating needs.

In turn, Vessel Assist members will receive significant pricing benefits and new product information alerts. Further details of the co-marketing and financial arrangement were not disclosed.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, directMarine.com operates a comprehensive marine equipment and supply retail Internet storefront, providing thousands of marine products direct to the end consumer. The Web site may be found at http://www.directmarine.com from any PC with an Internet connection. E-mail inquiries may be directed to [e-mail]