Annapolis Boaters Launch App To Connect Boat Owners, Mechanics

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Every boater has been there. The summer is going smoothly and all of a sudden, your motor starts overheating or your bilge pump fails. You don't know what happened or how to fix it.

All you know is that you want it your boat back in the water to soak up the final few weeks of the summer. There's an app for that.

Two Annapolis boaters created a phone application to connect boat owners and service providers. The app, called FirstMate Services, allows boaters in need of maintenance to gather quotes, track job progress and pay service providers, all on the same platform.

"We recognized a need within the community and from there, FirstMate Services was born," the app's co-founder, Julianne Hemingway, said in a press release. "We see it as the equivalent of connecting two pieces of a puzzle for the boating community."

Before selecting which bid to accept, boaters can read reviews from past customers. Keeping with the nautical theme, ratings are given on a scale of one to five anchors, instead of stars.

The app also benefits maintenance providers with free advertising and a centralized electronic payment system. Once mechanics are done, they can post a photo or video in the app to show the finished product to customers.

"We wanted to help companies too," FirstMate's other co-founder, Malcom Patel, said in the release. "[The app] also significantly streamlines the invoicing and cash flow process, meaning companies get paid faster. All of this comes at no cost to the company."

The app is currently focused on the Annapolis-area and eastern shore boating scenes, but it hopes to expand nationally in the coming months. To help grow its community, FirstMate will give users a $25 app credit for each company they successfully refer. The offer has a maximum redemption value of $100.

"For me, one of the drivers in creating the FMS app is to be able to find trusted service providers where ever I go," Patel said. "My future goal is to liveaboard my boat and travel, and we’ll certainly need reputable companies along the way."

Interested iPhone users can download the app here. The Google Play version is available at this link.

Have a story idea? Please contact me at jacob.baumgart@patch.com with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.