ActiveCaptain, an online forum for boaters, announced a new program designed to help marinas market to boaters.

ActiveCaptain Co-Op is a time-sensitive offer of discounts, special rates and free services that marinas can post to the 20,000 ActiveCaptain members.

Marina owners can turn on and off the offers whenever they want - possibly after only a few hours - to drive more business to them, the company says.

Unlike membership clubs, coupon offers or other ongoing discounts, a marina can utilize a co-op when business is slow and an extra discount can bring in more boaters. They can turn off co-ops on days when business is brisk, allowing them to maximize income.

Marinas pay nothing to create and display co-ops. They pay $1.99 when a co-op is actually used by a boater and the transaction has completed.

"The Internet's real power is its immediacy. News appears as it happens. Users communicate in real-time with comments and blogs. We're bringing marinas this power to market in real time to users on their boats in their immediate area," ActiveCaptain founder Jeffery Siegel said in a statement.

The program will go live April 12 on the ActiveCaptain Web site and is now accepting enrollment.

Click here for the full release.