Boating Industry Association continues to work with government - MarineBusinessWorld newsletter
by Peter Rendle 23 Jun 2022 23:00 BST
BIA working with governments © Boating Industry Association
Having worked as a volunteer member of the Sailing Industry Association committee for 12 years, a subcommittee of the Boating Industry Association of Australia, I am aware of the amount of time the Association spends communicating with government across a wide spectrum of boating issues. It was a welcome press releases that advised that (despite the interruptions caused by Covid) the team at the BIA are maintaining a close relationship with relevant government departments.
In keeping with BIA key priorities to advocate on behalf of industry to governments, the association has held multiple meetings with Ministers and senior Department representatives across key jurisdictions over the past weeks. BIA had a constructive meeting recently with the Qld Government and that included the Minister and the leadership team of Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) on the subject of safer boating and safer boating infrastructure. The topics ranged from safety and infrastructure, to responding to extreme weather events. BIA is looking forward to more of the same with the Minister and MSQ.
Reflecting the professionalism that the industry now alludes to, The Boat Works in Queensland is setting the pace. A recent accolade is testament to the service ethic and collaborative approach of the marine professionals, contractors and suppliers. The team at The Boat Works accepted the 2022 Award for "Superyacht Industry Project / Design or Manufacturer of the Year" at this year's Australian Marine Industry Awards held in May at Southport Yacht Club on behalf of the marine professionals who worked on the project.
The Award recognised the complexity and success of a ground-breaking stabiliser upgrade to a 30-metre charter vessel undertaken by Ocean Degree Yacht Services, Stella Marine, ATL Composites, Marine Trade Supplies and Chandlery and The Boat Works team.
Additional evidence is provided by recent awards. Up-and-coming Australian sailors Caelin Winchcombe (WA), Chloe Fisher (VIC) and Sarah Hoffman (NSW) have each been awarded an AIS scholarship to assist with balancing their high-performance training and education needs. The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) supports athletes to be successful in sport, education and life, awarding more than $100,000 in education scholarships to 41 athletes from 19 sports and 19 tertiary institutions in 2022.
In its second year, the AIS Education Scholarship program has now awarded a total of more than $320,000 in scholarships to 118 athletes across 30 sports and 31 tertiary institutions.
Staying with sailing, a new dinghy has recently been launched. Described by the distributors as the sailing boat of the future it is now available in Australia. And it folds into the back of your car! Folding and nesting dinghies aren't a new concept, but ones designed and built with exceptional performance and high-tech construction are. This is where the Reverso Air enters the picture as "the world's fastest portable small sailboat".
The Reverso's unique hull shape (3.35m(11ft LOA) and 1.22m (4ft beam) breaks down into four sections, with the largest weighing only 16.8kg, and the total hull weight of 55kg.
As the industry moves forward so does the need for education. An oil spill in your marina or boatyard requires fast and efficient action to mitigate the risk along with effective planning for such an event. This course can ensure marinas and boatyards have those involved in the response adequately trained and prepared for their roles. This course is structured as an hour self-study portion and two hours live online zoom session with the presenters, Clemens Overdijk CMM, Marina Manager Sydney Superyacht Marina and Martin Silk, Group Risk Manager for d'Albora Marinas. The next live online session is on 30th June 2022.
And from an Australian boat builder, engrained in a rich history as Australia's leading aluminium boat brand, this year Quintrex reinvigorates its visual branding as the company sets its sights on a bold future of innovation and challenging the marine norms. Still fondly reflecting the rich 75-year heritage as Australia's most sought-after boat brand, the refresh still maintains the essence of the previous logo, whilst simply refining the crux of the visual representation to streamline its identity across all platforms.
Together with upholding the mandate to continue getting people out on the water, Quintrex seeks to inspire all Australian boaties to continue challenging "Where Next". The modernisation is set to strengthen the brand and take it to the next level, whilst representing the product in a way that befits its status as Australia's leading boat manufacturer.
News involving Asia comes from Maritimo. As part of an international strategy to expand its global dealer network into new markets, the leading Australian luxury motor yacht manufacturer has finalised a deal with one of Japan's longest running and most respected marine industry corporations. Eins A Resort, established in 1989, is well known as the exclusive SeaRay Boats distributor in Japan since then.
Eins A Resort provides high quality imported and domestic boats, service, and support to discerning Japanese customers at its Osaka headquarters/showroom and through its extensive retail and commercial sub-dealers throughout Japan. Leading Maritimo's global expansion strategy, Derrick Nowak said the appointment of Eins A Resort to represent Maritimo in Japan was a significant milestone for the company.
Energy Observer (the autonomous zero-emission ship) continues its journey in South East Asia, with the 73rd stopover of its round the world Odyssey being in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Vietnam is one of the last stopovers of the Energy Observer Odyssey in the region, after a large-scale event in Singapore which gathered the vessel and its pedagogical exhibition village, followed by a several-week stopover in Thailand to document the country's energy and ecological transition's challenges.
And for all the exhibitors both on water and on land, the organisers of the Thailand International Boat Show are pleased to offer an early bird booking. For all bookings with deposits received between now and 31st July 2022, they will offer a 10% discount.
Stay safe,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com