Sailing and Fishing head the news this week - MarineBusinessWorld North America newsletter
by Peter Rendle 6 Sep 2023 20:00 BST
Yacht Racing Forum © Yacht Racing Forum
After thirteen successful editions, the international conference dedicated to the sport of sailing announces a new concept and format. From 2024 onwards, the annual Yacht Racing Forum will be held in parallel with the world's largest maritime industry trade fair: METSTRADE Amsterdam.
"This is great news for the Yacht Racing Forum, which will welcome a wider audience and strengthen its role as the leading annual conference dedicated to the sport of sailing," said Bernard Schopfer, the organiser of the event. "This new concept will increase participation while significantly reducing the event's carbon footprint." METSTRADE Amsterdam brings together some 20,000 participants each year, and presents the products of some 1,500 exhibitors in its spacious showrooms.
In New Zealand, Emirates Team New Zealand/America's Cup Event have announced a new technological partnership with ACCIÓ, the public agency for the competitiveness of Catalan enterprise which is part of the Ministry of Business and Labour of the Generalitat of Catalonia.
The wider partnership is a collaboration agreement to promote participation of local businesses in events related to the America's Cup and centred around sharing of new hydrogen technological advancements led by Emirates Team New Zealand, the Defender of the 37th America's Cup and team that brought the America's Cup to Barcelona, and their innovative developments of 'Chase Zero': the hydrogen powered foiling chase boat. This is a key milestone to boost the use of this sustainable zero emissions source of energy in the marine industry.
And staying with sailing, when highly experienced owners decided it was time to build a new yacht to take them on far-flung adventures, they had one particular goal in mind - to have her built in New England, USA, home of a fine tradition of seaworthy boats and fine craftsmanship. The result is a stunning new 95-foot (29m) modern interpretation of a classic pilothouse cutter that is taking shape at the Rockport Marine yard in Maine under the experienced management of MCM and with the build name Project Ouzel.
The MCM team boast 35 years of experience across a diverse range of projects since the company's founding in 1988, and more experience previously as builders and captains with hundreds of thousands of inshore and offshore miles under their belts. They have overseen the builds of 106 vessels, including 86 sailing yachts, for a combined length of 10,776 feet (3,284m) - making them the obvious choice for the owners of Project Ouzel, themselves experienced sailors whose previous yacht was a 64-footer from the renowned Baltic Yachts yard.
Last week, local leaders joined boaters and anglers at the Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament to discuss concerns regarding the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s proposed expansion of its North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule. The proposed expansion would implement a 10 knot (11 mph) speed limit on boats 35 feet and greater across a vast area of the Atlantic coast.
Under the proposed expansion, the speed limit would extend from Massachusetts to central Florida for 7 months out of the year. The proposed rule poses significant safety and economic concerns to America's recreational boating and fishing community.
People appointments this week include RAILBLAZA Ltd, manufacturer of premium quality, user-friendly electronics, fishing and boating mounting systems and accessories, who announced today the appointment of Andrew Moczygemba as its new global chief executive officer. As the current president of RAILBLAZA USA and former chief operating officer based in Houston, Texas, USA, Moczygemba has been an integral participant in organizational transformation and enhancing profitability across various segments.
At the Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to strengthening the Coast Guard community and service by supporting members and families, it was announced that Jessie Clary recently joined the Foundation's fundraising team. In her new position as regional director, she will work closely with Coast Guard units in Southern California to identify and fulfill education, morale and wellness, and family support for Coast Guard members.
"We are excited to add Jessie to our West Coast team," said Susan Ludwig, president, Coast Guard Foundation. "We are laser-focused on investing in the wellness, morale, and education of the Coast Guard, and Jessie's fundraising and relationship building experience will help us expand this support exponentially, both here in Southern California and throughout the country."
New boat launches involve the Brunswick Corp. During the 2023 Cannes International Boat and Yacht Show, Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) will unveil its newest boat brand - Navan by Quicksilver. Designed specifically to combine innovative technology with unmatched performance, versatility, and comfort, consumers will get a first look at two of Navan's models - the C30 and S30 models.
"After extensive consumer research and product development, we are thrilled to officially premiere Navan by Quicksilver to usher in the next era of performance and luxury," said Benoit Verley, President, Venture Boat Group. "There is no better venue to introduce such beautiful and expertly crafted vessels than the Cannes International Boat and Yacht Show. This is where boating enthusiasts come to see the future of recreational boating, and that is exactly what Navan delivers."
More marine industry news at www.marinebusinessworld.com/NorthAmerica
Stay safe,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com