Overseas companies dominate this week's news - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 7 Dec 2023 23:00 GMT
Mercury will have three facilities in Australia powered by solar by early 2024 © Mercury Marine
Mercury Marine has underscored its commitment to sustainability with two new small-scale solar installations announced for its Australian operations. Mercury is installing two new 100kW solar systems - one at its Australian/New Zealand head office in Dandenong South (Victoria) and another at the company's Boating Lifestyle Adventure office in Murarrie, Brisbane (Queensland).
The Dandenong installation is projected to generate approximately 48 percent of the office's electricity needs, preventing 132 tonnes of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere annually. The Murarrie office solar system will on average meet 50 percent of the office's power demand and have the capability to supply 100 percent of power during peak times. The system will generate approximately 142,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, enough to power around 20 homes for a full year.
From France, the Wichard Group, who specialize in the design, manufacture, and distribution of products for the marine and industrial markets, is proud to announce the successful acquisition of Axxon Composites, a renowned company specializing in the manufacture of composite masts, booms and rigging. This acquisition marks a crucial step in the Wichard Group's growth strategy, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and quality. Axxon Composites, renowned for its expertise in the manufacture of high-performance composite parts, will bring its unique know-how to the Wichard Group's portfolio of brands.
From the USA, Iridium Communications, a leading provider of global voice and data satellite communications, today announced the launch of the Iridium® Global Maritime Distress and Safety System Academy (GMDSS Academy). Providing curricula specific to GMDSS and related safety services, the GMDSS Academy is dedicated to ensuring maritime students receive the required Iridium GMDSS safety instruction for working aboard Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) class vessels.
The GMDSS Academy curricula are free, taught by Iridium Service Providers, and can benefit any seafarer, partner or installer seeking a safer environment while at sea. Thousands of maritime colleges around the world can benefit from the GMDSS Academy curricula, which can be easily integrated with existing coursework.
From Europe, Dream Yacht Worldwide, a leading sea-based vacation and global yacht charter company, has announced the renewal of its catamaran fleet in the South Pacific, Caribbean, and Americas regions. The French West Indies will be getting 27 new boats, 10 will go to Tahiti and 40 will be delivered to the Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands. This fleet renewal further strengthens Dream Yacht Worldwide's position as a leading yacht charter company and pioneer in making sailing accessible for all. In total, Dream Yacht has 850 boats available from 42 bases across the globe.
Back on home turf, or should I say ocean, Superyacht Australia (SYA), the peak representative body for the Australian superyacht industry has announced an unprecedented partnership agreement with BOATPro, the award-winning superyacht market intelligence platform, launched in 2018 by BOAT International. BOATPro's role as the official data partner for SYA provides an exclusive opportunity for its members.
Acknowledged as a market-leading source of industry intelligence, BOATPro presents real-time, accurate and reliable superyacht data and were the first to offer AIS fleet tracker data designed specifically for the superyacht industry. This is used to build custom maps and reports on yacht activity such as port, marina and shipyard visits. Additionally, BOATPro provides historical data on superyacht migration and movement trends, along with brokerage data, refit information, and weekly and quarterly market insight reports.
At the same time and in partnership with Benetti Yachts, Superyacht Australia has announced that the fifth edition of the renowned Superyacht Australia Soirée will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024. The event will once again be held at Jones Bay Marina in Pyrmont, Sydney from 2-8pm. Australia's ultimate superyacht luxury lifestyle event is a celebration of the luxurious superyacht lifestyle offering an exclusive display of extraordinary superyachts at Jones Bay Marina on Sydney Harbour looking across the harbour to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Barangaroo.
From Victoria, one of Australia's most revered sailing regattas is looking for assistance. A call went out on 'International Volunteers Day' to join the team at the 2024 Festival of Sails. They're the heartbeat and the backbone of almost every event and on International Volunteer's Day, the Royal Geelong Yacht Club put out the call for their crucial volunteers to sign up for the 2024 Festival of Sails, coming up in January.
FoS Volunteer Co-ordinator, Daniella D'Amore says each year more than 200 people of all ages and all backgrounds put their hands up to take on all manner of jobs at the annual sailing regatta, both on and off water. "What do they do? Oh, my goodness, what don't they do! Everything from greeting and assisting, helping to direct visitors, moving gear around the yacht club, running errands, setting up, packing up, there's literally almost nothing they won't do," says Daniella. "And you know what, it's always with a smile. They're an amazing bunch, who just have such a good time."
Stay cool,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com