MIA announces position regarding short term marina accommodation
by Colin Bransgrove 21 May 2018 21:51 PDT
The Marina Industries Association (MIA) has announced its position with respect to short term marina accommodation. The Australian Marine Safety Authority (AMSA) recently released for public consultation draft Exemption 27 Marine Safety (Short Term Marina Accommodation) which, if approved, would allow recreational boat owners who berth their boats in marinas to let their boats out for short term overnight accommodation to guests, for a fee, and subject to conditions within the exemption.
MIA Chairman Andrew Chapman said the MIA Board had considered the matter and the MIA also took in views expressed at a recent meeting of certified marina members.
The MIA notes changes and innovations in the economy and consumer behavior and recognizes the opportunities that the sharing economy has for the broader marine and marina industries.
The proposed use of boats within a marina is subject to the written approval of the marina giving marina operators control over the use within their facility. MIA considers this condition is critical as it recognizes that not all marinas will want; and or are not suited to the provision of short term marina accommodation.
The MIA therefore supports the proposed exemption in principal as it has the potential to expose new people to the social and recreational benefits of marinas and to the boating lifestyle and in doing so bring new customers and revenue into the marina economy. It will also have the potential for participating marina berth holders to cover some of their boat ownership costs making boat ownership more affordable.
MIA encourages each individual marina to assess its own suitability for the provision of short term marina accommodation with careful reference to the proposed draft exemption.
The draft is open for consultation until 26 June, 2018 and further information can be found via the AMSA website.