Restrictions eased but a long way to go - Australian MarineBusinessWorld.com newsletter
by Peter Rendle 14 May 2020 15:00 PDT
Offshore fishing © John Daffy
While the federal government has eased some restrictions on social movements including allowing ten people to gather in cafes, restaurants and hotels, we are a long way from returning to the norm, if ever. Fishing and golf are now allowed, with certain limitations but events including sailing regattas are still not permissible. With new Covid-19 cases reducing on a weekly basis we hope it will not be long before the restrictions on events is relaxed.
In the meantime, the chairman of the Global Marina Institute (GMI) Tony Browne CMM predicts a lasting impact on marina training as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. "The necessary embrace of online platforms for meetings and education webinars and courses is fast-tracking our industries permanent use of these methods. We are a global organisation facilitating training across the world from the UK/Europe, the Middle East, Asia and into Australia and New Zealand. The distance between marinas is significant in many countries and the cost of face to training due to the travel costs can be a barrier to participation. On-line communication and learning are meaning more of our industry can access GMI information and learning. We are also starting to see that our industry members are connecting more frequently to discuss issues and share ideas."
Locally, for all MIA members to access education and training the MIA has converted their face to face Club Marine Emergency Preparedness Course to also be available online from 25th May 2020. With enhanced downloadable reference documents, this course will include a combination of self-paced learning and online live session with an industry veteran. Emergencies occur when you least expect and can catch people off-guard. Are you and your marina staff prepared? What are the legal requirements marinas must abide by in an emergency? Is your emergency management plan complete, up-to-date and tested? Is the necessary emergency equipment on hand and are all staff regularly trained in its use? Do you have all the appropriate documentation and processes in place? Participation in this online course should be part of any marina's risk mitigation strategy.
A company that had maintained an on-line presence before and during the current crisis is Marine Auctions. Their May auction will begin bidding on the 21st of May and end on the 27th May at 2pm. To View or Register for the Online Auction, go to www.marineauctions.com.au then click on: View or Register for the Online Auction Now.
And marine companies are still expanding. Princess Yachts Australia has announced the expansion of the brand into New South Wales joining forces with two familiar faces from the Sydney boating community, Sean O'Doherty and David Jensen. Sean and David were appointed as the exclusive dealers for Princess Yacht NSW at the beginning of April 2020. Sean and David share a combined 15 years' experience in the boating industry and have extensive knowledge of the Princess brand, having sold the vast majority of the Princess Yachts floating on Sydney Harbour today.
Also, as we look toward future, plans are already being made for events that are planned to take place next year. The organisers of the Australian Wooden Boat Festival are looking for 'Expressions of Interest' for their Boats Afloat program and Registrations for their Boats Ashore program that will open on Friday 15 May 2020 at 9am AEST. That means it's time to slap on one last coat of varnish and photograph your pride and joy. Expressions of Interest and Registrations will be accepted via australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au which you might notice, has had a little upgrade itself. Considering what our country, and the world has been through over the past three months, you are probably wondering if the 2021 Festival will look a little different to previous years. Of course, in an ideal world, we hope the spectre of Covid-19 will be far behind us by then and that the Festival will be as busy and bustling as it always has been.
Keep safe,
Peter Rendle peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com