NSW leading the way to unwinding Covid restrictions - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 7 Oct 2021 15:00 PDT
Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach © Mariner Boating
After fifteen weeks of almost total lockdown in NSW, the state is about to wind down the restrictions which may lead to the rest of the country following suit. In the meantime, we continue to receive industry news from all over Australia and South East Asia.
A new yacht syndication has been announced involving the Whitsundays. Two major players in sailing have joined forces to offer shared ownership in luxury yachts for the first time out of Airlie Beach in Queensland's Whitsunday Islands, including shares in the first Bali 4.4 in Australia. Yacht Share Mariner and Dream Yacht Charter will offer the yacht share service under the tagline: 'Share the yacht, live the dream'.
Yacht Share Mariner belongs to the Mariner Boating Holiday group which has been operating in the international sailing holiday space for more than 30 years. Dream Yacht is the world's leading yacht charter company. In this joint venture, Yacht Share Mariner is offering shares in a fleet of luxury yachts which includes all servicing and maintenance at the Dream Yacht base at the Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach, in what they are calling a 'walk-on, walk-off' service.
Also, from Queensland and not directly affecting the leisure boat market but very topical, it is interesting to know that almost 100 percent of materials from maintenance works at Gladstone Ports Corporation's (GPC) Bundaberg Port, has been recycled to make way for future trade opportunities in the region. In the past six months, the maintenance works has supported approximately 40 local jobs and invested more than a million dollars into the region.
The most recent maintenance works includes giving an old wharf a new lease of life with all concrete, steel and timber recycled and distributed to local and national businesses to be re-used. The timber from the old wharf has been given a second life in Melbourne where it will be re-purposed while the concrete has been crushed down to be re-used in Bundaberg on construction projects.
As we strive to get back to normality, all businesses affected by Covid are gearing up to return to normal trading conditions and the marine industry is no exception. At Pacific Sailing School, sailing instructors are in demand. Pacific Sailing School is the longest running Sailing School in Australia and operates both Australian Sailing and RYA courses. Operating out of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, home of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, they are looking for Keelboat Instructors to deliver structured courses within the National Keelboat Program.
Teaching on one of the International J/24 inshore keelboats with up to four course participants on board, lessons are conducted within the confines of Sydney Harbour. All instructors assist with setting up equipment, rigging boats, cleaning and maintaining gear and packing away at the end of a session.
A major acquisition has taken place this month between two of the industry's biggest members. Brunswick Corporation announced this week that it has completed its acquisition of Navico, a global leader in marine electronics and sensors for $1.05 billion. With this acquisition, Brunswick adds the industry leading Navico brands of Lowrance, Simrad, B&G, and C-MAP to its Advanced Systems Group (ASG), which includes the leading Parts & Accessories (P&A) brands in power management, digital control and monitoring, and networked devices.
Navico is a leading provider of multi-function displays, fish finders, autopilots, sonar, radar, and cartography. Navico's strong brands serve most major powerboat and sailing markets for both recreational and commercial applications.
New product news from Volvo: Volvo Penta has improved the functionality and features of its next-generation Electronic Vessel Control (EVC 2) system and expanded the system to its complete marine leisure gasoline range and D8 diesel engines - with plans to gradually make it available for D11, D13, and D16 diesel engine ranges. When Volvo Penta's pioneering EVC system was first launched in 2003 it was the height of innovation - and it continues to be the foundation for Volvo Penta's full systems approach of integrated features from helm to prop. A major upgrade to the EVC platform was introduced in 2019 with EVC 2 together with the new D4-D6 engine.
This included a new electrical architecture that ensures faster software download, improved diagnostics, and traceability, as well as offering the prospect of upgrading to additional functionality in the future. The EVC system has enabled the company to integrate features - like the Joystick Docking, Dynamic Positioning System, and Glass Cockpit - from helm to propeller. The system delivers on Volvo Penta's easy boating philosophy - making the boating experience easier and more accessible.
The Marina Industry Association has received further support from Marina Master. In a demonstration of their support for the marina industry in the Asia-Pacific region, Marina Master has increased its sponsorship of the Marina Industries Association (MIA). Securing the coveted Silver Sponsorship, Marina Master has guaranteed exclusivity as the only marina management software supplier at this sponsorship level. MIA CEO Suzanne Davies commented, "Marina Master has been a Bronze Sponsor of the MIA for several years, but they are really making a strong statement to the industry by stepping up their support. The Association and its members are very appreciative of the investment in our industry."
Marina Master is a cloud-based marina management software solution which is customisable for any marina, shipyard and dry storage facility. It gives marina operators greater control and flexibility of their marina operations and access to real-time critical business data and statistics anywhere, at any time and on any device. It empowers staff by automating manual tasks and creates efficiency through its mobile app, which allows users to view marina occupancy, make reservations, prepare invoices, create automated payments, complete a dock walk and more, all while 'on the go'.
Continuing their involvement with overseas marinas the MIA has awarded the stunning Lantau Yacht Club with 5 Gold Anchors, following a magnificent on-water and landside rebuild. Opening in September 2020, the marina is located on the tranquil side of Hong Kong at Discovery Bay on Lantau Island, and is perfectly positioned to explore the local cruising grounds of Hong Kong or as a gateway to explore China. Five Gold Anchors is among the highest accolades that the industry awards and is reserved for marinas which offer their customers consistently high standards of service and facilities.
MIA CEO Suzanne Davies noted, "Gold Anchor is a simple and credible way of communicating to potential customers the marina's commitment to quality facilities and services. Gold Anchor is to marinas, what the Michelin Guide is to restaurants. There are over 200 Gold Anchor Marinas accredited in 27 countries around the world and the program is really 'on the move' and expanding in numbers and locations."
Keep the news coming - we will post it to the website. And remember our other sites in this region, PowerBoat.World, FishingBoating.World and Sail-World.com are all reporting the latest news from each of their marine segments.
Stay safe,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com