Alternative power solutions still hold the limelight - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 8 Sep 2022 15:00 PDT
Volvo Penta launches enabler for marine electric propulsion © Volvo Penta
It is hard to keep news of alternative power solutions out of the limelight currently. The latest information comes from Volvo Penta who have launched a new range of variable speed marine generator sets, a key enabler for electric propulsion of marine vessels, demonstrating the company's commitment to leading the industry in its transformation towards sustainable marine propulsion.
Now a standard part of the Volvo Penta marine offer, the range of variable speed marine generator sets allows shipyards to install hybrid-electric modular propulsion systems today. This important move towards modular propulsion enables operators to invest in new vessels with the peace of mind that they are built ready and adaptable for emerging alternative energy sources.
Meanwhile, our boating industry association leaders have been busy. Boating Industry Association (BIA) Vice President Adam Smith and Co-General Manager Neil Patchett visited Telwater Pty Ltd last week and were given an inspection of their Coomera factory by Commercial Manager Australia and New Zealand, Drew Jackson. Telwater is Australia's leading and largest manufacturer of aluminium boat and trailer packages in the southern hemisphere.
Specialising in the design and manufacture of Australia's leading aluminium boat brands, Quintrex, Stacer and Savage, as well as Yellowfin Plate Boats, Telwater is the third boat builder to join BRP's Marine Group as an independent product line, along with the Evinrude, Alumacraft and Manitou brands.
Among a broad range of activities to promote career opportunities in the boating industry, the BIA in Queensland has been working with the Australian Industry Trade College (AITC) to develop a long-term sustainable supply chain of apprentices, utilising the well-developed model of trade schools managed by AITC to support a range of industry sectors.
Planning is now under way to develop the concept of a boating industry trade school, with the BIA board today having met with AITC.
On Tuesday 13th September at Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, and across the surrounding maritime precinct, the Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIAV) will play host to an Industry Immersion Day for upper-secondary students from across Melbourne. Students will be welcomed with an industry overview relating to what great boats and other products are built and distributed in Victoria, where young people can work, and where a career in the boating industry can take them.
The BIAV Boating and Marine Industry Careers Guide will also be provided for all students, teachers and career advisors. The students will be invited on a tour of up to fifteen local work sites across the many and varied industry disciplines, with the host businesses showing their work, letting the kids get safely involved, and answering any questions. There may even be a boat ride experience for them also.
It's not too late if you'd like to be involved and help with this important step in addressing our skills shortage issues.
In Sydney, the Marina Industries Association (MIA) has announced that Repco Australia, Australia's largest nationwide automotive parts and equipment supplier, seeks to establish its brand as a trusted supplier in the marine industry by partnering as a Bronze Sponsor of the MIA. Across its 420-plus stores and distribution centres in Australia and New Zealand, Repco provides customers with total marine workshop solutions. Repco Australia's broad range includes parts, consumables, workshop tooling and equipment, and tailored solutions to suit the needs of marinas around the country.
MIA CEO Suzanne Davies is thrilled with this commitment to supporting our industry. "It's great to see Repco Australia focussing on the marine industry," Davies said. "Many MIA members have been purchasing from Repco over the years and have been very impressed by the wide-ranging products and the knowledge and guidance provided by the staff."
More partnership news comes from Raymarine. Raymarine and Groupe Beneteau have recently announced a partnership to supply Raymarine award-winning Axiom chartplotters and navigation equipment to the Beneteau Oceanis range of sailing yachts. This latest collaboration will see Raymarine instruments fitted as standard across the Oceanis range, which have been chosen specifically for their proven track record in reliability.
Raymarine has a long-standing relationship with Groupe Beneteau and is an existing preferred supplier to the yacht manufacturer's Jeanneau, Lagoon, and Excess brands. Raymarine's past performance in providing a reliable and high level of support and service was also pivotal in being chosen to supply the Oceanis range.
New products this week includes a development from B&G. The company has debuted the new Triton™ Edge sailing processor this week, delivering the most advanced processor ever to hit the sailing market. Triton Edge is the brains behind a sailboat's electronics and on-board data systems.
With the Triton Edge, ultra-fast processors deliver an enhanced suite of accurate sailing data to your B&G Triton and Nemesis™ displays, B&G Vulcan™ or Zeus™ chartplotters. Information which can also be accessed via webserver, allowing you to upload data recordings to the cloud to be viewed, replayed, and analysed in the B&G Companion App.
And safety product development is always welcome. Communication and safety at sea specialist Ocean Signal is launching its latest and most technologically advanced safety beacons to the market at this year's SMM in Hamburg. The new rescueME EPIRB3 and SafeSea EPIRB3 Pro are the world's most advanced EPIRBs. They offer full regulatory compliance for vessels operating under SOLAS regulations, meeting new updated IMO (International Maritime Organization) Maritime Safety Committee EPIRB rules which came into force on July 1 2022.
Additionally, Ocean Signal is unveiling its new rescueME PLB3, the first AIS enabled Personal Locator Beacon.
From New Zealand we learn that the New Zealand coastguard Mana's recently put their new rescue vessel in use. A repurposed Rayglass Protector, previously used as a support boat during America's Cup, is now a part of the rescue fleet in Cook Strait. With the coastguards' big focus on sustainability and safety, OXE Diesel was an obvious choice when it came to powering their new vessel. With twin OXE300's on the transom, there was no need to compromise on low emissions, range or safety.
"This new vessel we're receiving is really going to be a gamechanger for us. The outboards have been set up to give pulling power and a useful cruising speed giving us that extra advantage in the water when it's crucial, as well as all the technology that will help us in all other aspects like giving us stable communication to our people," said Coastguard Mana President Tara Doak.
More marine industry news at www.marinebusinessworld.com/Oceania
Stay safe,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com