Expansion at the top end of the industry - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 29 Jun 2023 15:00 PDT
With expanding infrastructure across the country, Australia's superyacht industry is investing significantly in its offering as a yachting destination © Hill Robinson
The boating industry is a diverse spectrum of services ranging from a single operator to international boat manufacturers. Over the years we have watched the growth of the top end of the spectrum, the superyacht industry. With expanding infrastructure across the country, Australia's superyacht industry is investing significantly in its offering as a yachting destination.
The Hill Robinson Gold Coast office provides insights about this growth from recent industry events. It has been a busy period for the Hill Robinson Gold Coast office. The team have been attending some of the most important events on the Australian superyacht industry's calendar, including the Australian Superyacht and Marine Export Conference (ASMEX) and the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.
Held from 23 to 24 May at Sanctuary Cove Resort on the Gold Coast, Queensland, ASMEX 2023 showcased Australia's expanding superyacht infrastructure and provided interesting insights on growth trends within the region. Some of the latest developments on the Gold Coast include Southport Yacht Club, which has recently added a 160-metre berth to its 300-berth marina, and the newly refurbished Marina Mirage, complete with floating beach club La Luna and new superyacht berths up to 70 metres.
It has also been announced that the multimillion-dollar expansion of Australia's Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard, where the Hill Robinson office is based, is moving forward. The development of the 20-hectare site will create more refit and repair sheds and enhance lifting capacity with a 1500-tonne lift, catering for the needs of wide-beamed catamarans and sailing yachts.
At the same time education is paramount in an industry that has some unique demands on its work force. Apprentices play a role in ensuring that industry skills are maintained. The Boating Industry Association of Victoria is welcoming nominations for the highly anticipated 2023 Apprentice of the Year and Apprentice Employer of the Year Awards to be presented at this year's Melbourne Boat Show.
These prestigious awards aim to recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of individuals and organisations in the marine and boating industry. Participation in the nomination process is crucial to ensure that deserving candidates receive the recognition they deserve.
By nominating an apprentice, or apprentice employer, you not only contribute to the success of these talented individuals and companies but also play a significant role in promoting excellence and innovation within our industry. Your nomination will help us identify the most deserving candidates who have demonstrated exceptional skills, dedication, and commitment to their profession and the industry.
Further North, and with the spectacular Whitsundays winter months well under way, the much-anticipated arrival of our winter humpback whales is not the only annual migration the Whitsundays waters have welcomed this year. As many cruising yachts have arrived to enjoy and explore our tropical backyard for a winter of fair winds and sunny skies, Coral Sea Marina has announced the return of the "Better Boating" series of free training events, as part of the Coral Sea Academy.
Following the success of the "Better Boating" series in previous years, the Coral Sea Academy welcomes back partners, Mainstay Sailing and Volunteer Marine Rescue Whitsundays, who will, from July - September, provide the perfect opportunity to encourage better boating practices and increase confidence on the water through a series of informal, fun and engaging sessions.
While economic conditions are presenting their own challenges, it's pleasing to note some Australian companies continuing to expand. Barz Optics have signed four new distributors around the world since the METSTRADE Marine Industry Trade Show last November. In the UK, Peter Alexander - owner of Orca Bay marine footwear and his distribution company Shoreline International - will now distribute Barz Optics throughout the UK with the assistance of Martin Humby and his Sailforce sales representative team. Sailforce will service the UK, Marine, Sailing, Kayak, Kite, Fishing, Windsurf and Surfing Markets with Barz Optics diverse range of polarised, polarised bi focal, polarised photochromic and their unique award winning polarised photochromic with readers.
Steve and Gaylene Parker have just purchased both Barz Optics and their sister company BZ Optics distribution rights to New Zealand from Gayle and Raymond Austen. They will trade under Barz Optics NZ. They initially introduced the both new ranges at the Hutchwilco Boat Show in Auckland. Tommi Muurila, owner of Nettitiikeri Oy (a company specializing in electric outboards) will distribute both Barz and BZ throughout Finland. In India, Anjanai international Marine Sports are now representing both brands into the marine sports industries.
New boats this week involves TMG (formerly The Multihull Group). TMG Yachts are delighted to unveil the PRESTIGE M8, an extraordinary new multihull yacht that offers a truly exceptional cruising experience according to the importer. With an unmatched living area in its category and a unique layout, the PRESTIGE M8 sets a new standard for spaciousness. Whether you are cruising Australia or the Mediterranean, the M8 ensures an intimate connection to the sea and your surroundings, even when you're indoors, through its remarkable windows that consistently provide breathtaking views.
The M8's remarkable design combines the volume, comfort, and luxury equivalent to an 85-foot monohull yacht with the stability and comfort of a catamaran, delivering a cruising experience unlike any other. Crafted with a distinctive hull designed to enhance performance and reduce energy consumption, the M8 delivers both smooth and serene cruising while promoting environmental sustainability. Remarkably, it consumes only half the fuel of a monohull with the same living space, making it a great choice for eco-conscious voyagers.
Among new products launched this week, Garmin have announced the GMR™ xHD3 series open-array radars that combine high-definition imaging with the latest platform technology to deliver new levels of confidence, clarity and performance to cruisers and anglers alike. A first for Garmin magnetron radar, the xHD3 series incorporates scan averaging that helps filter out sea clutter and interference on the display to provide mariners with enhanced consistent targets.
Target size processing utilises pulse expansion to help optimise on-screen object shapes for better interpretation at all range scales, and true echo trails display a historical "trail" of boats on the water, removing relative motion influence to help quickly identify moving targets and potential collision threats.
Last but not least: people appointments. Former Australian Sailing Squad athlete Amelia Catt has become the latest star to join the Australian Sailing Performance Pathways team, following her appointment as the Performance Pathways Advisor in Tasmania. Catt will draw on her extensive, high-performance experience as both an athlete and a coach to lead the development of sailors from her home state both on and off the water.
Catt is delighted to begin in this role, having recently refined her skills through the Australian Institute of Sport Accelerate Program for Women.
More regional industry news at www.marinebusinessworld.com/Oceania
Stay safe,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com