Behind the scenes the industry is active - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 19 Oct 15:00 PDT
Spring 2023 Member Networking Forums © Boating Industry Association
The Boating Industry Association (BIA) team looks forward to welcoming members to the Spring 2023 Member Networking Forums, starting next week in Queensland, then moving to NSW and finally Adelaide. Responding to member interest, a second NSW forum will now be held in Toronto to support members in the Lake Macquarie/Newcastle area.
Networking Forums are open for booking:
- 24 October - Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, Flags Room
- 25 October - Southport Yacht Club, Western Deck
- 30 October - Drummoyne Sailing Club, Sailors Lounge [DATE CHANGE]
- 31 October - Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto, Lake Macquarie
- 8 November - Dockyard, Adeliade
From Victoria the finalists for the highly anticipated Apprentice of the Year award have been selected and the winner will be revealed on the main stage at the Melbourne Boat Show, 28th October at 2pm. The eight outstanding apprentices have demonstrated exceptional dedication, skill, and passion in their respective fields within the boating and marine industry.
In Queensland, Australia's marine manufacturing hub is set to sparkle brighter this Saturday 21st October as the highly anticipated Gold Coast Marine Careers Open Day will be held at the Coomera Marine Precinct. In an ambitious collaboration between all of the marine and maritime industry under Marine Jobs, the event is designed to appeal to both students and those contemplating a career pivot to the marine sector.
"The Gold Coast stands as Australia's heart of marine manufacturing. The open day is a golden opportunity for many to not only immerse themselves in the boating lifestyle but to carve a promising career from it." enthused David Good, CEO of Australian International Marine Export Group.
The event aims to address the mounting skills shortage in the Gold Coast region, and endeavour to bolster its workforce by a significant 10%. With the current momentum surrounding the Spit Master Plan and the looming Northern Marine Precinct Steiglitz Master Plan, the need for skilled marine professionals has never been more pronounced.
Overseas, prepare to embark on a remarkable journey of opulence and sophistication as the highly anticipated Lantau Yacht Club (LYC) Boat Show 2023 - Festa Nautica sets sail from 3-5 November. As LYC's first premium boat show, Festa Nautica will showcase an extraordinary collection of the world's most exquisite and edge-cutting yachts and superyachts complemented with a selection of luxury lifestyle brands.
Set against the breath-taking backdrop of the South China Sea, Festa Nautica promises an unparalleled experience for discerning enthusiasts and industry professionals, offering a platform for networking, collaboration, and forging valuable connections.
Product News: Dockmate, manufacturer of advanced wireless remote controls for yachts, announced today the expansion of its integration with systems from thruster manufacturer VETUS. Building on its already-successful partnership, Dockmate is now able to connect cleanly with VETUS BOW PRO proportional brushless thrusters. Through this integration, Dockmate allows boaters with VETUS BOW PRO thrusters to be in complete control of their boat's movement from anywhere on board, including away from the helm where visibility is often limited.
Lagoon Catamarans, a name synonymous with innovation and excellence in the world of sailing catamarans, proudly introduces the world to the first ever production catamaran furling boom system. This revolutionary development represents a major leap forward in catamaran sailing technology and promises to redefine the sailing experience. In an industry where innovation is the key to enhancing the art of sailing and making it accessible to all, Lagoon Catamarans has unveiled an unprecedented feature that is already generating a wave of excitement among sailing enthusiasts.
Business expansions include the Freedom Boat Club, the world's largest boat club operator, who today announced the planned opening of a new location in Southport, its second location along Australia's Gold Coast. This announcement marks Freedom's seventh location in the region since launching its presence in the Asia-Pacific market in early 2023, underscoring the Company's commitment to execute on its strategic plan to rapidly increase its international footprint and expand boating participation across the world's top boating destinations.
"As we head into peak boating season in Australia, we're excited to be adding our second location in the heart of the Gold Coast giving our members unlimited access to explore some of the most iconic waterways in the region," said David Kurczewski, General Manager, Shared Services Asia-Pacific. "As Australia's first global boat club, we are energized by the overwhelming positive reception we've received from the marketplace, with potential members and franchise operators looking to join the Freedom family and grow the great network we have in place."
And technology continues to be developed: The accomplishment comes just ten years after the first Saildrone USV crossed the Pacific Ocean and confirms Saildrone's position as the only proven long-range, long-endurance uncrewed platform. On a windy day in October 2013, a small team of engineers and boatbuilders watched the first wind-powered ocean drone disappear over the horizon, bound for Hawaii 2,200 nautical miles away. That journey took 34 days.
Fast forward ten years, and Saildrone's fleet of uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs), now 136 strong and scaling rapidly, has sailed 1,042,620 nautical miles and spent 32,438 days at sea - and counting.
Enjoy!
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com