The Boat Show Circuit for 2022 gets under way - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 19 May 2022 22:00 UTC
Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show © Sanctuary Cove Media
The Sanctuary Cove Boat Show opened with traditional fanfare on Thursday morning and from all accounts the crowds were delighted to be back at a show, perhaps taking their mind off the impending need to attend a polling booth on Saturday to post their votes in the General Election.
The show has grown over the years and having attended the first in 1988, which was held to attract local people to the newly created Sanctuary Cove residential offerings, it has become a significant annual event on the marine industry's calendar. Being the first major show of the year, manufacturers and dealers often take the opportunity to launch their latest offerings and this year is no exception.
From Collins Marine, the Arvor 625 Sportsfish and the Arvor 675 make their Australian Premieres. Also on display will be the Arvor 705 Sportsfish, Arvor 805 Sportsfish, Arvor 675 Weekender and Arvor 755 Weekender.
Leading Australian luxury motor yacht manufacturer Maritimo, set one of the most heralded milestones in its near 20-year history at this year's show with the global launch of three iconic new models. The luxury motor yacht builder unveiled the M60 Flybridge Motor Yacht alongside the M600 Offshore Flybridge and S600 Offshore Sedan models. The three global launches headlined a six-model on-water display, which include Maritimo M55 Flybridge, M60 Flybridge, M600 Offshore, S600 Offshore, S55 Sedan and X50 Sport models from Maritimo's iconic model range.
Riviera proudly held the World Premiere of its new 465 SUV at the opening of the show. Riviera's design team, in collaboration with 4D Designs, has excelled with the development of this new model which joins an exceptional line-up of Riviera SUVs including the 395, 445, 505, 545, 575 and 645. The 465 SUV offers a water-sports cockpit, covered alfresco deck that expands the saloon living space, three double staterooms, two generous bathrooms and multiple entertaining spaces in a sub-fifty-foot yacht.
Meanwhile the final preparations are being made to the Marinas22 International Conference and Trade Exhibition kicking off this Sunday night with the City of Gold Coast Welcome Function held aboard YOT Club - the Gold Coast's premium superyacht floating venue. Marina Industries Association President Andrew Chapman said, "With all the challenges that Covid has brought preparing for this conference, we are delighted we will surpass attendance from previous years. We are pleased to announce that Mairnas22 will maintain its position as the largest Marina Industry conference in the world."
MIA CEO Suzanne Davies commented, "We are excited to welcome delegates from across Australia and our international guests to hear from a great line up of speakers that will deliver relevant, timely and thought-provoking content designed to inspire delegates to capitalise on the strength of the industry."
From the Victorian BIA: advanced notice of their Melbourne Boat Show dates. This long-awaited, much anticipated event is set to return, in a revised lifestyle format, on the waterfront at Docklands, October 20-23. Exhibitor appetite for an outdoor, lifestyle focussed Show, with activations, entertainment, and a great return on investment is strong. Visitors are super keen for an event too, with demand for boats, boating and the boating lifestyle still strong.
Other recent boating, and non-boating events and shows, have seen huge visitation and excellent results. Over 50 brands are already booked in, including the likes of Beneteau, Chaparral, Haines Hunter, Jeanneau, Mastercraft, Northbank, Parker, Riviera, Seadoo, Suzuki, Whittley and many more.
Further news confirming the buoyancy of the industry comes from The Boat Works. They will embark on the next level of major construction within the Superyacht Yard, doubling the footprint of the North yard. The 55-acre facility will increase yard capacity and marina jobs significantly, servicing up to 100 boats undercover with additional Super Sheds plus new marine showroom premises.
Stage 5 will begin immediately with completion by mid-2023. This growth will further lift the bar, making The Boat Works arguably the world's best slipway and marina facility. "It gives us the opportunity to service the full spectrum of yachts, monohulls, and cruisers through to superyachts that visit the Gold Coast," said owner, Tony Longhurst.
The optimism is shared by ASMEX. An independent economic study of the superyacht industry in Australia was released yesterday at ASMEX 2022, the annual conference for the superyacht, marine export and commercial marine industries. The study, conducted by AEC Group, projects that by hosting the world's most prominent event, the Summer Olympics, Australia will welcome at least 200 of the world's largest superyachts generating $1.8 bn in economic value and 7,657 jobs.
Current cost estimates for hosting the Olympics in 2032 are $5 bn, therefore the superyacht industry alone could provide more than a third of this investment back in return.
News from the Boating Industry Association of Australia includes the rebrand of their Marine Card product. The Association has undertaken a rebranding initiative to refine the visual identity, offering and vision. The Marine Card program is an industry-wide approach to basic Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) management for the marine sector in Australia.
Developed to improve WHS practices, build better systems of compliance, increase safety awareness and streamline the registration and sign-in process for visitors entering marine sites to undertake work activities, Marine Card enables marine businesses and contractors to better understand their obligations and duties regarding the safety of people working on site.
From the sailing world, The Yacht Racing Forum announces a partnership with World Sailing which will be actively involved in the thirteenth edition of the conference in Malta on 21-22 November. "We are delighted to welcome World Sailing as an official partner and look forward to strengthening our ties with the sport's governing body," says Bernard Schopfer, the event's CEO. "World Sailing's endorsement is a real tribute to the quality of the work we have been putting into this event over the years."
The sports' key personalities, classes, events, technical suppliers, sponsors and athletes will gather at the Forum, attracting some 300 people from all over the world in one place at one time to do business and meet future clients. Yacht Racing Forum delegates will be welcomed to Malta on Sunday evening at a pre-event cocktail reception hosted jointly by World Sailing and Yachting Malta.
And new products this week involves a new member to the industry. The marine industry has a new first aid and medical training solution with the official launch of Australian company Marine Medical Solutions. Providing world-class training courses and medical equipment relevant to the marine industry, Marine Medical Solutions has tailor-made offerings for Superyachts, commercial operators, cruising and racing vessels as well as marine businesses.
Based on the Gold Coast and servicing Australia wide and beyond, Marine Medical Solutions ensures marine professionals are prepared for any eventuality with scenario-based first aid training onboard their own vessel or in their place of business, with their own crew and using their own equipment.
More industry news is available at www.marinebusinessworld.com/Oceania
Stay safe,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com