Coalition reviews marine parks, Charters heat up, life jacket campaign

by Jeni Bone, editor on 17 Dec 2013 Temperatures are soaring, Christmas retail frenzy is also fervent, and our thoughts are turning to R&R. And as most of us will be downing tools (not us journos), taking to the roads and waterways, it's pertinent to stress the safety message: drinking and operating a boat is illegal, and it's wise to check over your safety equipment, which includes in most cases: fire extinguishers, EPIRBs, flares, inflatable life jackets/PFDs, inflatable life rafts.

This equipment must be serviced by the manufacturer or an authorised agent by the expiry date, which must be clearly marked on the equipment.

Taking a light-hearted approach to a serious subject, NSW Maritime shanghaied Shane Jacobson, of Kenny fame, to host a series of videos which aim to instruct through humour. The clips are quite quirky and worth a gander.

Plenty of products and news this week, a smattering of features which range from environmental discoveries to an update on the charter industry, which is attracting clients from all walks of life and introducing them to the benefits of boating.

Also, the Australian Marine Alliance (AMA) echoes industry response to the decision by Federal Environment Minister, Greg Hunt to seek the Governor General to re-proclaim new Commonwealth marine reserves, invalidating Labor's management plans and exclusion zones which would have come into effect in July 2014. This will come as a relief to commercial fleets and recreational anglers, as well as the tourism industry, so we will follow its progress.

Another major story, which nearly slid past us in Queensland, is the commencement of works on the redevelopment of Darling Harbour. It's going to be a long-old slog, with the entire precinct overhauled to make way for a state of the art entertainment and convention centre, as well as a new neighbourhood, comprising apartments, retail and commercial areas.

The sketches don't do much to convey the proposed grandeur and scale of the new facilities. I am sure it will be a wonder and a fantastic new venue for the Sydney International Boat Show in 2017.

For the next three years, the indoor component of the nation’s largest recreational boating exhibition will be on show at a specially built interim facility at Glebe Island, to be known as the Sydney Exhibition Centre. Located under the Anzac Bridge, the facility will be accessible by road or ferry. The on-water component of the Show, the specially built floating marina on Cockle Bay, will remain with shuttles between the two venues.

This Saturday, our family will make the pilgrimage to Southport Yacht Club to see one-of-the-Santas (my kids are wising up) and sing carols as the Broadwater breezes and G&Ts take some of the edge of the humidity up here. We have all been nice, so we are expecting a bountiful bagful from the real Santa. I have asked for good health, a close approximation to sanity and many more years to enjoy both.

If you are planning time off, here's hoping for great weather, a traffic-free or delay-free passage and lots of time for recharging the batteries. We will remain on deck, so any news or information you want to share, just call or send it along.

'Twill be the night before Christmas next time I send a newsletter, but in the meantime, thank you all for another eventful and fun-filled year. Have a very happy Christmas and a bright, brilliant start to 2014.