Marine Qld calls all manufacturers

by Jeni Bone on 27 Jan 2009 Queensland manufacturers have answered the call to attend a meeting Monday 2 February, to discuss forming a Manufacturers Division of Marine Queensland, but there is room for many more.

According to Charles Dickson, division manager, as many as 20 are confirmed to attend, 'but I would be happy with twice as many as that'.

'We have a broad cross section of the industry - from Bundaberg and Caloundra to Brisbane and the Gold Coast - boat builders, naval architects and allied industries.

'There are a few high end builders, fibreglass trailerables, RIBs, plate alloy and tinnies, as well as suppliers and other manufacturers. The response has been good so far, but we would like to see more. We have the capacity for 50.'

The venue is the Garth Andrews Function Room, Southport Surf Lifesaving Club
Macarthur Parade, Main Beach, from 6pm Monday 2 February. To RSVP, contact Charles Dickson on Tel: (07) 5526 6440 or info@goldcoastmarineindustry.org

The initiative follows a series of face to face meetings between Gold Coast Division Manager, Charles Dickson and a broad cross section of local boat building companies.

Dickson says in his discussions with company CEOs one vital issue emerged: boat building standards for Australia need to be more clearly defined and enforced if we are to compete on a level playing field with imports from less experienced overseas manufacturers.

In conjunction with AMIF, the National Marine Safety Committee has entered into an agreement with Standards Australia to project manage the revision of Australian Standard AS1799.1 Small Craft – General Requirements for Powerboats.

The draft standard for AS1799.1 has been circulated to Queensland boat builders for comment. A copy of the revised Draft Standard can also be viewed at: www.standards.org.au (Click on Drafts for Public Comment and scroll down to document reference DR 08224). The revised standard is a key reference standard for the Australian Builders Plate and covers buoyancy, stability, fire protection and a range of other safety aspects for recreational boats of up to 15 metres LOA. Comments on the draft standard close on 1 March 2009.

Under the inter-governmental agreement that established the NMSC, there is an obligation on marine safety agencies to implement National Standards developed by NMSC as legal requirements.

“The proposal to form a Manufacturers Division will ensure that our industry has an active and authoritative voice in the standard setting process,” said Dickson.

“Queensland’s boat builders are being asked to review the current draft standard prior to the February 2 meeting. At the meeting, they will have the opportunity to form a Manufacturers Division within Marine Queensland. If approved, Marine Queensland’s Manufacturers Division will prepare a submission to the NMSC in response to the call for public comment relative to AS 1799.1. Subsequently, the Manufacturers Division will coordinate and submit formal responses, comments and input into this and future standards for the industry.”

Marine Queensland will also take the opportunity to update members on other initiatives aimed at assisting the manufacturing sector in the immediate future.