Marine Qld launches Boat Club offering member benefits

by Marine Qld on 18 Mar 2010 Marine Queensland will launch its new Boat Club on Friday, March 19 in conjunction with the 2010 Brisbane Tinnie & Tackle Show, offering members access to discounts and benefits.

“For a low annual fee of just $55 boat owners will gain access a wide range of discounted products and services simply by showing their Boat Club membership card wherever they see the Marine Queensland Boat Club sign displayed,” said the Club’s inaugural manager, Charles Dickson.

Dickson believes the majority of boat owners will be able to recover far more in benefits than their annual membership fee.

“Marine Queensland is liaising with its members to encourage them to provide discounts or special value added offers that will make Boat Club membership a valuable asset for all boat owners,” he said. “Club members will receive regular newsletters updating them about new product launches, new services, new initiatives and new events that will make life afloat so much more enjoyable.

'They’ll be invited to participate in a broad range of informative and practical training courses like basic boat and engine maintenance, radio operator certificates, coastal navigation, coping with medical emergencies at sea and many others. In many cases, these will be run in conjunction with established organisations like the VMR, Coastguard and qualified industry experts. In addition, they’ll have access to marine finance facilities, marine insurance, travel services and legal and general boating advice.

“The club also aims to provide a strong and cohesive voice through which Queensland’s 232,000 boat owners can reach the ears of all levels of government. For too long, the needs of Queensland’s boat owners have been largely ignored by all levels of Government. Through Boat Club, Marine Queensland will support calls for better on-water facilities, better access to boating destinations, better launching and retrieval facilities, better search and rescue facilities and a whole lot more.”

As an introductory offer, anyone buying a new boat at the 2010 Brisbane Tinnie & Tackle show will receive free Boat Club membership.

Dickson said the program delivers a win win solution for boat owners, Marine Queensland’s industry members and various levels of government. Club members will enjoy greater benefits at lower costs, Marine Queensland’s industry members benefit from additional business and incentives while the club’s direct communication channels with boat owners will assist Marine Queensland to provide more accurate and timely feedback to governments on an increasingly complex range of pressing issues.

Boat Club brochures and membership application forms will be distributed to all exhibitors at the 2010 Brisbane Tinnie & Tackle Show. This year’s show will be held at Brisbane’s RNA Showgrounds from March 19–21.

More at www.tinnieandtackle.com.au