Partnership agreements are the flavour of this week's Australian MarineBusinessWorld.com newsletter
by Peter Rendle 15 Nov 2019 09:00 AEDT
Deckvest 6D - Latest technology by Spinlock © Spinlock
As we approach the opening of METSTRADE, the largest leisure marine trade show in the world, invitations to the various product launches and receptions have swamped our inboxes. We will include as many new releases as possible on the website.
One such company, Spinlock, will be attending the show that runs between 19 - 21 November in Amsterdam, Holland. One of the items on their stand will be the iconic next-generation Deckvest 6D lifejacket nominated for DAME Design Awards. The newly-launched Deckvest 6D lifejacket marks a new era for Spinlock and its popular Deckvest lifejacket range. With a design focus on perfect fit and smooth adjustment, the Deckvest 6D is simple, fast and intuitive to fit. Maintaining the iconic Deckvest look, the stylish Deckvest 6D positions it as much a piece of sportswear as a piece of safety equipment, making it yet another game-changer for this multi award-winning company.
Also exhibiting at METSTRADE is global communication company Inmarsat. Inmarsat will exhibit at the show this year for the first time as it continues to strengthen its presence in the superyacht sector. As the growth of digitalisation in the industry continues, Inmarsat is highlighting its unique capabilities to deliver reliable and flexible superyacht connectivity globally with its Yachting and Passenger portfolio of services, meeting current customer demand as well as introducing solutions to satisfy future requirements for communications on-board.
In the USA, the 60th annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show has seen a wave of sales by Australia's leading luxury motor yacht manufacturer, Maritimo. Sales of luxury motor yachts were once again in double digits as Maritimo shipped its award winning on-water brand experience to the USA for the premium American exhibit of the 2019 boat show calendar. The successful Ft Lauderdale boat show caps off a sales boom for Maritimo in 2019, which places Maritimo as one of the strongest growing brands in its sector. Maritimo Americas' President, Dave Northrop, said the response to the Australian manufactured vessels was extremely positive, and made it clear why more boaters are choosing Maritimo.
More activity involving the Australian industry and the USA occurred when the West Coast USA based Marine Recreation Association (MRA) and the Marina Industries Association (MIA) based in Australia entered into a collaborative agreement to launch the Global Gold Anchor program in North America. Gold Anchor was first developed in the United Kingdom in 1988 by The Yacht Harbours Association (TYHA). In 2009 the MIA launched its own program and in 2013 the two associations launched the single Global Gold Anchor program. The program is analogous with star ratings for accommodation with a strong focus on customer service.
And while we are on partnerships, in New Zealand Tectrax Ltd and Dunedin based alloy boat builders Southern Boats, have expanded their reach through a new partnership that will deliver an amphibious boat second to none. Both New Zealand owned, and operated businesses are well known for their high-quality products and together have designed what will be an impressive package that will change the way people think when considering their next boat.
In Australia Ribco, a leader in premium Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs), has been appointed the official chase boat partner for the Wild Oats XI Team. The Ribco superior performance RIBs will showcase on Sydney Harbour alongside the supermaxi yacht Wild Oats XI, as it races towards line honours in the 75th Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, 26th December 2019. From luxury tender to offshore performance machine, Ribco RIBs are positioned as the most seaworthy, versatile and well-built luxury performance RIBs available in the market today.
New products this week includes the announcement from French organisation Wichard. Wichard Pacific, a global leader and distributor of deck hardware, has announced the new generation NEX furlassist easy ratchet (two direction) furling system for optimal and safe furling. Seven standard models will be available in the range (0.9, 1.5, 2.5, 4.0, 6.5, 8.0 and 12.0) and a much broader range of terminals to adapt to each deck layout. Wichard will quote on sizes up to 20T.
Aveagooden!
Peter Rendle peter.rendle@sail-world.com