Ocean polluters sent a strong message - Australian MarineBusinessWorld.com newsletter
by Peter Rendle 29 Oct 2020 23:00 UTC
RMS Patrol Vessel enforcing a perimeter around the salvage operation © NSW Maritime
Transport for NSW and the Land and Environment Court has sent a strong message to would-be polluters after a protracted investigation into illegal dumping in Sydney waters.
NSW Maritime Acting Executive Director Andrew Mogg said East Coast Wharf Constructions Pty Ltd and its director, Benjamin King, were charged with transportation of waste to a site that was not a waste facility, and occupying a place and using it as a waste facility under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act. "Transport for NSW investigators had Mr King and his company in their sights from as far back as 2015 when large sections of a pontoon which had been demolished by the company were stored at Mr King's mooring, and were subsequently found on the seabed at Pittwater," Mr Mogg said.
With the threat of Covid-19 reducing due to the extensive restrictions between borders, the boat show circuit has been seriously affected. However, there are signs life and a host of high-calibre luxury brands have joined the extensive line-up of exhibitors that will be on display at the Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival from November 13 to 15. The event will be Australia's first boat show in 2020 and a welcome platform for the marine industry to showcase their latest arrivals, while serving as an exciting precursor to the 2021 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in May. Major marques confirmed to showcase premium vessels include Horizon, Leigh-Smith Yachts, Riviera, Maritimo, Princess, Whitehaven, Alexander Marine and Clipper Motor Yachts, with multiple worldwide and Australian launches scheduled to take place.
Victorian boat builder, Whittley has made its own arrangements. Whittley NSW is excited to announce the new dealership's free Grand Opening Boat Show Weekend Sale on the 7th - 8th of November at the Sydney Boathouse in Rozelle. The event will feature on-the-water demonstrations on selected new 2021 Whittley models, a free BBQ, off water display and mega once-a-year deals across the entire range of locally made Whittley fiberglass boats. Brock Cohen, General Manager at Whittley NSW, had this to say about the mega opening event. "Since we have opened the new dealership in September, the brand has really hit the ground running with upwards of 17 new boats already sold across the state.
Meanwhile overseas, boat shows continue to take place and surrounded by the passion of sea life and breezing salty winds, the SMC International Yacht Show earned hundreds of yacht lovers' fondness to the Shenzhen Coast during October 15-18. During this favourable event, Heysea shifted their spotlight from the appealing Asteria 108 to their Catamaran Sailing Yacht - Seaview 56. Her exterior designer Bill Dixon used her slim lines to style her smoothness and shape a stereoscopic sense.
On the award front, IBI and METSTRADE, in association with Raymarine, have announced a special one-off virtual edition of the Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement in 2020. This year's awards will be held virtually during METSTRADE Connect online on December 10, from 4pm-5pm (CET) with five key awards - two of which will be entirely new categories spotlighting the industry's response to the Covid-19 crisis.
Locally the Boating Industry Association has launched a new lifejacket website to help boaters ensure they have the right information for a great day on the water. The BIA developed and built the site on behalf of the Australia New Zealand Safe Boating Education Group who identified a gap in information for the boating public relating to care and service of lifejackets. The website lifejackets.org.au is dedicated to providing boaters across the country with a single source of reliable information, especially regarding inflatable lifejackets.
Stay safe,
Peter Rendle peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com