Sanctuary Cove closes on a positive note

Huge crowds and great weather for the 35th Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show added up to an event exhibitors have praised as “exceptional”. Setting records was the number of boats on the water – 356 in total, up 41 on last year – delivering an unparalleled display of marine power and beauty for everyone who attended.

Marinas24 – Expand, Exceed, Explore – and its only day one

Marinas24 welcomed guests last night on what was a beautiful and clear night on the forecourt of what would be the venue for the conference this year. With an undisputed need to spread their wings, the Marina conference moved to the Royal International Convention Centre (RICC) in Brisbane. 

ASMEX 2024 – Record number of international speakers and delegates

The ASMEX 2024 Conference, now in its thirteenth year, was held at the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort from Monday 20 May to Wednesday 22 May. The marine industry conference featured welcome networking drinks, a full day conference, industry tours and networking activities, culminating in the 2024 Australian Marine Industry Awards.

Tony Longhurst honoured

Tony Longhurst was recognised with the 2024 Marine Industry Champion of the Year Award at this year’s Australian Marine Industry Awards Gala Dinner, 22 May 2024. Held at the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort on the Gold Coast, Queensland, the event attracted marine and yachting industry professionals from around Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the US and Europe.

Club Marine launches market-leading policy updates

Club Marine has introduced a raft of enhancements to its boat insurance product that set significant new industry benchmarks and give policy holders greater freedom, flexibility, and clarity. It follows a comprehensive review of policy guidelines and terminology, tailored to include new boating trends and technologies while recognising that many owners now want to go further and, in some cases, faster when using their pride and joy.

Seavolt launches Australia’s first electric boat fast charging with d’Albora Marinas

d’Albora, Australia’s largest premium marina and hospitality network, and Seavolt, Australia’s first and only company dedicated to marine charging, have partnered to deliver Australia’s first DC fast charging network for recreational and commercial electric boats. Like cars, boats are going electric. 

Receivers’ sale for site of planned $250M Burnett Heads ‘Gateway’ Marina Development

Strong interest expected for Southern Great Barrier Reef marina site with approved plans for a waterfront residential community and 318 berth marina. A 70,000 sqm site at Burnett Heads, located off the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef and planned as a $250 million waterfront residential community has hit the market through Colliers on behalf of Todd Gammel and Barry Taylor of HLB Mann Judd.

Call for MIA members with SuperYacht Facilities, Project Development and Operations experience

Call for MIA members with SuperYacht Facilities Project Development and Operations experience to contribute to an update of current international Guidelines. In MIA’s 2023 Financial Report, President and Chairman Andrew Chapman reported that 17 marinas are certified as SuperYacht Ready.

All-new Mercruiser T8200 Tow Sport inboard to power the biggest watersports boats

Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation, has introduced the all-new MerCruiser® T8200 Tow Sport inboard. The engine is built on Mercury’s successful 8.2L V8 big-block platform and includes Smart Tow® digital control systems to transform the biggest water sports boats into the ultimate adrenaline machines.

First vessel in new fleet of next generation Parramatta River ferries enters service

The NSW Government has announced the first of seven new Parramatta Class ferries, which have been designed by leading digital shipbuilder Incat Crowther, is now in service in Sydney. The fleet of cutting-edge new ferries, which will service the busy Parramatta River commuter route, are being constructed in Tasmania, Australia by Richardson Devine Marine.

International connections

It was a diverse and international attendance at the 14th annual Rivergate Marina & Shipyard and AIMEX VIP Dinner Tuesday 22 May, held once again at Ioesco Café Cucina in the Sanctuary Cove Marine Village. Guests included conference keynote speakers and panellists, as well as delegates from around the country, NZ and Asia-Pacific.

Women are making in-roads into the male-dominated boating domain thanks to Freedom Boat Club

Traditionally, leisure boating has been a heavily male-dominated domain. But Freedom Boat Club is changing that demographic rapidly, with more and more women taking the helm thanks to Freedom Boat Club’s fresh approach. Globally fewer than one per cent of seafarers are female, according to the Australian Gender Equality Council. An estimated two per cent are boat owners.

Australian shipbuilder completes multipurpose research vessel

Western Australia’s capabilities in marine science and fisheries research have been bolstered through the introduction of a purpose-designed and built research vessel.  Acquired to undertake fisheries research and science activities throughout Western Australian waters, the new vessel replaced DPIRD’s ageing RV George Cassels.

Coral Sea Marina Launches Documentary-Style Series in celebration of World Boating Day

World Boating Day (25 – 26 May) is a global initiative designed to encourage people to embark on a journey into unchartered waters and gain unprecedented access to the world of leisure boating. Where better to celebrate World Boating Day, than Australia’s leading marine industry event, the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show?