NEWS UPDATE26 December 2025 Publishers noteI hope all our readers enjoyed a safe and relaxed Christmas Day spent with family and friends. If you are reading this on Boxing Day and are not already on Sydney Harbour, I hope you find a moment to tune into Channel 9 to watch the start of the 2025 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Coverage is scheduled to commence at 12.30pm (AEDT), ahead of the official race start at 1.00pm (AEDT). As always, it is one of the great fixtures on the Australian sporting and boating calendar and a reminder of the enduring appeal of our on-water culture. If you enjoy a bit of competition, don’t miss our story on how you can participate in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race virtually. Looking ahead, our next major day on the water will be New Year’s Eve. I do hope you are able to enjoy the occasion, wherever you may be, and return refreshed and ready for what we all hope will be a positive and productive 2026. For readers on and around Port Stephens in New South Wales, please note that a powered vessel free zone trial commenced the day before Christmas. We have published a story this week outlining what this means and how it may affect local waterway use. Also in the news, the Boating Industry Association, together with a number of industry stakeholders, has launched a media campaign aimed at promoting the safe and responsible use of personal watercraft across NSW. Best wishes to all our readers for a wonderful and prosperous 2026. Our News Desk will remain open over the coming weeks, and we will continue to publish news to our website as it comes to hand. As always, my selection of top stories leads this eNews, with the remainder grouped in the summaries below. We do hope you enjoy this week’s news. Marine Business News is an Australian-owned marine industry news service publishing local and international news. If you have news stories you would like to share, please let us know by contacting our newsroom via our email at NewsRoom@MarineBusinessNews.com.au. Stay safe on the water, Powered vessel free zone trial starts this week in Port StephensFrom Wednesday 24 December, specified areas of high-use swimming locations including Dutchman’s Beach, Nelson Bay Beach (Fly Point) and Shoal Bay will be designated zones where powered vessels – including personal watercraft such as jet skis – will be temporarily restricted. Industry launches PWC Behaviour Campaign and unveils 5-Point Plan for Government actionThe Boating Industry Association Ltd (BIA) in collaboration with the PWC Industry Manufacturers has launched a media campaign designed to promote the safe and responsible use of personal watercraft (PWC) which includes Seadoo, Jet Ski and WaveRunner craft on New South Wales (NSW) waterways.Join Virtual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht RaceJoin thousands of sailors from around the globe as you navigate the same 628 nautical miles course as the elite fleet, battling the elements and implementing race strategy on your phone, Set Your Course: Real-Time Competition. Bureau launches free long-range marine heatwave forecasts for AustraliaAustralians can now access free long-range marine heatwave (MHW) forecasts on the Bureau of Meteorology’s Long-range ocean forecasts pages, providing guidance on the likelihood, location and predicted severity of marine heatwaves around Australia up to four months ahead. Make a splash, not a mistake: Queenslanders urged to stay safe on the water this summerQueensland authorities are sounding the alarm as summer arrives, warning boaties and beachgoers that one reckless decision on the water could turn a day of fun into tragedy. Queensland Water Police and partner agencies will be ramping up patrols across coastal and inland waterways, cracking ... AMSA on watch over the holidaysAs we approach the busiest time of the year on our waterways and coastline, the AMSA is reminding Australians to be prepared and to stay safe when out and about. This holiday season, AMSA’s Response Centre is available 24/7, monitoring and responding to distress calls and emergencies from anywhere ... Riviera announces Australasian Dealer Awards for 2025Australian luxury motor yacht builder Riviera, has announced their Australasian Dealer Awards at the recent Dealer Principals meeting held on the Gold Coast. Riviera Australia owner Rodney Longhurst praised the efforts of the company’s Australasian dealer network and the award winners on ... Algae monitoring buoys ahoy!Six hi-tech monitoring buoys which will automatically detect future harmful algal blooms before they reach our shores are being deployed across South Australian waters. The state-of-the-art oceanographic moorings are equipped with specific sensors for early detection of key harmful algal bloom (HAB) species such as Karenia. If a HAB species is ... CHAPMAN brokers the sale of Australian icon, Crystal LadyCHAPMAN Yachting in collaboration with Short Marine have successfully sealed the deal on the multi-million-dollar sale of the magnificent 35m Crystal Lady – a custom-designed Warren Yachts superyacht and a true icon of Australian boat building. Acting as Buyer’s agent, CHAPMAN worked with ... GLI strengthens presence as Fairway Motor Yachts makes a triumphant returnThe Boat Works has become a major hub for boat sales in Australia, bringing together many of the nation’s leading boat brokers and a wide selection of new and pre-owned vessels. The precinct also offers boat maintenance, repair and refit services, and ... It will be necessary to click on “View Entire Message” in some browsers to view this entire eNews. |