MARINE BUSINESS NEWS
NEWS UPDATE
31 March 2023
Publishers note
Those who read Marine Business News, and in particular my weekly comments, will know that our friend Michelle Lee is on the verge of finishing her journey.
Many of you would have met Michelle during her many visits to boat shows around the country telling her story from the stage, show floor and occasionally during a function. Her then visits were to talk about and celebrate her crossing of the Atlantic which she did finishing in early 2019. That journey took just over 68 days and was part of an organised activity that involved many boats in various rowing categories.
That journey was special and in 2019 Michelle was named Australian Geographic Adventurer of the Year.
At time of writing, Michelle is only 96 NM from her planned destination in Cairns FNQ. According to her tracker, she has been on the water 237 days, 15 hours, 15 minutes and 32 seconds. What makes this extraordinary, like the Atlantic crossing, is that she has done it solo, non-stop and unassisted. The crossing of the Pacific, having left Mexico on the 8th August has not been without its challenges. The tracker reads that she has travelled 7695 NM. What makes it even more extraordinary is that there were no other boats attempting that crossing at the same time. This was truly solo and she very much depended on Roger ‘Clouds’ Badham for numerous daily calls to guide her on when and where to row. She survived a combination of nine hurricanes and cyclones. And it was people like Roger and a number of dedicated friends who became her ground crew that gave Michelle guidance and encouragement.
The big difference between her Atlantic crossing and this Pacific crossing is that she had a satellite phone, and wow didn’t she use it.
I have no doubt that when I next hit the keyboard, I will have seen Michelle in person. All going well, during these last few days she will have a safe passage into dock. If what I am hearing is correct, she will be home Monday.
We invite you to look at the many more stories on our website not seen in this newsletter, as well as links to resources, photo libraries, reviews, our international events calendar, our jobs board, and now an eNews log of our past Friday newsletters.
Our newsroom is open, and if your business has news to share, please let us know. Feel free to contact me or our team in the newsroom at newsroom@marinebusinessnews.com.au
Stay safe on the water,
Domenic Genua - Publisher
Michelle Lee – Homeward Bound
Now on the final stretch, Michelle Lee has covered over 300km over the last 8 days on her journey from the West Coast of Mexico to Australia. Rowing her boat ‘Australian Maid’ solo, non-stop and unassisted she is now down to the last 400km with a homecoming likely this side of Easter.
Ready for Boat Show season? Really?
The Boat Show season kicks off in just on two months and there are some important boxes to tick off as you prepare for success. I will condense the following into five (5) easy to implement ‘Tacktics’ (see what I did there).
Auckland Boat Show 2023 closes with good news for the NZ marine industry
“It’s all good news,” said one exhibitor, when describing the Auckland Boat Show, which closed today after a four day event. Reports of strong sales, quality attendees and a public ready to purchase have set the tone for the return of the Auckland Boat Show, which ran from 23 to 26 March in sunny Auckland conditions.
Easter crackdown on wearing lifejackets
More than one million Queenslanders hold recreational boating licences and there are more people than ever before out enjoying the state’s remarkable marine environment and great lifestyle.
How to choose a marina for your boat?
There are lots of factors that go into choosing the best marina for your boating experience. GCCM have detailed below what you should look for when making the decision on where to store your boat.
Twelve years as a Clean Marina
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Superyacht Australia hosts another epic “Endless Summer Party”
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Australia ‘got mojo back’ and ‘not fazed’ by rivals heading into gran final – Slingsby
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All-Female Team Changing the Game in the McConaghy 38 Competition
An inspiring group of women from all walks of life have teamed up to compete in the 2023 McConaghy 38 (MC38) competition, making waves as the first all-women’s team to challenge in the class.
Consultation opens on the review of the SE Marine Parks Network Management Plan & proposal to expand Macquarie Island Marine Park
The Director of National Parks is inviting public comments for a period of 60 days on two concurrent initiatives: The intention to prepare a draft management plan for the South-east Marine Parks Network, and The proposal to expand the existing Macquarie Island Marine Park.
AkzoNobel launches next generation Awlcraft 3000 with an enhanced color platform
AkzoNobel’s Awlgrip® yacht coatings brand is launching Awlcraft® 3000, the latest Awlgrip top coat to feature enhanced color technology delivering truer and deeper colors for professionals and boat owners.
Coral Sea Marina celebrates a decade!
This month marks 10 years since Coral Sea Marina Resort’s owner, Paul Darrouzet’s, acquisition of the Abell Point Marina. The past decade has seen a total transformation from a tired, run-down marina in receivership into Queensland’s first 5 Gold Anchor Platinum Marina, a world-class destination and the beating heart of the Whitsundays.
Epic voyage from Queensland to WA
Perhaps it is only with a Riviera 6000 Sport Yacht that a 28-day relocation could be so luxurious. A 3,301 nautical mile trip from Sanctuary Cove in Queensland to Mandurah in Western Australia is no mean feat. It’s a logistical exercise traversing three oceans that requires precision planning – and all this from a new owner on his first motor yacht.
Competitors endorse Sail Port Stephens changes in numbers
The adage ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ was ringing in the minds of Sail Port Stephens organisers after 15 successful years, however the decision to revamp the regatta formula for 2023 is paying dividends, with competitors embracing the changes ahead of the opening salvo on April 24.
