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Person Behind the Face 6 | Business Matters 10 | Marketing 19 | People 23 | Profi le 24
FAIRLINE YACHTS SOLD
Fairline Yachts has been sold to Hanover Investors for an undisclosed sum.
The luxury boatbuilder says it is currently enjoying a buoyant global market and the sale capitalises on this.
“It is a testament to the hard work of the team here at Fairline, that a fi rm with the calibre of Hanover Investors has decided to back us,” said Peter McNulty, Fairline Yachts CEO. “It has an excellent track record of working with companies through its world class approach to integrating both investment and operations, with a particular focus on internationalising companies.”
He added: “While we already have an impressive international footprint, with Hanover by our side, I know we can go a lot further and faster.”
Jason Carley, senior partner of Hanover Investors, was a board member at Fairline Yachts for nine months until March 2021. He was also senior portfolio manager at RiverRock that took a majority stake in the boatbuilder in 2020.
“It is great to be back on board with Fairline. I know from my previous involvement with the company how much potential it has. It has a very strong order book, an exciting product range and the factory is very busy. We are going to back the management team and the company as a whole to unlock the value within it and to catalyse its growth.”
The transaction was carried out via Hanover Active Equity Fund II.
8 CGI of Fairline Yacht's re-imagined flagship model, the
Squadron 68, due to launch at boot Düsseldorf 2022
NEWS
Sir Peter dies Navico acquisition Legal action pages 1-9
MAST, SAILS, SPARS AND RIGGING
New furlers Mast tapering solved New kits pages 12-17
1,000 boat orderbook
HanseYachts incoming orderbook has exceeded 1,000 boats for the fi rst time in its history.
The record follows an 'exceptional' year for the company with revenue of more than EUR 230 million recorded during its 20/21 fi nancial year to June 30 after deduction of the dealer margin. In order to achieve its goal of increasing revenue to EUR 200 million with an EBITDA margin of 10%, the boatbuilder will launch a new outboard motorboat brand for boats in the 24ft to 39ft range.
The boats are planned to be released for the fi rst quarter of the fi nancial year 2021/2022 and will be built at a new site the boatbuilder has bought, adjacent to its existing base.
The new base is 27,500 sqm in size, a 40% increase that will increase the boatbuilders' capacity by up to 250 boats.
Supply issues are proving diffi cult for HanseYachts with up to 65 boats - with a value of EUR 10 to 15 million - that are built and 99% complete but still waiting for a few components.
“After Corona-related production delays between November 2020 and March 2021, problems in the supply chains aff ected the completion of boats from April 2021 onwards,” said a company statement. “Suppliers throughout Europe temporarily lacked raw materials to produce stainless steel products and electronic components, as well as upholstery and toilets.”
The delay means the company's EBITDA forecast has been adjusted downwards.
POWER AND PROPULSION
Hybrid potential Record attempt New features pages 18-22
ROPES LIMITTESTED TO THE
VIEWPOINT
KATINA READ | Editor
kread@boatingbusiness.com
Bumper summer of boating
There’s no doubt there’s been a boating boom recently.
It appears that almost everything that fl oats has been taken out of a shed or garage or unearthed from a compound, dusted off , and been launched.
Whether it’s a paddleboard, kayak, dinghy, powerboat, motorboat, narrowboat or yacht - either the craft has found its way to a new owner or existing owners are remembering they did once enjoy getting out onto the water.
People have realised there’s plenty to do and enjoy both around the British coastline and on its inland waterways – one positive to come out of the pandemic.
This has inevitably had an eff ect on suppliers who have struggled to keep up with demand – a good problem to have some might say, though I’m sure it’s a headache to manage.
Now, with the remaining Covid restrictions due to be lifted shortly and the resulting increase in available activities, the question is how to keep all these people interested in boating and enjoying the water.
Reliability and good service are both going to be key – customers will need to be left with a positive experience and our industry will need to make sure the opportunities presented by Covid are not wasted.
On the water
Even with restrictions lifted, many people will still want to adhere to social distancing and what better way is there to do this than to be on the water?
British Marine and the Canal & River Trust have carried out research which has – unsurprisingly – found that regularly spending time on the water could be even more benefi cial to our wellbeing than mindfulness activities such as yoga or Pilates.
And apparently the more time that is spent on the water, the greater the benefi t in terms of lowering anxiety levels, again no real surprises there.
To help point potential boaters in the right direction and make it easier for them to fi nd how to access their chosen activity, BM has launched its latest ‘on the water’ website, designed to connect people wanting to have a go with those providing the watersports.
Anything to make it easier for people to have a go must be welcomed, but this opportunity does need businesses and organisations to enter their details and get behind it, something many are not always so good at.
It’s looking like 2021 will be a bumper summer for boating but we’ve all got to make sure the opportunities are followed through into 2022.
The pandemic has been dreadful, but now that we’re coming out the other side, let’s not throw away the opportunities it’s given the industry.
CHARGING POINTS FOR LONDON CANAL
Electric charging points are being installed in Islington as part of a drive to provide eco visitor moorings on the Regent's Canal.
The installation is being carried out by the Canal & River Trust working with Islington Council and supported by funding from The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Aff airs (DEFRA).
The electrical power supply points will be at Colebrooke Row, Caledonian Road and York Way (the latter to be available from August 2021).
Although the overall air pollution impact of canal boats is relatively localised and minor compared with road traffi c emissions, research from the Canal & River Trust has shown that the people with the highest exposure and health risks are boaters themselves.
The eco visitor moorings will enable boaters to reduce their reliance on using their engines, or diesel generators, for energy to support a greener way of life.
8 Eco friendly visitor moorings
will soon be available in Islington, London
CHANGES AT THE TOP AT BAVARIA YACHTS
Marc Diening is to succeed Michael Müller as Bavaria Yachts CEO.
Marc currently is CEO at a fi re protection company, prior to his role there, he spent more than ten years in a management position at Bombardier and worked as a consultant for other companies.
Michael took on management of Bavaria Yachts in 2019 and will now move to the advisory board.
“We are thrilled to welcome Marc Diening on board at Bavaria Yachts,” said Kai Brandes, managing partner of Bavaria investor CMP. “With his proven record of success in sustainable development of companies and his personal qualities, we are certain that Marc Diening is the right person and has the consistency required to continue the course Bavaria has mapped out and to lead us into the next chapter of new products and solid growth with his own accents.”
Michael Müller began his career at Bavaria Yachts in November 2018 with the entrance of the new investor Capital Management Partners (CMP), initially as marketing and sales director.
He was appointed CEO in February 2019.
He is standing down in order to spend more time with his family.
“Thanks to his experience restructuring companies, his leadership style and his personal motivation to make Bavaria Yachts one of Europe's leading shipyards once more, Bavaria has turned a corner and is back on a good course,” said Kai. “We are pleased that Michael Müller will continue to support Bavaria Yachts with his experience as a member of the advisory board.”
The handover will take place with eff ect from August 1.
8 Marc Diening will take over
the top role at Bavaria on August 1
Sir Peter Harrison has died, aged 84. Sir Peter, whose fi rst time on the water was on the Norfolk Broads with the scouts, was the founder of the Peter Harrison Foundation.
He grew up in Cheshire and became a chartered accountant at the age of 21.
His career progressed to include appointments at Ford Motor Company and at Firth Cleveland.
In 1971 he joined the Crest Nicholson Group, which at the time was acquiring other companies including the Camper & Nicholsons shipyard of which Sir Peter was made chief executive.
In 1978 he acquired Chernikeeff , one of the companies in the Crest Nicholson Group.
The business produced instruments to measure the speed and distance travelled by vessels, instruments that were designed to be fi tted through a watertight valve in a vessel's hull - a
SIR PETER HARRISON DIES
breakthrough compared to previous instruments that were dragged behind vessels.
Sir Peter developed Chernikeeff into the largest privately held computer networking company in the UK a move which enabled him to sell out for £300m in 1999 / 2000.
He used the money to set up the Peter Harrison Foundation which focuses on the personal development of disabled and disadvantaged young people and in 2003 sponsored a British America's Cup bid.
It involved him buying to Japanese Nippon Challenge boats for practice and setting up the GBR Challenge Team which built two monohull boats on the Isle of Wight, GBR70 - Wight Lightning - and GBR78 - Wight Magic.
The team lost in the quarter fi nals to Dennis Conner's Stars & Stripes of the New York Yacht Club concluding that they hadn't had enough time to build and test thoroughly enough.
He was knighted in 2013 in recognition of his philanthropic work.
Marine gyro stabilisation company Smartgyro has moved to a larger HQ in La Spezia, Italy.
The new base incorporates larger areas for assembly and testing as well as more general offi ce space.
The expansion will help the company with its plans to become one of the world's leading stabilisation suppliers.
GYRO COMPANY EXPANSION
“We are confi dent that we have developed an innovative and advanced solution that has exceptional advantages for boat builders and boat owners,” said Marcel Borsboom, Smartgyro CEO. “In fact, we are already receiving signifi cant interest and very positive feedback from OEMs who recognise the outstanding innovations in our products.”
The range, which currently consists of the SG40 and SG80 models, will soon be expanded with models for smaller boats. The stabilisers feature a modular mechanical design and can be assembled inside a boat and serviced while onboard.
BRIEFS
August features
August’s Boating Business features will be Boatbuilding and Water Systems. Boatbuilding will include a look at the some of the latest products being used in this sector, case studies and thoughts on the topic while Water Systems will include the latest in watermakers, fi lters and pumps. If you have any relevant news for either of these features, please send info and a photo to editor@boatingbusiness. com by Wednesday July 21 at the latest so it can be considered for inclusion in the issue.
Power
Kreisel Electric will supply the battery for each electric RaceBird powerboat competing in the E1 Series, set to begin in early 2023. Using hydrofoil technology, the powerboats rise above the water’s surface, giving minimum drag and maximum energy effi ciency. Kreisel’s bespoke solution features batteries with 150kW peak power and 35kW capacity, aimed at enabling the RaceBirds to accelerate speedily and go for longer between charges.
Youth sailing
Junior Off shore Group (JOG) has launched a new youth programme to support and promote the next generation of sailors, bridging the gap between youth dinghy sailing and off shore keelboat racing. Generation JOG is geared towards those aged 25 years old and under who are either new or existing members.
BRIEFS
Canal extension
The Grand Canal Greenway is to be extended from the 12th Lock to Hazelhatch Bridge after the Irish government allocated an additional €1.4m to South Dublin County Council for the completion of the works by 2022. The funding forms part of the Department of Transport’s Greenway Programme worth €63.5m, the highest single year amount ever allocated to this type of infrastructure.
35 deliveries
Business is booming at Nautor’s Swan with 35 yachts due to be delivered this summer with a value of more than €200m. In recent months Nautor has launched three new maxis – the Swan 120, ClubSwan 123 and the fourth 98 – together with Swans 48s, 58s, 65 and 78.
Roadshow
The Aquafax Roadshow will run from 12th24th July 2021 using Mastervolt’s demo van. Products on show will include the new MLI 1250 Lithium-Ion batteries, power inverter and battery charging solutions, and CZone digital switching and power monitoring. The event is free to attend, and visitors do not need to book tickets. There will also be products from Blue Sea Systems, BEP and Whale. The roadshow will start at Falmouth Marina on July 12 and take in destinations including Cardiff , Largs, Glasgow, Hull, Kent and Hamble. Further information can be found at www. aquafax.co.uk
BRUNSWICK AGREES TO BUY NAVICO
Brunswick Corporation has agreed to buy electronics group Navico for US $1.05 billion.
As a result of this acquisition, Brunswick will add the Lowrance, Simrad, B&G and C-MAP brands to its Advanced Systems Group (ASG).
“The acquisition of Navico and its awardwinning brands will immediately accelerate Brunswick's autonomy, connectivity, electrifi cation and shared-access) strategy, and support our vision to deliver distinctive new products and technology-enabled experiences,” said Dave Foulkes, Brunswick Corporation CEO. “We will continue to invest both in organic initiatives and acquisitions to maintain our position of global product leadership, and the addition of Lowrance, Simrad, B&G and C-MAP to
Andrew Millar, who worked as marina manager for MDL Marinas has died suddenly.
our existing brand portfolio will further strengthen our ability to provide complete, innovative digital solutions to consumers and comprehensive, integrated systems off erings to our OEM customers.”
For the 12 months ended May 31 2021, Navico's revenues were around US $470 million.
Revenues
With the addition of the Navico, Brunswick expects its parts and accessories brands to have revenues in excess of US $2 billion.
Navico is currently based in Egersund, Norway, co-owned by Altor Fund IV and Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
It manufactures multifunction displays, fi sh fi nders, autopilots, sonar, radar, and cartography and serves major powerboat and sailing markets - both recreational and commercial.
“After a strong period of growth, we are very excited about joining the Brunswick family to further
8 Navico is to become part
of Brunswick's Advanced Systems Group
strengthen our off ering and support our customers going forward,” said Knut Frostad, Navico's president and CEO.
It is anticipated Navico's management team will remain in place.
The deal is anticipated to be fi nalised during the second half of 2021.
Brunswick will use a combination of debt and cash on its balance sheet to fund the acquisition.
ANDREW MILLAR DIES SUDDENLY
Andrew had worked with MDL for four years, initially at Brixham Marina and most recently as marina manager at Ocean Village Marina with additional responsibility for managing the boatyard at Saxon Wharf.
In his spare time, Andrew volunteered at hospital radio where he hosted an award-winning breakfast show at weekends.
Originally from Scotland, he moved around the country carrying out various roles in the leisure and hospitality industry.
After spending several years working in London in large leisure and entertainment venues, he 'ran away to sea'.
His time at sea saw him as senior offi cer on board various cruise ships before returning to dry land and taking up the position as product manager for Carnival UK, that operates P&O Cruises and Cunard's fl eet of 11 ships.
He was instrumental in Cunard becoming one of the fi rst major sponsors of Southampton Pride.
After 14 years, he decided to change tack and take up the opportunity to manage Brixham Marina.
Innovative pads that eliminates rope chafe damage to cockpit sides and cabin tops have become more widely available in Europe.
Marine equipment distributor Osculati s.r.l, has been appointed as stockist/ distributor for Wear And Tear Pads in Europe.
“These simple self - adhesive stainless steel 'pads' protect gel coat surfaces from rope and
EUROPEAN BOOST FOR ANTI-CHAFE PADS
line chafe and over 16,000 have now been sold around the world,” said Andrew Grogono, inventor of the pads.
Pointing out that chafed gelcoat aff ects sale value, he added: “The pads are guaranteed to never wear out and now utilise the world's leading '3 M' VHB adhesive system which assures the best possible bond to the gel coat surface.”
Ex aerospace engineer Andrew runs the Wear And Tear Pads business with his wife on their premises near Bristol, where all production is carried out.
Launched in 2009, the pads were the fi rst product of their type on the market and are particularly suitable for sheets and furling lines.
They are supplied ready to fi t immediately, with no screws or fi xing necessary, unlike normal 'rubbing strakes'.
In addition to Osculati in Europe, the pads are stocked by distributors globally including Force 4 in the UK, Compass 24 in Germany, Marine Outfi tters in Canada and Sailboat Owners in the US.
A museum has begun legal action to return the iconic Bluebird to its rightful owner after relationships have 'irretrievably broken down'.
Donald Campbell was killed whilst trying to set a new water speed record on Coniston Water in 1967. The wreckage of his Bluebird K7 was gifted in 2006 by the Campbell family to the Coniston Institute & Ruskin Museum which passed the craft to Bill Smith to restore. An engineer from Tyneside, Mr Smith was instrumental in the recovery of Bluebird, leading a team to raise the wreckage in 2001.
Restoration work commenced but, despite the completion of an £800,000 purpose-built extension to house the boat in 2010, the museum is yet to see the boat's return.
In January last year Mr Campbell's daughter Gina urged Mr Smith to return the boat to its rightful owners to no avail. The museum trustees have now taken the decision to begin legal action.
“It is with profound sadness that the trustees of the Coniston Institute & Ruskin Museum can confi rm they have started the process against Bill Smith and the directors of The Bluebird Project to gain possession of their property namely the record breaking jet hydroplane K7 formerly owned by Donald Campbell CBE,” said the museum in a statement.
“This action is very much the last resort, with relationships having irretrievably broken down in late 2019, following eff orts by the museum and the Campbell Family Heritage Trust who gifted the boat to the museum in 2006, to fi nd an amicable solution to the claims made by Mr Smith regarding ownership and his intentions for the boat,” the statement added.
LEGAL ACTION TO RETURN BLUEBIRD TO MUSEUM
Photo: Tony Armstrong-Sly/Flickr
8 Donald Campbell died
whilst trying to break the water speed record on Coniston Water
BRIEFS
Accredited
Marlow Ropes has been accredited as a member of Made in Britain enabling the manufacturer to adopt the offi cial, protected mark of the organisation. The mark is intended to help buyers recognise products as being of good quality, great value and British-made.
SOLAS approval
Williams Jet Tenders has gained SOLAS approval for its Dieseljet 505 and 565 with eff ect from October this year. The SOLAS regulations aff ect many aspects of the tender build and quality control, including recording factory temperatures at all stages. As part of the process, the tenders also have to undergo a series of tests including a 3m drop test, self-righting and overload lifting, as well as an endurance and heavy weather trials.
Partnership
Wuzzos has partnered with the Yacht Club de Monaco to supply members with exclusive boat shoes. Launching with two colours for men and women, the shoes are embellished with the Yacht Club de Monaco logo and arrive to the customer in a bespoke YCM cotton bag and dual branded shoe box.
Refi lls
Pinmar Yacht Supply and Ecoworks Marine have teamed up to introduce the company’s fi rst instore refi ll station for the EcoYacht Wash product, aimed at providing customers with savings and reducing single use plastic.
Rolls-Royce puts H2 Fuel Cell to the test
Rolls-Royce Power Systems is putting a 250kW hydrogen fuel cell to the test at its Friedrichshafen plant in southern Germany.
Fuel cells have very high effi ciency levels when generating electricity from hydrogen and oxygen. When run on pure hydrogen, they emit only water vapour as well as being low-noise, low-maintenance and vibration-free.
“The greatest benefi t is when they are run on regeneratively produced hydrogen because this enables polluting and climate-damaging gas emissions to be fully eliminated,” said Dr Peter Riegger, vice pesident Rolls-Royce PowerLab. “This gives fuel cells a huge potential to become a major technology for decarbonising propulsion and electrical power supply systems."
The complex hydrogen infrastructure, which requires a lot of investment, is now installed at the plant and the container set up with its four l ow-temperature PEM fuel cell modules
The energy systems using fuel cell modules from the automotive sector have been successfully tested and the next step is to connect all four demo modules together in the container and hook up the batteries and power circuit.
The demonstrator will be used to show interested parties which applications the system is suitable for. These include standby power, prime power, uninterruptible power supplies and black start capability which allows the system to be started without a mains connection.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch’s annual report for 2020 highlights the vulnerability of passengers on highspeed personal watercraft and reiterates the need for adequate carbon monoxide alarms.
The year was a mixed picture in terms of accidents with a muchreduced number reported during the initial Covid-19 pandemic lockdown of March to May.
Rates of incidents
MAIB ANNUAL REPORT 2020
increased, although still at a lower level than the fi ve-year average, until the summer when a dramatic spike brought overall numbers of reported accidents up to normal levels.
Fatality
The MAIB raised 1,217 reports of marine accidents and incidents during 2020 and launched 19 investigations, ten of which involved at least one fatality.
Two men lost their lives on board the motor cruiser Diversion when they were overwhelmed by carbon monoxide and a 15-year-old girl lost her life when the RIB she was travelling in collided with a navigation buoy in Southampton Water. The MAIB has issued safety bulletins in response.
THEPERSONBEHINDTHEFACE
Kiran Haslam
Interview by Alice Driscoll
How I got into this industry...
A long and winding path. I had established a reputation for re-inventing brands, and back in 2014 the owners of Princess were hoping I could jump aboard and shake things up.
Best advice I’ve ever received...
Don't take yourself too seriously but take how you impact people and the world around you very seriously.
One thing the industry needs less of is...
Boat shows. Ha!...and although that is indeed true, on a more pressing note, we need to stop living in the past. The future is now, and we need to clean up our act to design greener products and produce them in a cleaner way.
Most hated buzzword or workplace expression...
“Content is king.” I mean really? Urgh.
Best place I’ve been...
This is incredibly hard to answer. I have been a nomad my entire life, and along with my wife and kids I have lived and worked in over 11 diff erent countries. Even my cat has moved with us and lived in six diff erent countries. However, stand outs have been: fl oating in the Red Sea of Saudi Arabia; The San Bernardo Archipelago in the Gulf of Morrosquillo - off the coast of Colombia; in the depths of the Amazon rainforest canoeing along the Rio Urubu tributaries away from civilisation living entirely off the fl ora and fauna; piloting my old 1973 Porsche 914 down towards Philip Island in my home state of Victoria, Australia; or on the remote white beach of Fins in The Sultanate of Oman, where I proposed to my wife.
Don't worry about...
Failure. Enjoy the journey of trying and working out a way through any challenge.
Favourite meal...
Most recently, prior to lockdowns, a tiny little pop-up restaurant in Angers (France) called Ronin. It is run by a young family, really pushing the boundaries of culinary brilliance. Oh, and it is entirely plant-based, which works well with my strictly vegan approach to life.
One thing I couldn’t live without...
Music. As the legendary Frank Zappa (one of my all-time heroes) once said “Music is the only religion that delivers the goods.”
How I cope with stress...
I play guitar. I have guitars in just about every room of my house. I have a guitar hanging on the wall in my offi ce at work, and when those moments arise - and boy do they arise! - I shut the door, grab the guitar and get swept into understanding that there is a lot more to all of this than whatever insignifi cant thing that is stressing me out.
Something about you that people might be surprised by...
In my formative years I toured the world as a musician and composed music for fi lm and television, but I think the most surprising thing would be the fact that I always aspired to be an ichthyologist - and so as a kid, I literally committed the scientifi c names of thousands of obscure freshwater fi sh from Doctor Axelrod's Fish Atlas to memory via the osmotic fl ow of merely being passionate about the subject - aka I'm a fi sh nerd!”
Kiran Haslam is chief marketing offi cer for Princess Yachts Limited
Other fatalities in 2020 that the MAIB is investigating include a fatality following a collision between a RIB and a PWC and a man overboard from a Norfolk Broads cruiser.
New autopilot test boat launches
A new trials and demonstration boat testing the feasibility of smart autopilot software for commercial and recreational vessels has launched.
The RoboRat has been developed by Robosys Automation, makers of the Voyager autonomous navigation system, in collaboration with Ring Powercraft, Ambex Marine and Domo Tactical Communications (DTC).
The vessel is currently in the Solent with trials scheduled throughout the summer.
The RoboRat is designed for inshore reconnaissance and surveying. It is the smallest of the new Ring Powercraft range of unmanned surface vessels, designed in collaboration with Robosys. It is fi tted with SIMRAD navigational equipment and electronics by Ambex Marine. Livestreamed data will be evaluated by DTC.
The Voyager software takes information from the onboard chart system, radar, AIS and imagery to plan a safe route in accordance with collision regulations and can be calibrated to support any power-driven vessel.
Later this year, Robosys will install Voyager on two larger ocean-going vessels for similar trials in a variety of environmental and operating conditions.
Members of the UK marine industry have been recognised in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours List.
Chief executive of British Marine, Lesley Robinson, and managing director of SeaSafe, Jeremy Dale, have both been awarded an OBE for services to the leisure industry and services to maritime safety respectively.
Lesley has been at the helm of British Marine for the past three years, creating a national agenda to deliver what members need and overseeing improvements to the Southampton International Boat Show such as creating its new Sustainability Pledge. She said she was beyond humbled and proud to receive the OBE.
“I share this honour with the whole team at British Marine, including our staff , board, council and committee members and want to thank them for all their hard work and contribution to this achievement,” she said.
Safety at sea
Jeremy Dale took over SeaSafe nearly 29 years ago,
MARINE INDUSTRY FETED IN BIRTHDAY HONOURS
Photo: SeaSafe
overseeing its production of safety products such as infl atable coats, MOB equipment and lifejackets. With 30 years' experience in marine pilotage, Jeremy is an Honorary Member of the Nautical Institute and a Member of the UK Maritime Pilots Association.
SeaSafe is a 100% British manufacturer supplying bespoke clothing and equipment from its site in Cowes on the Isle of Wight. “We've looked after marine pilots for 50 years. Our products are designed by pilots for pilots,” Jeremy told Boating Business magazine. “We're not interested in sales, we're interested in the person. If it's not the right product, we won't sell it,” he added.
On his award, Jeremy told Boating Business, “I'm thrilled to be recognised. But like all these things, it's about the people around you. It's a team eff ort, the majority of people have worked with me for over 20 years,” he said.
Supporting healthcare workers
Also receiving honours were Suff olk Sails' Matthew Read and Simon Scammell who were both awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to frontline health workers throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
As hospitals admissions surged, instead of making sails and covers for boats, Matthew and Simon decided to use the fi rm's 3D printing equipment to make PPE for health workers. "A friend of mine is a doctor and he said he saw people 3D printing visors. I thought I would do some for Ipswich Hospital,” said Matthew. "I had to pull my fi nger out to do it. We were sending them to Wales, Scotland and all over the country,” he added. On being awarded his honour, he said, “It's still a bit surreal - it hasn't really sunk in.”
8 Jeremy Dale, MD of
SeaSafe, who was awarded an OBE in this year's Queen's birthday honours
PANDEMIC A 'SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY' FOR YACHTS
Denison Yachting has reported an increase in fi rst quarter sales for 2021 across its international, US and Florida markets, thanks in part to the Covid-19 pandemic boosting the interest in luxury yachts.
The company has experienced one of its best ever years, selling 83 superyachts in 2020 and more than 40 in the fi rst quarter of 2021 alone.
“Our industry is still riding the great wave of 2020,” said Bob Denison, president of Denison Yachting. “Our fi rst quarter numbers set new records for us across all revenue categories.”
Special opportunity
Global yacht sales are experiencing their best fi rst quarter performance since 2018 with travel restrictions increasing people's desire for safe ways to enjoy their leisure time. “Yachting's competitive industries, such as skiing and higher-end vacation
8 Denison Yachting has seen
sales increase thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic
Photo: Denison Yachting
experiences like cruises, are still being aff ected by extended lockdowns, which have created a special opportunity for our industry,” Bob added.
The US makes up around one-third of global boat sales. In North America, 9,336 boats were sold in Q1 2021 compared to 6,526 boats in the same period in 2020. Europe and Asia also experienced a strong fi rst quarter with a signifi cant increase in yacht sales compared to Q1 2020 and 2019.
Florida is among the most desirable boating destinations. The third most populous state makes up around 25 to 30% of all U.S. boat sales. Florida experienced its best Q1 in more than ten years with a leap of 1,008 more boats sold in Q1 2021 than Q1 2020.
BRIEFS
Award
Bilgeaway has won the British Safety Industry Federation’s Water Pollution Award for its bilge discharge fi lter. In its entry, the team behind Bilgeaway explained how the fi lter was developed to address a well-known pollution problem. Bilgeaway traps contaminants before they’re discharged overboard by automatic bilge pumps, rendering the fi lter’s contents non-reactive so they can be safely disposed of, instead of going to landfi ll.
Development
A coastal development in Essex fi rst proposed more than four decades ago is due to begin in November with a public consultation currently underway. The Colne Marina development, which was given the go-ahead for planning in 1976, will see 25 additional moorings added to the existing 90 at Brightlingsea’s waterfront.
Distributor
Osculati has appointed Marathon Leisure as distributor of Oscualti branded products for the UK. “Oscualti has grown a great reputation in our market, but since the UK has left the EU, it has made it harder for smaller and mediumsized customers to buy direct from Osculati due to the extra UK imposed importing procedures,” Tim Millinder, Marathon Leisure MD. “By stocking a core range, which will naturally grow, we can help Osculati maintain their excellent product availability in the marketplace.”
BRIEFS
New owners
Guernsey chandlery Boatworks+ is under new ownership following its sale to local businessman, Peter Tom CBE. Boatworks+ is a one-stop marine services centre on the southside of St Peter Port harbour. It has been one of Guernsey’s providers of maritime repairs and maintenance programmes for more than 30 years.
Packaging
Raymarine’s DockSense Control is to be protected by packaging made from mushrooms The electronics company has been seeking an alternative to polystyrene foam and teamed up with the Magical Mushroom Company (MMC), thought to be the fi rst ever UK manufacturers of mycelium-based packaging.
Supplier
Instrument manufacturer, B&G, is partnering with Oyster Yachts meaning B&G will be the preferred electronics supplier across Oyster’s fl eet of 50ft to 120ft sailing boats. The rollout will begin with the new Oyster 495 before moving forward to encompass all Oyster yachts.
Ownership
A new shared ownership platform for Sunseeker yachts has launched, combining the benefi ts of ownership with the convenience of a charter. The Meros Sunseeker Co-Ownership allows up to four owners to invest in equal shares in new Sunseeker vessels, the fi rst being the ‘M/Y Blue Infi nity’ 86 Yacht.
NEW SEAWORK CONNECT FOR 2021
Mercator Media is to introduce Seawork Connect to take place this October.
The new virtual exhibition will provide a new dimension to Seawork and M&CCE and will include rich and engaging content to enable visitors and exhibitors to meet and develop business.
“Given the international audience that Seawork attracts every year, an in-person exhibition in 2021 is clearly not possible as travel restrictions across Europe and the rest of the world are changing all the time,” said Mercator Media in a statement.
“Our clients will still be able to reach the Seawork and M&CCE audiences plus a broader international audience.”
Meetings
The virtual platform will enable exhibitors to see visitor profi les and organise meetings at their stands or designated meeting areas.
The platform also off ers an AI based matchmaking system that pairs interested visitors with the correct equipment or service providing exhibitor to suit their requirements.
Seawork's associated full conference programme, USV Applications in Commercial Marine, Hybrid & Electric Propulsion Solutions as well as the next in the CMN
8 Seawork Connect will provide
a new dimension to Seawork
Commercial Marine Network Workboat 2050 series will also take place. 8 Seawork Connect
will take place from October 5 - 7 2021. The next in-person Seawork and M&CCE exhibition will be on June 21 - 23 2022.
Seven boat owners in Northamptonshire have been fi ned a combined total of nearly £5,500 at Wellingborough Magistrates Court for not registering their vessels.
They were also ordered to pay a collective total of almost £5,550 in compensation and nearly £550 in victim surcharges during the hearing.
Nathan Arnold, environment agency waterways team leader, warned other boaters. “We hope these penalties will serve as a reminder to all boaters that they must ensure that their vessels are properly registered at all times,” he said. “The funds generated by boat registration enable the Environment Agency to provide the services that boaters expect on the waterways."
Robert Walter and Robert Todd, both of Blackthorn Lake Marina in Ringstead, and Clive Ely
UNREGISTERED BOATERS SUNK BY FINES
of Kettering were all ordered to pay £2,365.40 in fi nes, costs and compensation for failing to register their vessels, Camelot, Beulah and E lsie respectively.
Sam Banham of Kettering, was ordered to pay a total of £2,167.19 for failing to register his vessel Omega and Jonathan Butler of Irthlingborough was ordered to pay £1,087.51 after his boat, Kigu, was found unregistered on the River Nene.
Martin Neale of Northampton, was ordered to pay £981.51 after his boat Indulgence was found unregistered on the River Nene and Andrew MacGilliuray of Wellingborough was ordered to pay £1,925.02 for failing to register his vessels, Big Dee II and Xanadu.
LIVEABOARDS NEED MORE HELP
The Canal & River Trust is calling for more support from Government and other public bodies to meet the needs of liveaboard boaters.
In a presentation to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Waterways, Matthew Symonds, Trust national boating manager, explained that the proportion of people living aboard boats has increased from 15% in 2011 to 27% in 2020, with overall boat numbers also rising.
He highlighted the need for accurate capturing of boaters' data to ensure public services are available to liveaboard boaters, and that service providers understand their needs.
In addition, he called for support from navigation authorities and boaters to adapt to reduce emissions from boat use to support Government net zero carbon targets.
There was a call to examine why the planning system made it diffi cult to create permanent residential moorings, and it was suggested that the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities could help coordinate better information to help planning authorities consider residential moorings in a more positive light.
Additional support to establish more boater selfmanaged moorings was also requested.
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BRIEFS
Software
TracTrac is deploying Globalstar Europe Satellite Services’ SPOT Gen4 devices to support race events. TracTrac’s software platform enables fans and spectators to follow competitors on a mapping interface which displays the locations of boats in real time. The interface also shows a variety of performance data, the manoeuvres the sailors are performing and other data such as wind direction.
Collaboration
Contest Yachts has collaborated with Bentley Motors on the interior for the shipyard’s latest model, the Contest 59CS, taking inspiration from the cabin design of the iconic Continental GT V8 Coupe.
