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NEWS
Southampton boat show cancellations
On the eve of opening, two boat show hosts, British Marine and MDL Marinas received IdealBoat the ‘devastating news’ from Southampton City Council that the events could no longer go ahead, due to the rising risk of COVID-19 and growing Government fears. Due to take place from 11-20 September 2020, both BOATS2020 marina occupied and ready for visitors on the eve of opening hosts had worked to ensure COVID-19 secure requirements were met. For the smaller scale, outdoor Southampton boat show replacement, BOATS2020, a purpose built marina with 5-metre wide pontoons and shoreside show areas of Mayflower Park had been engineered to allow for social distancing, and online ticket holders were being reassured of the measures in place just hours before. The ‘11th hour’ decision left 188 exhibitors and imminent visitors very disappointed. Speaking out on the cancellation of its appointment-only Ocean Village Boat Show, MDL Marinas Sales and Marketing Director, Tim Mayer, stated “This is very disappointing for the industry. We don’t agree with the decision but do understand that the council is worried about an influx of visitors, however, both shows have been very careful with the arrangements for controlling visitor numbers. We are devastated by this last minute decision.” In a statement, Southampton City Council urged visitors not to make the journey to Southampton and Debbie Chase, Director of Public Health at Southampton City Council, said “Due to the increased spread of COVID-19 nationally, and the need for stronger control measures to reduce transmission both in Southampton and across the country, we unfortunately cannot allow the Ocean Village Boat Show and BOATS2020 to take place this month. We have therefore issued a Direction under Regulation 5(1) of the Health Protection Regulations 2020 prohibiting these events from taking place.” With new government guidelines concerning groups being imposed on Monday 14th September, British Marine said it was ‘perplexed’ as to why it was unable to run the show until then. After appealing, CEO of British Marine, said “I am saddened that our appeal has been rejected and the plight of our exhibitors and the industry has not been recognised by the Secretaries of State. The cancellation of the show will have a considerable financial impact on the marine industry, and also on the city of Southampton.” BOATS2020 ticket holders are being offered a credit against the 2021 Southampton International Boat Show 2021 tickets.
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Linssen GS40.0 NEW BOAT Following in the wake of the Grand Sturdy 30.0 and 35.0, Dutch steel builder, Linssen has launched the Grand Sturdy 40.0 AC and Sedan INTERO models. Upgrading on its 40.9 line, new features of the revamped ‘0’ models include curved, flush-fitted, extra large windows and lighter and more contrasting interior finishes. The AC version offers six berths with three cabins, while the two-cabin Sedan has new features such as a longtop cockpit roof and pop out side door. Both versions are fitted with a single 110hp Volvo Penta D3-110 diesel engine, and prices start at €463,400 for the Sedan and €469,500 for the AC. UK dealer is Boat Showrooms.
Thames winter lock closures
The River Thames navigational authority, the Environment Agency (EA), has announced its schedule of winter lock closures for 2020/21. Locks affected are Abingdon Lock, Days Lock, Cookham ???? Lock and Molesey Lock. The Environment Agency carries out a programme of works on the River Thames every year between October and Easter and this often results in the closure of a number of locks for relatively long periods. The EA stress that works are subject to change, due to weather and other circumstances.
NEWS
RNLI & RYA ‘How to’ videos
The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) have joined forces to produce a series of ‘How to’ videos with advice and tips on how to safely enjoy being on the water. The RNLI were called out more than 13,000 times to boaters between 2017 and 2019. The first video reveals the top five reasons lifeboat crews were called into action, along with tips on how to avoid the need to call for help. Reasons include human error, sinking, running aground and equipment failure. However, the top reason for emergency call outs in the last two years involving a boat was machinery failure, with more than 4,000 incidents. Stuart Carruthers, RYA Cruising Manager, said “Following lockdown the water has been re-established as a fantastic place to exercise, relax and re-charge in the great outdoors. However, it is important to remember the seriousness of safety when going afloat, especially if you have not been on the water for some time or are using new equipment for the first time. We hope that viewers will take away from the videos the significance of planning for different eventualities, thinking ahead, getting properly trained and always having a method of keeping in touch and if it comes to it, calling for help when out on the water.” Samantha Hughes, RNLI Water Safety Partner, said “We want everyone to enjoy their time on the water whilst staying safe. By highlighting the common call outs our volunteer lifeboat crews attend as well as giving some top tips, we hope it will get viewers thinking about what they could do to maximise their time out on the water. Before you head out on the water make sure you are prepared and have checked the weather conditions, wear a lifejacket and make
CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO sure you have a means of calling for help should you need it.” The short series of videos will also cover topics such as electronic navigation, rules of the road, the shipping forecast and best practice when riding a Personal Watercraft (PWC).
NEWS
Rand Mana 23 NEW BOAT The Danish sustainable motorboat producer, RAND Boats, has just launched a new addition to its range. According to the builder, the new Mana 23 marks the arrival of a new generation of electric motorboats providing fast displacement cruising up to 15 knots. Designed as an open dayboat, it is capable of seating up to 10 passengers, with other features including an aft sunbed, a centre steering binnacle, a bathing platform and a bimini top with optional side windows. Its hull, described as hyper efficient for displacement cruising, achieves 30 nautical miles at 12 knots, or 100 nautical miles at 5 knots. The new model is also available as a special eco-version built with organic and sustainable materials. The Mana 23 is available through UK dealer, Bates Wharf, priced from £66,096.
DIARY DATES Salone Nautico Genoa Boat Show 1st-6th October Solent Boat Jumble 4th October Suffolk Boat Jumble 18th October Boot & Fun Berlin 18th-22nd November Boot Düsseldorf 23rd-31st January 2021 Southampton International Boat Show 10th-19th September 2021
Poole PWC prosecutions
Two PWC riders have been fined for speeding offences in Poole Harbour. Since the easement of lockdown, Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC) has reported a rise in complaints regarding the inappropriate behaviour of Personal Water Craft (PWC) users. In response, the PHC is cracking down on offenders. One user was fined £600 for travelling more than twice the 10-knot speed limit.
0800 310 2100 Marine Electronics in stock for immediate dispatch.
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Vetus virtual boat show
With boat shows cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, marine equipment and boat systems company, Vetus, has launched a Virtual Boat Show to showcase its products and systems. Visitors can walk around a boat show virtual stand, browse a range of equipment, and view product information and specifications. The show also introduces new products, highlights special deals and set up contacts with sales personnel. The product range features bowthrusters, engines, generators and control panels, and accessories such as water strainers, waterlocks, portlights, ventilation hatches and roller blinds/fly screens, also products from anchoring and mooring specialists Maxwell. To visit the virtual stand, visitors need to download the tool from the website.
Tawe Lock closure
The Tawe Lock at Swansea is closed currently to inbound and outbound traffic due to a failure of a gate ram. The barrage lock broke down on the evening of Tuesday 29th September with some boats able to transit it at free flow. Swansea Marina say that the repair will take up to three days and aims to reopen the lock as soon as possible, apologising for any inconvenience caused.
NEWS
Cockwells acquires Hardy Marine
The Cornish Boatbuilder, Cockwells has acquired Norfolk-based brand, Hardy Marine. Hardy’s parent company Windboats Marine entered administration in April ‘due to a general downturn in orders and the untimely impact of the Covid-19 pandemic’ and Hardy, with its 32ft65ft range, was seeking a buyer. Cockwells’ purchase of Hardy Marine was made possible by funding from Business Investment for Growth (BIG). Financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and delivered by the Cornwall Development Company, this £3.15m investment fund aims to create 175 skilled jobs in Cornwall. The Falmouth-based builder, Cockwells, currently builds the classically-styled 21ft to 60ft Duchy Motor Launch range across its two Falmouth sites, in Mylor Creek and at Falmouth itself. Looking to further expand Hardy’s four decade heritage, founder and Managing Director, Dave Cockwell said “Both Cockwells and Hardy are committed to building exceptional motor boats that deliver style, reliability, customisation and all the advantages that technological advances can supply. The Duchy is predominantly a stylish day boat and occasional weekender. The Hardy is the Duchy’s rugged, sea-faring cousin. We plan to build on the seakeeping and styling of the Hardy brand, and introduce Duchy-like finesse to some of the fittings such as Cockwells’ joinery and superyacht technology, to make the Hardy even more ‘yacht’,” Dave adds. Cockwells has appointed Hardy’s Julian Weatherill as Sales Manager ‘in order to sustain the continuity of the brand’. He said “The many synergies between Cockwells and Hardy make this a perfect match for me. Having worked with Hardy clients and owners for the last few years, I am passionate about the brand and know that this new alliance will propel it forward.”
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Hammersmith Bridge: the great escape
Boaters caught the wrong side of London’s Hammersmith Bridge, after its sudden closure in August, were able to make their way under in early September, with a series of up and downstream controlled passages organised by the Hammersmith & Fulham Council and PLA. The bridge was closed to river and road traffic due to safety and structural concerns on the 13th August, as it posed a ‘significant risk to vessels and persons passing underneath the structure’. Among those making the ‘great escape’ were six boats from the Upper Thames Motor Yacht Club, who had been encamped at St Katharine Docks. They made their way upstream, through the bridge at 6am on the morning of 11th of September.
GMenzies/UTMYC
TBS Boats Used Boat Show
The Thames-based broker, TBS Boats Penton Hook, will be hosting a used boat show across two weekends in October. The shows are due to be held on the weekends of the 17th-18th and then the 24th-25th, and will be open between 10am-6pm. For those looking to sell this autumn, the company is also appealing for used boat entries for the show.
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NEWS
Flipper 900 NEW BOAT The Finnish boat builder BellaVeneet Oy has unveiled a new 30ft Flipper model. The stylish Flipper 900 DC is the new flagship of its DC (day cruiser) model and provides a four-berth open plan cabin area with two double berths, roof skylights and a separate toilet compartment, while a spacious, versatile and adaptable cockpit offers plenty of seating and a wet bar/galley unit. Power is provided by a single 350-400hp or twin outboards up to 300hp.
MDL Marinas loyalty scheme
In September, the marina group, MDL Marinas, launched a new points-based loyalty card scheme. Otium, which is latin for leisure time, is a replacement for the Freedom Berthing package and will allow customers and berth holders to collect points when they purchase products and services like fuel, boatyard services and berthing, and redeem these points against visitor fees, ???? or berthing contracts. “We felt it was time for something new that gives our customers and tenants more choice and control over how they redeem their annual berthing benefits,” says Tim Mayer, Sales and Marketing Director at MDL. “The programme also allows non-MDL berth holders to accrue points at a lower rate to spend with us when they use our services throughout the year.”
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Swanwick Used Boat Show cancelled
The south coast marina operator, Premier Marinas, has announced that its 10-day Swanwick Used Boat Show, which was due to start on Saturday 10th October, has been cancelled. Set to be its 41st year, the cumulative on-site broker used boat event is usually held concurrently with the Southampton Boat Show in September. Participating motorboat brokers, Ancasta International Boat Sales, Clipper Marine, Princess Motor Yachts, Fairline, Sea Ventures and Sunseeker Southampton will continue to hold new and use stock and be open over the October dates, conducting private viewings by prior appointment. Graham Bristowe, Swanwick’s General Manager, said “This show is incredibly popular with both customers and exhibitors, but in light of the ongoing pandemic, we have taken the difficult but necessary decision to cancel to ensure we are complying with the Government’s legislation. But all being well, the team and I are looking forward to bringing it back with gusto in 2021.”
Fambridge swinging moorings
More swinging moorings will be laid this winter in the River Crouch in Essex to meet the growing demand for berths on the east coast. Fambridge Yacht Haven plans to lay an additional 12 swinging river moorings after all of its 110 moorings were sold out during summer 2020. Fambridge Yacht Haven provides over 220 marina berths in addition to its swinging river moorings. Annual swinging moorings start from just £147 per metre and are suitable for boats up to 16 metres, and up to 18 tons. In other news. Fambridge YH has announced that its refurbishment of the nearby 400-year-old Ferry Boat Inn pub is nearing completion and set to reopen later this year.
