The only specialised marine publication in Oceania that focuses on the maritime industry, from super yachts to small craft to large commercial ships, including coastal shipping, tugs, tow boats, barges, ferries, tourist, sport-fishing craft
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waterfront business Life jackets for life in brief… Boat builders win big New Zealand marine companies have taken out prestigious international awards with Auckland superyacht builders Alloy Yachts and Yachting Developments winning major trophies at the 2013 World Superyacht Awards at the Boat International Media Group run ceremony in Instanbul in early May. The Alloy Yachts built Loretta Anne, a 47-metre raised pilothouse motor yacht was named motor yacht of the year. The winning refit of J Class luxury yacht 39.6m Endeavour was an 18 month project for Hobsonville, Auckland based Yachting Developments, whose 30.49m composite sailing catamaran Quintessential also received special recognition from the judging panel. A third New Zealand yacht builder, New Plymouth based Fitzroy Yachts was also a finalist with the Dubois designed 49.7m Ohana. Peter Busfield, CEO of New Zealand Marine, says that the success highlights the strength of our marine industry as a whole and helps ensure that local companies remain in a strong position to secure future orders. It also indicates the strength of the training and depth of experience and talent of personnel throughout New Zealand's marine industry. Legal action dropped against Sea Shepherd The skipper of a $5 million dollar yacht ended legal action against anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd Conservation Society over his ship's sinking. The Ady Gil was hit by a Japanese whaling ship in the Southern Ocean in 2010 and sank. Skipper Pete Bethune originally said the Ady Gil was deliberately scuttled as a public relations stunt and took legal action against Sea Shepherd, which he says made an agreement to pay him money if the ship was lost or damaged. Bethune instead reached an out-ofcourt settlement with the conservation group that involved him being paid an undisclosed sum. 42 Professional Skipper July/August 2013 THE LOSS OF the Lady Anna fishing boat and the death of one of the crew members has resulted in a call for life jackets to be mandatory when crossing the notorious local sand bar. The Cobden surfer, Steve Newby, who pulled the lifeless body of Lady Anna skipper Nicholas Eklund from the Grey River mouth believes that life jackets should be mandatory when crossing the bar. Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn backed the call for compulsory life jackets. "It should be 100 percent mandatory. If they think they look stupid they can take them off before they get into the lagoon," said Kokshoorn. "Maybe they think it's not cool, but they all have to remember they have loved ones who want them home safe. They need to use their brains and use their life jackets – they save lives and this has been proved over and over again." There is currently no law making life jackets compulsory on board commercial vessels or when crossing a bar, but life jackets must be carried and easily accessible. "The wearing of life jackets falls under the responsibilities of the skipper," said a Maritime New Zealand spokesperson. September's Auckland On Water Boat Show looking ship-shape A LARGE NUMBER of exhibitors are already confirmed for the New Zealand Marine Industry Association's 2013 Auckland On Water Boat Show coming this September. The popular annual event returns to the world class facilities of Auckland's Viaduct Harbour, part of the Wynyard Quarter in downtown Auckland. "This year we expect around 200 marine oriented businesses with the latest and best products and services for powerboat users, sailors, fishermen, kayakers, PWC riders, launch owners, and paddle-boarders to make the most of the opportunity to talk to boaties before the new summer season gets into full swing," says the show's organiser Michelle Khan. Boats of all sizes will be berthed alongside the Viaduct Marina, while around the Viaduct Events Centre a range of trailer boats, yachts, personal water craft and more will be on display. Inside the centre and three adjoining pavilions, hundreds more marine technology, engine, navigation and safety experts will share their passion and knowledge of all things "on water." Numerous new boats are being launched and exhibitors have indicated a range of new products for summer boating are also being released at this year's show. One of the draw-cards will be the brand new 1,000hp Scania marine engines, which will be on show for the first time in New Zealand along with the latest product innovations from Lighthouse Marine, ATL, Transdiesel, Volpower, John Deere, Hella Marine, Whiting Power Systems, Naiad, ENL, Alphatron, So-Pac Marine, Total Marine, Lees Group, General Marine Services and Safety at Sea. From 26–29 September, the Auckland On Water Boat Show will open at 10am on all four days, closing at 6pm Thursday through to Saturday and 5pm on Sunday September 30. Marlin ban stands FOLLOWING TALKS WITH commercial and recreational fishers on the management of marlin fishery the Ministry of Primary Industries retains its ban on the commercial fishing of marlin. The ban has stood since 1991 but New Zealand sport fishers believe that more needs to be done prevent the sale of commercial bycatch marlin to restaurants. Trevor Woolston, president of the Bay of Plenty Swordfish Club, says that to protect our marlin fishery they would like to see a total stop to marlin sales in New Zealand, both by New Zealand boats operating outside the New Zealand economic zone and from imported fish brought from other countries. www.skipper.co.nz