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 in brief… Proposed changes to boat taxation THE TAXATION OF boats has been Tug due 2014 The $10 million deal for Gisborne's Eastland Port tug has been made; Damen shipyards will build the new tug Waimata to replace the 36-year-old Turihaua. Construction is planned in Vietnam and completion and delivery for August next year. Due to an overall increase in ship size of arrivals at Eastland Port, the Waimata is to be a much stronger tug than the previous vessel, with a bollard pull of 65 tonnes and displacing 400 tonnes compared to 14 tonnes and 100 tonnes displacement. Traffic ahead for North Sea Route This year is set to be the busiest yet for the Northern Sea Route linking Europe and Russia with the Far East using the seas off Russia's Arctic coastline. 54 vessels have been granted permission to ply the route for the season with the first having left the Russian port of Murmansk at the end of June. 89 applications for permission to use the route were received by the Northern Sea Route Administration. The number of vessels using this shortcut is growing. In 2010 just four took the route but this increased to 34 in 2011 and 46 last year. NZ built superyacht tenders win design award The superyacht tenders designed by Fontaine Design Group of Rhode Island, United States and built in New Zealand by Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders, received the Tender Design Award at the 2013 ShowBoats prize giving in Monaco in June. Other New Zealand built boats recognised at the awards were Loretta Anne, built by Alloy Yachts and designed by Dubois Naval Architects which received the Exterior Design and Styling Award – Semi-Displacement Motor Yachts, and Quintessential, built by Yachting Developments with interior design by Redman Whiteley Dixon/Warwick Yacht Design, which received the interior layout award for sailing yachts. 48 changed as a result of submissions received by the Government. At present, owners of assets used both for business and private purposes are allowed a tax deduction for periods if the asset is not being used privately and is available for business use. The rules applying to aircraft and boats have been postponed until the year ended March 31, 2015. The proposed rules, however, will require owners to calculate the tax deductible amount based on an apportionment of the asset's actual private and business use. The changes from the submission process include an asset cost threshold of $50,000 under which the new rules will not apply. The rules will apply to assets that are unused for 62 days or more in the year. The rules will apply to all types of owners from individuals to the family trust, but will exclude assets held by a company with a wide group of shareholders. The proposals also amend the definition of "private user". The new definition includes use by the owner or use for which less than 80 percent of the market value is charged. This will apply when a bach is rented to a family member for a discounted amount. Some activities will not be considered private use, such as when the asset is being relocated – an example is the owner sailing the boat to a client for business use. Taxpayers expressed concerns that the rules could lead to double taxation when fringe benefit tax is payable on the private use of an asset and at the same time a tax deduction is deemed for the outgoings. The Government has conceded that an asset that is subject to the mixed-use rules will not also constitute a fringe benefit. Owners will be able to opt out of the rules if income from the asset is less than $4000 or if a loss is incurred. WWII naval anniversary marked WORLD WAR II saw action in the Atlantic Ocean when large numbers of ships and their crews were lost in the battle for the Atlantic – the German U-boat fleet was attempting to stop vital supply ships reaching England. In New Zealand Crew and guests on a formal service the Spirit of New Zealand and wreath laying ceremony was held on May 24 at the National War Memorial veteran had worked at deciphering Wellington, which Paula Bennett, the various coded messages sent by the Minister for Social Development German high command to their vessels. attended on behalf of Government. Oral Those attending the service included histories were given by Government, Mayor Len Brown, Royal New Navy, Coastal Command and Merchant Zealand Navy and Merchant Navy Navy representatives. At the end of the representatives, the American Consul service 12 wreaths were laid by sector and Members of Parliament. representatives. Three wreaths were laid, one each by The Auckland service was held at the the Royal New Zealand Navy, Mayor Voyager Maritime Museum on May of Auckland and the Auckland Branch 26 and was conducted by Reverend of the Merchant Navy Association. The Bill Law. 120 people attended, the three wreaths were then taken away singing was led by the Auckland Brass and placed on board the Sail Training Band and five guests of honour, all Vessel the Spirit of New Zealand and were veterans of the battle, one female were ceremoniously placed in the sea. Professional Skipper September/October 2013 www.skipper.co.nz