Marine Precinct for SIBS

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural Marine Precinct at the Sydney International Boat Show, NSW Maritime in conjunction with the 2009 Show hosts, the Boating Industry Association of NSW, have secured an area almost twice the size and in a more prominent location that will be a one-stop-shop for marine safety information.
As the bulk of visitors pass through the main entry gate at the eastern end of Hall 5 they will have an opportunity to speak to representatives and gather expert information from the many government agencies and marine safety exhibitors, all in one convenient location.
The Marine Precinct will have 15 exhibitors in one place.
“There’s an obvious benefit to the public who can wander through the Precinct and get immediate assistance on issues like boat and fishing licensing, vessel registration, moorings, and water safety. Plus NSW Maritime will provide a complimentary carry bag to help store information and Show giveaways, including a kid’s pack that will be available from the Precinct,” said Neil Patchett, spokesman for NSW Maritime.
As well as exhibiting in the Hall, the new Marine Rescue NSW organisation will have a vessel on display on the marina with volunteers showing off the new uniform.
Marine Precinct exhibitors: NSW Maritime; BIA of NSW; Australian Maritime Safety Authority; NSW Department of Primary Industries; Australian Maritime College; Marine Rescue NSW; Australian Hydrographic Service; Marine Discovery Centre Bondi; Surf Life Saving NSW; Department of Lands; Marine Teachers Association of NSW; Water Police; Yachting NSW; Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service, Sydney Region.
Information on Pete Goss’s Spirit of Mystery, the 37ft replica wooden lugger that this year voyaged 12,000 miles from Cornwall to Australia following in the wake of the original Mystery, which completed the journey in 1854, will be available at the Precinct.
Spirit of Mystery will be one of the special marina exhibits and it is anticipated Pete Goss will give daily talks on his voyage.
To test the knowledge and resourcefulness of younger seafarers NSW Maritime is conducting a Treasure Hunt with clues available throughout the Precinct and major prizes announced at the conclusion of the Show. This Treasure Hunt is attracting plenty of interest with industry supporters looking at contributing a small sail training boat, sail training courses, a paddlecraft, lifejackets and some fishing gear as prizes, and a sail on Sydney Harbour aboard Spirit of Mystery.
So, if you are looking at taking your children to the show this year, it may be a good idea to check out the Treasure Hunt which will feature a series of clues related to boating safety. The intention is for all entries to go into a barrel and for winners to be selected at the end of the show.
NSW Maritime’s four safety themes for this year’s Show will be: lifejackets, speed/wash, alcohol and night safety. Given recent accidents on Sydney Harbour, skippers attending the Show will be reminded about the importance of safe boating under the banner ‘You’re the skipper, you’re responsible’.
“With so many sports and cruise boat owners attending the Show it’s a great opportunity to remind those skippering these semi-displacement boats to be mindful of how much wash they can generate, and the discomfort it may cause others,” said Patchett.
“Most people do the right thing but all skippers have to be responsible for the impact of the wash they generate.”
NSW Maritime will also be focusing on its ‘Go easy on the drink – don’t go overboard with alcohol’ message which promotes enjoying time on the water while staying under the legal limit of 0.05.
The 42nd Sydney International Boat Show will be held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre & Cockle Bay Marina, Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia from 30 July - 3 August, 2009 (further details page 68).
NSW Maritime www.maritime.nsw.gov.au