Marine13

For the first time in Australia, major boating conference Marine13 will bring together representatives from marinas, recreational boating and boating safety to one event.

Key industry and government groups will explore and discuss the advancement of boating safety, professionalism in the boating and marina industries, technology changes, environmental and regulatory frameworks and to promote innovation in the industry.

Transport for NSW is a principal partner of the event, which is being co-hosted by the Boating Industries Alliance Australia and the Marina Industries Association.

“Previously the marina and boating safety sectors conducted separate conference and exhibitions,” said Office of Boating Safety and Maritime Affairs General Manager Howard Glenn. “Marine13 brings them together, making the event a must for industry and government.”

“We’re expecting over 500 delegates and 70 exhibitors to the April event, which we hope will become a new way for these complementary and mutually reliant sectors to share ideas and move forward together.”

The recreational boating industry is estimated to be worth $7 billion nationally. It employs around 14,000 people in NSW, coupled with more than 35,000 employed by the complimentary recreational fishing industry.

“Boating is big business in NSW and Australia, and pulling together a world-class event such as Marine13 provides a platform for the industry to develop further, become more competitive and provide recreational boaters with improved safety, better facilities and more opportunities to enjoy the water,” Mr Glenn said.

The program will be divided into three streams – boating business, marinas and boating safety.

“Transport for NSW is particularly involved in the boating safety stream, as this is a focus of the work of the Office of Boating Safety and Maritime Affairs,” Mr Glenn said.
Marine13 will feature a host of high profile Australian and international speakers including:

Kerry Moher – whose pioneering online boating safety education course BOATERexam.com has attracted over one million participants

Peter Chennell – Sea Safety Manager for the UK’s Royal National Lifeboat Institution, whose work focuses on lifejacket wearing among recreational boaters and changing boater behaviour

John Winning – well-known Sydney business identity and keen sailor, whose experience as CEO of the Winning Group and on the water means he has valuable and relevant insight into how boating industry retail can adapt to changing technology and buyer habits

Jean Murray – Chair of the Canadian Safe Boating Council, who will speak on risk management in boating, both from a safety and business perspective

Registration is required and is now open for the event, which will be held in the Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre on 28 – 30 April. Visit www.marine13.com. 

Lifejacket Safety Campaign update

‘A lifejacket never ruined a day on the water’ – the lifejacket safety campaign being run by Transport for NSW’s Office of Boating Safety and Maritime Affairs has been prominent across NSW over summer and has been receiving great feedback from both recreational boaters and the international boating safety community.

The campaign’s message is designed to let people know modern lifejackets are lightweight and designed to be worn all day without impacting your fun. The message is relevant for anyone heading out on the water, whether you’re a fisherman, heading out on a dam with your family or going offshore.

On 1 May, the day after the Marine13 conference concludes, Transport for NSW will take advantage of the international talent in town and host an International Lifejacket Forum at the Australian National Maritime Museum. A panel of experts from around the world will share ideas and engage attendees to develop ideas to further the lifejacket safety cause around the world.

Visit lifejacketwearit.com.au.