Hot News
23/07/10 • THE BMF has ‘real concerns’ about the impact of the rise in VAT from 17.5% to 20% in January 2011. ‘The industry is still in the early stages of recovery following the financial crisis and anything that increases the cost of sales for marine businesses could be damaging. The increase in Insurance Premium Tax also falls into that category and will again push up costs for already stretched businesses,’ says Rob Stevens, chief executive of the British Marine Federation. ‘We will also be watching to see how the national insurance holiday to start-up firms will work and hope that their success can be balanced with that of existing businesses.’
23/07/10 • LAST MONTH Alan Morgan was handed presidency of the BMF by outgoing president, Jon Eads CMM who led the federation to a number of successes including securing amendments to the recently instated Marine and Coastal Access Act, maintaining a membership figure in the region of 1,500 and strengthening both the PSP Southampton and Tullett Prebon London International Boat Shows, despite challenging circumstances. Alan Morgan is director at ZM&P Recreational Marine UK. He has enjoyed a 28 year long career in the marine industry, and has been working closely with the British Marine Federation and National Boat Shows (NBS) for many years; as chairman of NBS for the period 2006-2008. Alan said, ‘I am proud of the £3.1 billion contribution that our industry makes to our economy and I look forward to contributing to the support that the federation makes in assisting our members in their endeavours. ‘We are fortunate to have a capable, loyal and hard working executive team.’ ‘I have thoroughly enjoyed my good fortune to have worked in this industry and have made many friends worldwide. It is now great to have this opportunity to put something back.’
23/07/10 • WILLIAMS performance jet tenders, have been selected by the Beneteau Group to provide bespoke tenders for its new range of Monte Carlo Yachts. The brand new 23m MCY 76 will be unveiled in Cannes next month.
23/07/10 • SELECTED new Yamaha portable outboard engines including the F2.5 and all new F4B now come with a free heavy duty nylon carry bag. The bags have been designed to protect a new outboard and the two sizes are tailored to fit Yamaha’s short-shaft models only. The bags feature large shoulder straps and full length zips. Anyone purchasing one of these new portable outboards, from a participating dealer will receive a Yamaha outboard carry bag worth £89, at no cost.
23/07/10 • ROD CARR, former RYA CEO, has received a CBE for his services to sailing in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Rod said; ‘It was an honour in itself to lead the RYA during a period of significant change and development for our sport.’ Richard Langford, chairman of RYA Council commented: ‘I was delighted to hear of this well deserved honour for Rod, achieved I am sure not only for his work with the RYA, but sailing more generally. ‘He has been a respected ambassador for the sport of sailing for almost four decades and has played a key role in supporting the UK’s interests on the sailing world stage for the last 15 years. ‘Sailing has been Rod’s life-long vocation and I am sure that he will be at the forefront of the planning and organisation for the forthcoming Olympics at Weymouth and Portland.’
23/07/10 • THE FIRST Archambault M34 was launched last month in La Rochelle, and has been selected as the new class for the famous Tour De France a la Voile, replacing the Farr 30 after 12 years on the circuit. The design brief for the M34 was for a yacht rugged enough to cope with offshore sailing, a hull shape which lends itself towards easy road transportation and a draft shallow enough to enter tidal ports in the 2011 ‘Voile’. Archambault Bateux appointed Southern Spars as the official carbon fibre mast supplier for the M34, built in two sections using state-of-the-art Carbon Nanotube Technology (CNT).