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The latest ICOMIA Statistics Book for the worldwide recreational marine industry is now available for purchase. The new edition represents information from 23 major marine leisure markets in the world, estimated to represent over 90% of the global business in the sector.

This annual publication from ICOMIA’s Marine Industry Associations also includes specific detailed national reports, trade data for 35 countries, Super Yacht Statistics reproduced courtesy of Show Boats International/Boat International Media and engine sales statistics.

Mercury Marine and Cummins will transition from their Cummins MerCruiser Diesel Marine (CMD) joint venture to a strategic supply arrangement between the two companies to more effectively and efficiently serve customers in the global diesel marine market.

All business activities will move from CMD to the parent companies, with completion of the transition anticipated by mid-2012. CMD will conduct business as usual through the transition. 

Lowe Boats of Lebanon, Missouri has announced The Boat Warehouse of Kingston Ontario as the world’s largest independent Lowe Boats dealer.

Company president Huw Bower said, “I’m very pleased to inform you that for the model year 2011 The Boat Warehouse was our number-one ranked dealer for gross sales. We are extremely pleased with our strong partnership and look forward to supporting your continued growth and success.”

The Victoria Times Colonist newspaper has reported that the developers of a proposed luxury marina in Victoria's harbour are hoping the federal government will make a decision on the project by year's end.

The story explained that Transport Canada originally approved a navigable waters permit in May 2010, and received green lights from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment Canada for a 52-slip marina.

The Scotia 44, a true expedition yacht, has been on seatrails since early 2011.  She is a cutter rigged, twin prop, dual helm yacht with a deck salon and pilot house.  Designed by the Maple Marine Design Group in Canada, she will premier to the public at the Miami Strictly Sail in February 2012.  Printed information will also be available in Toronto and Montreal boat shows in the NSBA (Nova Scotia Boat builders Association) booths.  She is semi-custom built with two suggested interior layouts and high class fit and finish.  She is built to CE Cat A (Unlimited Ocean), ABYC, and Canadian Coast Guard class standards.

True North Yachts is pleased to announce that it has added  C&C Tartan to its product portfolio. C&C Tartan has undergone recent ownership change and injections of new capital are reinventing the company from the ground up. Renewed focus starts at the employee level and continues on up the line through the dealer network and ultimately with the customer.  Both brands are refreshing the model lineups and innovative new boats are on the horizon. Custom and semi-custom work allows the owner to get the boat to suit his or her specific needs.

The Financial Post newspaper has reported that Ski-Doo maker BRP Inc. is quietly reviving plans to go public, benefitting from double-digit growth in new motorsport markets such as Russia and capitalizing from a retreat by Asian rivals.

The American owners of the Quebec company, formerly known as Bombardier Recreational Products, have a “horizon of two to five years” from now to monetize their investment — likely through an initial public offering, BRP chief executive José Boisjoli said during an interview at the manufacturer’s headquarters in the Eastern Townships.

Infectious Salmon Anemia (ISA), the virus that devastated the Chilean salmon farming industry a few years ago, appears to be lurking in BC waters as well. Although not yet confirmed, cases of this exotic virus have been identified in Pacific salmon in several locations on the coast. ISAv, which is endemic to Atlantic salmon, can only have originated from imported farm salmon eggs. Rather than attempting to discredit the findings, the Governments of Canada and British Columbia must take urgent action.

Former Vice President of Government Affairs, Margaret Bonds Podlich has been named President of Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS). Her new role with the Association, which is celebrating its 45th year, broadens her responsibilities to include external communications encompassing Government Affairs and Public Relations as well as other association programs, benefits and services. This includes developing the association's official policy positions and leading the advocacy efforts on behalf of the nation's recreational boat owners. Podlich's promotion comes after the half-million member boat owners group recently lost its former President, Nancy Michelman, to a courageous battle with cancer.

Jim Snare and Sunnybrook Yachts have announced that Jim Newell has joined Sunnybrook Yachts as a member of their yacht brokering team. 

With experience throughout Atlantic Canada operating Lifeline Marine Services, Jim's expertise as a technician, will serve a buyer or seller well.

Jim hopes to develop and grow existing relationships with uncompromising customer service and professionalism.

True North Yachts founding partner Ross Bryden Richardson, passed away peacefully at 9:50pm on Monday November 14th at Princess Margaret Hospital after a courageous battle with lung cancer. 

Ross was not an observer of life but rather one of its most active participants.  He amazed everyone with his determination to win this fight and participated in both sporting and social events right up to the very end.

At the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, Cruisers Yachts unveiled interior upgrades on their 350 Express and 380 Express models which focused on the navigational center, stylish fabrics and adding more natural light to enhance the on-board experience. These new interiors bring a mega-yacht feel to these mid-size models.

“At Cruisers Yachts, we believe every design must benefit the overall yachting experience,” said Russ Davis, director of marketing for Cruisers Yachts.

Employees at Interlux® North America headquarters in New Jersey recently applied the company’s antifouling, topcoat and deck paint systems to better understand what Interlux customers experience during the bottom painting process and to familiarize themselves with the products the company manufactures.

Products applied included InterProtect 2000E epoxy barrier coat, Trilux 33 antifouling, 404 Epoxy primer, Perfection topcoat and Interdeck.

For its 40th Anniversary, Doral Marine International is pleased to announce the launch of the 275 Venezia Limited Edition for its 2012 Cruisers line-up.

The 275 Venezia design was first launched in 2008 as the “next generation” of the Doral family of luxury cruisers and received the 2009 Design Award from the Trailer Boats Excellence program. For 2012, the 275 Venezia Limited Edition – with a 9’4" beam – features many of the wants and needs of a North American boater with a European flair in style and design.

On October 31st, The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Canada presented before the House of Commons Finance Committee. The Committee is hearing from a range of stakeholders across Canada in preparation for the 2012 federal budget. NMMA Canada was pleased to be invited to present before the Committee to discuss the recreational boating industry’s key challenges and future opportunities and how government can play a role.

Boating Industry Canada has learned that Canadian boat builder Erich Bruckmann passed away on October 28, 2011.

Erich was born in Dusseldorf Germany in 1930. He left Germany as a young man in 1956 to start a new life with his devoted wife and first son Peter. Within a year of arriving in Canada Erich began what would be a lifelong career as a boat builder. He was at the forefront of the yachting industry in the 1960's and 70's as one of the founding partners of C & C Yachts. Through hard work Erich was fortunate enough to be able to retire at an early age and spent many years enjoying life and travelling with Lisa, especially hiking in his favourite Austrian Alps.

It has been announced that efforts are underway to resume operations at boat builders Baja Marine, Donzi Marine, Fountain Powerboats and ProLine Boats, according to Ronald Glass, a Principal  in GlassRatner Advisory & Capital Group, LLC. Glass, who is headquartered in Atlanta, has been named temporary receiver of the four boat builders and their assets, along with Palmetto Park Financial, by North Carolina Business Court Judge James Gale.

Because of this, none of the four boat builders were exhibitors at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show although some Fountain and ProLine dealers were showing boats at FLIBS.

Boating Industry Canada has learned of a new website from Michigan that is part of an effort to maintain and increase awareness of the threat that Asian carp pose to the Great Lakes fishing, boating and tourism industries.

The organization, stopthecarpnow.org supports the permanent closing of the Chicago Sanitary Canal to stop the spread of these invasive species however, in the Part 1 and Part 2 video clips (on their home page) it notes that there are rumors of Asian Carp being deliberately released into the Great Lakes for good luck.