Changing Scene

  • MARITIME MUSEUM OF BC LOOKING FOR WORLD WAR II CONVOY STORIES

    One of the biggest maritime tragedies in World War II is the story of convoy PQ-17 which carried relief supplies to the Russians. In July 1942, this convoy travelling from Iceland to Russia was attacked by German forces. Upon receiving intelligence, the escorts were ordered to withdraw and 22 out of the 33 ships in the convoy were sunk. The merchant sailors didn’t have the capacity to defend themselves and 153 men were killed. Winston Churchill described the incident as "one of the most melancholy naval episodes in the whole of the war." One survivor of that fateful convoy was Joseph Coleman, father of choreographer Bill Coleman. Joe’s story later became the base for the Requiem for Convoy PQ-17, as conceived by his son Bill together with Victoria composer Christopher Butterfield whose father was also a merchant marine veteran.

  • TORONTO TEAM WINS NEW YORK YACHT CLUB INVITATIONAL

    The Royal Canadian Yacht Club team from Toronto has won the 2013 New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup presented by Rolex, successfully defending the title they first won in 2011 during the second edition of this biennial Corinthian event.  The Canadian team had moved into the lead on the penultimate day of racing, displacing the American team from Larchmont Yacht Club who had held the overall lead for the first three days of the five-day event.

  • NADEN PINK BOAT TOUR HAS RAISED OVER $20,000

    This summer, in just two short months, The PINK Boat Tour, co-sponsored by Naden Boats and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure North Bay raised over $20,000 in support of the breast cancer research. The 14’ Pink Naden Fisherman travelled several thousand kilometers to over 14 events in Northern Ontario.  Whether it was WingFest in Dorset or the Alban Canada Day Weekend, the Naden Boat dealers embraced the fundraiser, while at the same time taking the opportunity to chat about the unique boat building techniques used when crafting each Naden boat.

  • NAUTICALCHECK ANNOUNCES EXPANSION INTO CANADA

    NauticalCheck announces expansion into Canada of their boat safety "Consignment Program" for boating supply vendors and safety organizations. It is designed to provide boating organizations the ability to sell this breakthrough checklist system (with their name on the book) and generate revenue without any upfront costs other than shipping. NauticalCheck is a totally unique safety pocket checkbook that provides boaters immediate access to critical safety information as well as the most comprehensive checklist available. NauticalCheck presents an operational/safety/maintenance checklist that covers the items needed to make your boating experience as trouble free as possible.

  • HALIFAX BOAT SHOW 2014 BOOTH REGISTRATION LAUNCHES

    The Atlantic Marine Trades Association (AMTA) and Master Promotions Ltd are pleased to invite you to participate in the 2014 edition of the Halifax International Boat Show. Thousands of boating enthusiasts sailed through the doors of Exhibition Park last year, and we expect that number to increase this year!  This show is one of the most successful recreation shows in Atlantic Canada, and your company could once again be showcased at this premiere event. Thousands of qualified buyers are expected, all looking to see the latest in sail and powerboats, pontoons, inflatables, personal watercrafts,

  • DOLPHINITE SHOWCASES GELMATCH

    The new Dolphinite GelMatch™ All-In-One Gelcoat Aerosol Can is an innovative product that solves the traditional challenges when repairing gelcoat. Most repairs are costly and time consuming, so mistakes in mixing and colour matching can be very expensive. Dolphinite’s GelMatch All-In-One Gelcoat Aerosol Can takes the guess out of these problems, providing an aerosol can that is pre-filled with a proprietary All-In-One Gelcoat and matched perfectly to original factory colours. “This is a game changer for the marine industry on so many levels but more importantly the customer service level. We have developed this

  • PACIFIC YACHT INDUSTRY FORUM PLANNED FOR LATE SPRING 2014

    The Pacific Yacht Industry Forum is 4 day programme of events for the Pacific superyacht industries, taking place in central Vancouver during late Spring, 2014.  Comprising a 2 day conference and a 3 day Yacht Show, this international event will target visitors from across the globe, placing BC and the north-west Pacific firmly on the superyacht map.   Produced by Quaynote Communications, the yacht event specialists, and with Canadian Yachting magazine as the lead media partner, the Pacific Yacht Industry Forum aims to provide a platform for networking, business development, discussion and debate.  “We hope to attract a

  • IBEX 2013 REGISTRATION TRACKS AHEAD

    Organizers of the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) report totals for attendee pre-registration, workshop and seminar enrollment, new exhibitors, and total exhibitors have increased from last year. They are planning for strong attendance to this year’s show, which begins next Tuesday, September 17.  “We are delighted that there is so much anticipation and excitement for IBEX this year,” said Anne Dunbar, IBEX Show Director. “The increase in our pre- registration numbers reflects continued optimism and growth in our industry after some tough economic times. We have more than 65 new companies exhibiting – which is another good sign. There will be lots of new products and innovation to see and experience."

  • OUR INDUSTRY MOURNS THE PASSING OF GARY POOLE

    Gary Jay Poole passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on Saturday, September 7,2013. The Poole family own and operate Buckeye Marine in Bobcaygeon, Ontario, one of the leading marinas in all of North America. Buckeye Marine was established in 1949 by maternal grandfather Tom Thompson as a bait and tackle shop on the water. Son-in-law Frank Poole brought mechanical expertise from his background in the automotive industry and together they ventured into boat and motor rental and repair. Over time, grandsons Gary, David and Chris joined the business and it grew into a substantial sales and service facility.

  • OUR INDUSTRY MOURNS THE PASSING OF BOB EATON

    Robert J. (Bob) Eaton passed away Thursday, September 5th, 2013. Bob Eaton was a life-long supporter of the marine industry in Canada and most specifically in southern Ontario where he spent 27 years teaching technical and marine business courses at Georgian College. In 1988, Bob developed the Georgian College 3-year Marine Technology Program, he served on the Provincial Advisory Committee for 25 years and in 1986, produced training standards for marine apprenticeship. He also assisted in bringing Mercury, Bombardier, Volvo Penta and Harley Davidson factory service training to Georgian College.

  • ALL CANADIAN MARINE INDUSTRY INVITED TO NETWORK AND LEARN AT BCMTA CONFERENCE EVENT

    The spotlight is on the customer at this year’s BC Marine Industry Conference November 27th and 28th at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond. Registration for the 3rd Annual Conference is significantly higher than the same time the previous two years, according to the BC Marine Trades Association (BCMTA).  “We are thrilled with the positive response to this year’s conference. Our goal always is to deliver on a theme that will provide our members and other attendees with the tools and support they need to grow and evolve their businesses,” says BCMTA Executive Director Kim Barbero. “We know that customer satisfaction correlates directly to profitability and our goal is to set people up for success.”

  • INVASIVE SPECIES CENTRE CALL FOR PROPOSALS: PROJECTS AND INTERNSHIPS

    The Invasive Species Centre (ISC) is now accepting proposals for invasive species project funding for up to $35,000 per project. This year's themes focus on: managing risk by looking ahead, invasive species impacts, rapid response coordination, detection and management tools and educating youth. Successful projects will demonstrate impacts on policy or resource management goals for Ontario. Project funding proposal applications must be submitted online no later than 12:00 noon, Friday, October 11, 2013.

  • USWATERCRAFT ACQUIRES RIGHTS TO BUILD C&C YACHTS

    USWatercraft of Warren RI and Tartan Marine Co are pleased to announce that USWatercraft has acquired the exclusive rights to build, develop, distribute and  market all new models of the famed C&C Yachts brand from Tartan Marine. "We are extremely excited to carry on the traditions established by the legendary Canadian boat builders who introduced C&C Yachts some 50 years ago. We look forward to building state of the art, beautiful, high quality and competitively priced C&C sailboats, at our 100,000 square ft. facility in Warren, RI." said Randy Borges president of USWatercraft.  USWatercraft plans to begin production of its new C&C models this fall.

  • WINNERS CELEBRATED AT MOBILITY CUP 2013

    Disabilities were left behind on the dock as 41 sailors from across North America and as far away as Australia challenged the waters of Halifax harbour from August 25 to 30.   The Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron was the site of the High Liner Foods 2013 Mobility Cup, a sailing regatta for people with disabilities of all kinds.  The competitors sailed Martin 16 sailboats which are specially constructed to allow a variety of adaptations to allow people with disabilities to experience the freedom and competitiveness of sailing. 

  • PRIDE MARINE GROUP ACQUISITION OF SKYLINE MARINA NOW COMPLETE

    Boating Industry Canada and Canadian Yachting magazine met with Paul Nickel and Dan Pride of the Pride Marine Group for an in-person update on their recent acquisition of the Skyline Marina. According to Dan Pride, the dialogue began almost three years ago but firm arrangements came together with the owners of Skyline Marina this past spring. The acquisition is now complete. While the Pride Marine Group operates six different Ontario locations and represents 8 different boat lines, the Skyline Marina acquisition marks the first time they have worked with Sea Ray or a Brunswick Boat Group business. Dan Pride commented, “The Brunswick Boat Group is great

  • ELECTRONICS DEALERS ATTEND GOST 7TH ANNUAL TECHNICAL TRAINING AND SALES SEMINAR

    Marine security, tracking and monitoring products supplier GOST® (Global Ocean Security Technologies) recently hosted their leading marine electronics dealers at the company's 7th annual technical training and sales seminar at the Bahia Mar Resort and Marina in Fort Lauderdale. The one-day seminar featured an overview of the GOST product line, the introduction of new products and company integrations with FLIR and KVH products. The seminar also featured a live demonstration of a complete GOST system aboard Phantom, a 62 Azimut, where dealers experienced the GOST Cloak deterrent system first-hand.

  • IMTECH MARINE APPOINTS MANAGING DIRECTOR OF IMTECH MARINE USA

    Imtech Marine (Rotterdam) announces that as of the 15th of July 2013, Capt. Eric Clarke has been appointed as Managing Director of lmtech Marine USA (headquarters Houston). Capt. Clarke has a broad maritime experience and a proven business track record. Capt. Clarke pursued a career at sea and sailed both as Captain and Chief Engineer. After about 10 years at sea, Eric started a long career ashore. Prior to joining Imtech, Eric held the position of Vice President Americas at RightShip (a specialized company offering the commercial shipping industry a Ship Vetting Information System), building the company to be a world leader in its field, performing over 34,000 vets and over 3,000 ship inspections.

  • SOLAR AND ELECTRIC POWERED BOAT HITS MILESTONE ON GREAT LOOP

    Skipper Jim Greer's remarkable quest to complete the Great Loop, a circular navigation of the eastern half of the US, using only solar power, recently hit a milestone. The solar and electric powered craft has already made it more than halfway through its journey. As of mid-August, it has traversed the Oswego and Erie Canals and will soon navigate into Lake Ontario.
    The over 6,600 mile journey, which Greer hopes will merit a place in the Guinness Book of World Records, relies on a dedicated four-person crew and two Torqeedo Cruise 4.0 electric outboard motors. This monumental undertaking commenced on January 11 from New Port Ritchie,

  • THE CANADIAN SAFE BOATING COUNCIL REMINDS YOU TO NOMINATE YOUR LOCAL BOATING HEROES TODAY

    Ah, summer. This is the time that we, as Canadian boaters, enjoy the most. Early morning forays onto the water in search of that elusive catch; afternoons spent carving a perfect wake and quiet evenings spent cruising pristine shorelines. It's also the perfect time to think about recognizing the efforts of those who do so much to make our favourite on-water activities both safer and environmentally sustainable…and it's through the Canadian Safe Boating Awards that you can do just that.

  • USED BOAT BUYERS BEWARE: ARE YOU BUYING A HURRICANE SANDY BOAT?

    With the fall boat buying season approaching, buyers looking for a pre-owned boat can often find deals as sellers, not wanting to take on the upcoming expense of winter storage fees, are in the bargaining mood. However, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) estimates that 65,000 boats were damaged or lost when Superstorm Sandy struck. Now, nearly a year later, some of those boats are being sold on the used boat market, either in “as is” condition, or after repairs have been made. That’s not necessarily a bad thing if the seller is truthful about any past damage. However, the problem exists when sellers fail to fess up to a boat’s true condition. So how does a used boat buyer go into a purchase with eyes wide open?