Changing Scene

ICOMIA APPOINTS NEW TECHNICAL MANAGER

The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) welcomed its newest member to the Secretariat. Patrick Hemp will with immediate effect take over as Technical Manager – representing ICOMIA on technical legislative and standardisation issues covering recreational craft, restricted range superyachts and equipment including marine engines. Patrick, a naval architect with almost 20- years’ project management and design experience, is from Cape Town, South Africa with dual UK citizenship.

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DR. SHRINK WINS DISTRIBUTOR OF THE YEAR

With a reputation for high-quality products and service, Dr. Shrink was recently awarded Distributor of the Year by Shrinkfast Marketing. The international premium shrink wrap supplier was given this honor not only due to its high volume sales, but also its unique approach to marketing and training. Dr. Shrink also serves as an authorized heat tool repair center. "Dr. Shrink offers marketing programs for its customers and Shrink Wrap University, a hands-on training workshop that not only shows the

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SMARTPLUG IS SHORE POWER SOLUTION FOR METALCRAFT

Proving its revolutionary products are built for use in the commercial marine market, SmartPlug has been named as the shore power solution for Kingston, Ontario-based MetalCraft Marine Inc. SmartPlug will supply its 50 and 30 amp products to the standard in the world's toughest fireboats. "We're honored to provide shore power solutions to MetalCraft commercial vessels," said Ken Smith, SmartPlug owner and creator. "We look forward to a long, mutually beneficial relationship and generating more business in the commercial sector."

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BOATUS FOUNDATION PRESIDENT CHRIS EDMONSTON ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF AMERICAN NATIONAL SAFE BOATING COUNCIL

BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water President Chris Edmonston has been elected Chairman of the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) in the United States. Created in its current form by the Federal Boating Safety Act of 1971, the Council is the nation's principle public-private boating safety advocacy organization with a coalition of over 330 US and international member organizations. Its mission is to promote a safer recreational boating experience through education, outreach and training. "Chris has made boating safety education more accessible for thousands of America's boaters, contributing to the Council's effort to ensure everyone has a great, and safe, day on the water." said BoatUS President Margaret Podlich. "We are humbled by the Council's decision to

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BOATING ONTARIO ANNOUNCES KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR DECEMBER 1ST CONFERENCE

Boating Ontario has announced the keynote speaker for the annual Boating Ontario Conference and Trade Show that runs from Sunday, December 1 to Tuesday December 3 at beautiful Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ontario. Donald Dubois, President of Princecraft Boats, will kick off the Conference sessions on Monday morning as this year's keynote speaker. Princecraft, located in Princeville, Québec is one of the largest boat manufacturers in Canada building fishing boats, pontoons and deck boats. Donald will discuss how Princecraft Boats has continually manufactured boats in Canada for the past 60 years in a small Quebec town and

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TRUE NORTH YACHTS TO REPRESENT BENETEAU POWERBOATS

True North Yachts, based in Port Credit, Ontario is now the exclusive dealer for Beneteau’s Powerboats Division in Ontario. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome True North Yachts as our exclusive partner for the Beneteau Powerboats Division in southwestern Ontario,” says Beneteau America President Laurent Fabre. “True North Yachts has earned the respect and admiration of their industry peers and most importantly their clients. We look forward to working closely with their team to exceed customer expectations in every way,” remarks Fabre.

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GILL SELLS THE MAJORITY STAKE IN ITS CLOTHING COMPANY TO YFM

The undisclosed sum of money paid to Douglas Gill International to YFM Equity Partners is intended to back their existing management team. Gill was established in the 1975 by Nick Gill who started up the business in his father's Nottingham lace factory. The Gill business makes technical sailing clothing and accessories and exported to more than 35 countries and last year and won the Queen's Award for Enterprise for International Trade. Gill employs more than 40 staff at its Long Eaton site.

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SELL PROFESSIONAL WINTERIZING TO YOUR CUSTOMERS TO AVOID INSURANCE CLAIMS

We recently saw an article about winterizing boats and the limitations in their insurance policies that boat owners may face. Is the boat kept in an indoor facility? If so, does it need to be winterized? We contacted Drew Robertson at Skippers' Plan Insurance, The CG&B Group Inc., and we asked him about freezing and ice damage, especially for DIY boat owners. He explained that every insurance company approaches freezing and ice damage differently. Damage caused by ice is normally excluded while the boat is afloat between November 30 and April 1. Damage to an engine block due to freezing is also excluded unless the owner can demonstrate it was properly winterized.

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MERCURY MARINE RECYCLING CHALLENGE EARNS AWARD FROM FESTIVAL AND EVEN ASSOCIATION

A recycling program spearheaded by Mercury Marine and implemented at the 2013 Walleye Weekend Festival in Fond du Lac, Wis., earned a Gold Pinnacle Award from the International Festivals & Events Association in the “Best Green Program – Budget Under $250,000” category.
Area elementary school students decorated 55-gallon recycling containers with various environmental themes for a chance to win a $500 grant toward green initiatives and education. The containers were then placed along high-traffic areas during the 2013 Walleye Weekend festival and were highly utilized.

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EXTERNAL STERN THRUSTERS CAN MAKE BOATING FAR EASIER

Even the most experienced boaters can encounter difficulty when maneuvering in close quarters or backing into a dock and adding a thruster package just may not be possible for every boat. Canadian products, Sideshift Stern Thrusters are ideal for boats from 20 to 50', whether cruiser, sportboat, sailboat, houseboat, pontoon boat or catamaran. With effortless joystick control, they put any captain in confident command of his craft.

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WHY HAVE OVER 2,000 PEOPLE DOWNLOADED THE MAN OVERBOARD APP?

According to TechCrunch, only 20% of all Apps get downloaded more than 100 times. So why has the Man Over-board app for iPhone already been downloaded more than 2,000 times in 44 countries? We put the question to the man who developed the app, sailor Adrian Stanway, CEO of Intelligent Maintenance. “Sadly an MOB situation is a fairly common occurrence. Try putting ‘Man Overboard’ into Google Alerts. You will find that every day, somewhere in the world, an MOB is either rescued or lost at sea. Simply put, it could happen to you”.

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IBEX CONCLUDES, ORGANIZERS REPORT BRISK BUSINESS ON SHOW FLOOR

Organizers of the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) announced a strong turnout of highly qualified attendees to this year’s show, attendance was equal to 2012 total verified attendance of 4,700. The boating industry’s networking and trade event took place at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville from September 17-19. Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) commented, “IBEX was well attended this year, but what was most striking to me was that business was taking place on the show

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BOAT ED PRESENTS INNOVATIONS AWARD TO DAN SHIPMAN OF THE US COAST GUARD

Commander Dan Shipman, Recreational Boating Safety Specialist for the 13th Coast Guard District received the Innovations Award on Sept. 17 at the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators’ conference. The Innovations Award, which is sponsored by Kalkomey Enterprises, Inc., parent company of Boat Ed, recognizes Shipman’s perseverance in delivering the Coastal Bar Warning and Information System in the coastal harbors of Oregon and Washington.

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CANADIAN SAFE BOATING COUNCIL ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM

“Boating is the quintessential Canadian summer activity; our role quite simply is to help make it safer,” says Jean Murray, Chair of the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC), at the launch of its annual Symposium. The CSBC hosts a symposium each year, inviting boating organizations from around the globe to discuss ways to encourage the boating population to enjoy boating – with safety in mind. Over the next two days, the Hilton Whistler Resort and Spa will be home to close to 70 Symposium participants.

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CORRECTION: SPONSOR UPDATE FOR SHOW AT THE CREEK

Our item in last week's Newsweek about Mosquito Creek Marina’s seventh annual Boat Show at the Creek stated incorrectly that the BC Yacht Brokers Association was a sponsor of the show. BCYBA was not a sponsor of the September 19-22 event; the sponsor roster included:
Celebration on the Water
Seaspan
Outlook
JLT
Cedar Creek Estate Winery

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NOVA SCOTIA BOATBUILDERS ASSOCIATION ABYC EDUCATION SESSIONS IN DECEMBER

The Nova Scotia Boatbuilders Association will be hosting valuable ABYC Marine Electrical Certification courses this December 9th through 12, 2013 in Nova Scotia. The sessions will feature ABYC Director of Education Ed Sherman. Here is Ed video taped in Louisville, Kentucky at the 2013 IBEX Show, extending his own personal invitation to join his sessions

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JEANNEAU OF THE AMERICAS INVITES YOU TO ANNAPOLIS

Jeanneau of the Americas will have a big presence at Annapolis in the United States Sailboat Show October 10 through 14, 2013, with a whole range of new and updated sailboats to inject a big dose of consumer excitement into the industry. Annapolis is a major show for Jeanneau and Paul Fenn, President of Jeanneau of the Americas has put a short video invitation together, encouraging people to attend this significant show.

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UPBEAT BOAT SALES OUTLOOK CONTINUES AT MOSQUITO CREEK SHOW

Mosquito Creek Marina’s seventh annual Boat Show at the Creek, September 19-22, enjoyed three days of good weather and solid attendance before autumn rains struck with a vengeance on the closing Sunday. Exhibitors reported quality traffic and some sales at the show, Western Canada’s largest on-water event, carrying on the positive outlook that has buoyed the coast’s boat sales sector throughout 2013. Sponsored by the BC Yacht Brokers Association, the show brought more than 160 boats, including an impressive selection of new sail and powerboats, to the North Shore marina’s docks, along with about 70 shoreside displays of boating products and services.

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CANADIAN YACHTING CELEBRATES ITS 10TH ANNUAL BREAKFAST AT THE US SAIL SHOW IN ANNAPOLIS

Canadian Yachting in partnership with Robertson & Robertson Yacht Insurance Ltd. invite you and a guest to the 10th Anniversary Canadian Breakfast! To our friends in the Canadian marine industry, if you are going to be attending the Annapolis Show, come and join us for breakfast on Friday October 11th.

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IBEX ANNOUNCES INNOVATION AWARD WINNERS

The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) announced the winners of the 2013 IBEX Innovation Awards. A panel of experienced technical boating journalists and editors from Boating Writers International (BWI) judged all entries and presented awards to the winners at the All-Industry Breakfast, which took place at the 2013 IBEX conference. IBEX organizers created the Innovation Awards to recognize significant contributions to marine product technology.
“We are extremely pleased with the caliber of all entries this year,” said Alan Wendt, chairman of the BWI judging panel. “Marine technology is

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