SPECIAL REPORT: Ocean Media take the pulse of the industry

In this week's special OceanLIVE my team and I take the pulse of our industry. We have talked to business owners, industry stalwarts, owners and captains. For most, it is definitely not business as usual. Though despite the difficulties that lie ahead many companies remain resilient and are coming-up with creative ways to keep their doors open. Recent events have also led to big changes in business practices such as introducing improved safety measures and adopting new operating guidelines. The significant positive that has emerged from our calls is a genuine concern for each other and a strong desire for industry collaboration. We’ve been discussing this for years but the intense pressure of recent events is forcing change. This is what will get us through the tough months ahead; for both yacht owners and, as an industry. Together we will move through this year, battered, some a little worse for wear. However, just as during the post-GFC period, many of us will emerge with a fresh approach and maybe, a better appreciation of our freedom to be able to go boating in the first place. 

For many owners and captains this is usually the time of year to start preparing your boat for its yearly maintenance, with many boats heading north to the Gold Coast and Brisbane, the seasonal mecca for all boating services and recreational boating. Trying to find out whether it’s still possible to cross the maritime border from NSW to QLD has proven to be a little harder than we thought. Two days on the phone to ASMA, Border Force, NSW Maritime, Queensland Transport and Main Roads, Superyacht Australia and the BIA has yielded an incomplete picture as each State and Territory implements its own response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past week there have been many changes. It’s still unclear tonight for example, whether you can or can’t go boating in Queensland, though clarification is expected sometime tomorrow.

At this point in time, (31 March) in certain States and Territories you are still able to go boating and fishing as long as you adhere to all government advice in your area. In saying this, whether you should go out is another matter. Remember, this is an unprecedented challenge for us all. Today the BIA announced "State Governments around the country are now issuing directions to stay at home unless absolutely necessary and a number of States have been explicit in stating that recreational boating is not an essential activity under the conditions of this pandemic." The question is one of wider responsibility; what about the healthcare workers and maritime volunteers if anything happens to you while onboard?

What shouldn’t be forgotten is that at Australia’s remote boundaries fishing can sometimes be the only way to feed a family. So a blanket ban emanating from Canberra has limited relevance across vast and diverse jurisdictions ranging from the bottom of Tasmania to the Torres Strait.

There is also the vexed issue of internationally flagged superyachts. Ocean understands a number of foreign owned vessels have entered Australian waters for refit over the past few weeks, with their crews undertaking their 14-day lockdown period at various yards and marinas. There is, however, much uncertainty surrounding over the arrangements regarding new arrivals. With Australia and New Zealand being seen as the safe-havens in our region for crew to bunker down in, we hope governments see sense and not place them in the same category as the cruise ship industry.

As we all know, the news about COVID-19 churns-out at a relentless pace, so please keep in touch with your local BIA and State and Territory government maritime websites for updates.

 In the latest round of COVID-19 related event changes: 

• Singapore Yacht Show has confirmed new dates for the show this year, and confirmed the introduction of a new Hong Kong Yacht Show to take place at the International Cruise and Yachting Festival 2020. 
• The Boating Industry Association (BIA) has made the decision to cancel the Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide Boat Shows for 2020. 
• New Zealand went into a month-long national lockdown and the country is alert Level 4, which includes severe restrictions on travel, and recreational boating is not being permitted. 
• The fourth annual Australian Superyacht Rendezvous to be staged in the Whitsundays from 15-18 October 2020 says while the event falls safely outside the currently predicted six month threat period for COVID-19 in Australia, the evolving situation is being monitored by organisers and will be carefully reviewed again in May.

Keep safe & well,

 Hillary Buckman - Managing Director - Ocean Media

https://oceanmagazine.com.au/finger-on-the-pulse/

We want to hear from you. Please contact us with your company’s experiences and ways that you are adapting to the unfolding crisis by emailing [email protected]