Onwards and Upwards
After a well attended and comprehensive AGM for SABBEX/Boating South Africa held at RCYC on Tuesday 24th April, the mood and general sentiment is currently one of great optimism.
There are however dark clouds about that we must be aware of and it is vital to keep running a tight ship with best possible products.
Internationally there have been some major casualties, Green Marine and Oyster Yachts, the famous UK yachtbuilder as well as the Industry giant, Bavaria Yachts of Germany have gone into Business rescue.
Locally we have seen the sad demise of TAG yachts and recently Nautic has been placed in Business rescue.
Not an easy industry right now that is for sure but optimism in the SA Boatbuilding sector is high and order books are looking solid. The positive impact of the re-building of vessels for the Virgin Islands charter fleet decimated by the hurricanes late last year is only now being felt as insurance payouts have been slow in coming. This has caused long delays in paying deposits for new orders.
Certainly a bright start to 2018 for catamaran builders in SA.
At SABBEX/Boating SA we are very fortunate to have Vanessa Davidson back running the show for us. You cannot beat her experience in this sector with Members and our key partners and her enthusiasm is certainly infectious. Welcome back onboard Vanessa.
Our #1 Quarterly Networking Session was held 2 weeks ago at the Protea Hotel Victoria Junction. A huge hit with over 50 attendees. We were fortunate to have Capt. Nic Sloane as our keynote speaker. Nic was the master Salvage Expert who rolled and re-floated the Italian cruiseship, the Costa Concordia in an amazing feat using a unique method, “parbuckling”, last used at Pearl Harbour on a warship!! Quite a different matter on a massive cruiseship. Watch this space for the #2 Quarterly Networking Session in June/July
Looking ahead, we are excited to be a part of the NEW Cape Town Boatshow, to be managed and operated in 2018 by the new owners, Messe Frankfurt. A major revamped plan and layout has been presented with up to 30% more hard space and the same with water space. Great incentives for Members and even better incentives for new Members. Give Vanessa a call to book space. More details will follow as released by Messe Frankfurt.
The SABBEX and MIASA websites have been merged. Please check it out, You Tube clips, more social media, more content and much more relevant.
BUT we cannot be all things to all people so PLEASE send ideas, thoughts, input to Vanessa or myself. We cross a variety of sectors in the marine space with very different needs and concerns. Building the brand Boating South Africa is our goal.
Safe sailing – Clean Oceans