2020 Australian Superyacht Rendezvous postponed due to COVID-19

Yesterday’s decision to postpone the Great Barrier Reef event – it was scheduled to run from October 15 to 18 – was in direct response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, organiser and owner of the Coral Sea Marina Resort that was to have hosted the event, Paul Darrouzet said.

Of most concern for organisers was the growing uncertainty around border closures – Queensland currently restricts travel from COVID-19 hotspots including Victoria and greater Sydney, and requires everyone entering the state to undergo 14 days of compulsory quarantine – as well as the potential for more lockdown restrictions.

“We have remained positive about keeping options open to stage the Australian Superyacht Rendezvous in October 2020 – particularly in light of the sadness and disappointment that has come with so many events being cancelled, but we don’t feel there will be enough recovery time to be able to proceed with the event with the remaining lead time,” Darrouzet said in a statement posted to the event’s website yesterday that announcing the move.

“The implications of COVID-19 and subsequent international and domestic travel restrictions, financial and logistical issues are beyond our control and we have been left with no other option than to postpone,” he said.

No timeline for setting a new date was mentioned.

The event was designed to tap into an influx of superyachts to Australia as the global superyacht community transited to Japan for the Olympics that were to be held in August, and then on to New Zealand for next year's America's Cup defence.

The four-day event was also aimed at showcasing the Great Barrier Reef and Queensland as a highly desirable international superyacht destination for superyacht “hops” and island stays.

Meanwhile, organisers behind the now-cancelled 2020 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show are still progressing with its replacement, the 2020 Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival.

The reorganised event is scheduled from November 13-15 and aims to act as a precursor to the 2021 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

“The event will showcase a broad range of impressive exhibitor displays across both land and water, with some of the biggest names in the Australian marine industry expected to make an appearance, the event’s organisers said.

“As Gold Coasters continue to back local businesses and bolster the economy, the Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival will focus on supporting the local marine industry, with South East Queensland brands among those invited to display the latest in boating and fishing.”

Entry to the event will be free, but organisers say there will be strict crowd limits in place to ensure the event complies with coronavirus control measures.