Auto Club for boats

Few Australian car owners are not members of motoring clubs such as the RAC or the NRMA which provide not just roadside assistance but also help with insurance, proper maintenance, maps and travel.

Now Victorian boat owners can get similar benefits from the BIA Boat Club that will be launched at next month's Melbourne Boat Show.

Everyone who buys a ticket to the show will receive one application for a free first year of membership of the Boat Club.

Members will receive a range of privileges including insurance, finance and specialist boating advice - as well as having a new and powerful voice on boating issues.

Those who join will have access to BIA Victoria Finance and a special personal accident insurance policy through BIA insurance providers IC Frith, as well as discounted boat handling courses, regular Boat Club e-news and "show your card and  save" discounts on many marine products and services.

BIA general manager Clyde Batty says the BIA Boat Club will strengthen the role of BIA as the peak representative body for Victorian boaters of all levels. "The major strength of the BIA Boat Club is that it represents the hundreds of thousands of responsible recreational boaters in Victoria and protects their interests," Batty says.

"It is very much like the auto clubs in this respect, with the main difference being that the on-water equivalent of road service is provided by marine rescue organisations such as the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association."

Check out BIA Vic.com.au for more details.