Melbourne Boat Show has it all

From water safety to meeting world champions

Getting ready to pilot a boat for the first time can be a daunting experience, which is why an integral feature of this year’s Melbourne Boat Show July 5-9 at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre will be Transport Safety Victoria (TSV) approved training courses run by the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard.

Clyde Batty, General Manager of Boating Industry Association of Victoria, said the course covers topics that are relevant to those who are new to recreational boating, as well as those with experience who are wanting to refresh their knowledge.

“Knowing how to recognise and respond to the dangers involved in boating throughout Australian waters is paramount to avoiding a critical incident,” Batty said.

“The course also includes information on planning a trip on the water, launching your boat, and understanding markers and speed limits, so it is a great way to increase confidence for anyone piloting a boat or watercraft,” he adds.

For a very affordable $90 -- plus an additional $20 for PWC training -- proceeds of which go to the Coast Guard to do its vital voluntary work, participants will take part in a 3½ hour interactive session followed by testing. Successful participants will receive a TSV certificate of completion, which they can then present at any VicRoads office to obtain a Recreational Boat Operator License.

One of the Coast Guard’s top trainers, Squadron Commodore Barry Cordwell, will deliver sessions on each day of the Show. Pre-bookings can be completed online at www.biavic.com.au/melbourneboatshow/at-the-show/features-attractions. Bookings can also be made at the show by visiting the Organiser’s office.

In addition to obtaining a license, boat owners need to be aware of their responsibilities regarding vessel registration. To assist with enquiries, representatives from the Shipping Registration Office of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) will be on hand, as well as search and rescue officers from AMSA’s Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC Australia). There will also be AMSA representative available to discuss the National System for Commercial Vessel Safety, with the System’s reforms commencing on January 1, 2013.

PICK OF THE FLEET

- Plenty of new releases on show

After all the legal responsibilities are taken care of, recreational boaters then have to work out which craft will be best suited to their needs. The Melbourne show is a one-stop shop that allows visitors to step aboard everything from wakeboards and towboats to large sailing boats.

Webbe Marine will be exhibiting four models of Sailfish Catamarans including the new release Shelf Runner, as well as the Reef Runner, 2800 Platinum and 3000 Weekender.

Hobie will be unveiling a new fishing kayak to the Victorian public: the lightweight and compact Mirage Pro Angler 12 for anyone who wants to fish lakes, rivers, or open ocean with no boundaries. At 54.4kg fully rigged, the 3.66m long, 0.91m wide hull, sports a 227kg weight capacity and delivers new levels of innovation packed full of must-have fishing features.

To keep the new toy in place, Anchor Right Australia will have their unique range of Australian-made Super SARCA anchors, which offer a unique and revolutionary design featuring superb holding power on a variety of bottom types including mud, sand, gravel and rock, eliminating the need to carry two or more anchors to do the same job.

For those interested in tow sports, Regal Marine will be displaying several new and exciting Malibu Boats (as well as Tabs plate alloy for inland and offshore fishing). BRP Australia will have a huge range of products from Sea-Doo including the RXp-X 260 RS designed for sharp, precise cornering using a race-proven Rotax engine and revolutionary new T3 Hull.

Regal Marine will also have the Sea-Doo GTR 215 and Sea-Doo Wake 230 on hand, whilst MasterCraft will feature their newly launched X30 for the first time in Australia. This new model features a host of new and exciting innovations not seen in any other wakeboat before.

To get that new jet ski to the water, Barca Trailers will have custom made trailers featuring solid-aluminium checker-plate floors, mag wheels, choice of colour and galvanised frame. Barca offers a choice of single or double trailers and sit down or stand up ski trailers.

TOW SPORTS CENTRAL

- Dedicated display for sports boaters

With tow sports becoming such a huge industry over the past decade, the Melbourne boat show will have a special area dedicated to the various disciplines that, ultimately, placed Australia in the top four ranked countries in the world.

Australia boasts the current Women’s World Barefoot Champion as well as past champions and record holders such as Glenn Thurlow -- the first person to jump over 200 feet 61 meters -- and more recently, world record holders Emma Sheers and Karina Nowlan, and Tim Bradstreet 2012 International Water Skier of the Year.

In addition to Melbourne to competing at one of the biggest world class pro events each year, the Moomba Masters, our crack skiers and boarders will participate in watersports events in the USA, Korea and Mexico this year. Then in 2013, Australia will host the Junior World Water Ski Championships at Mulwala.

Visitors to the 2012 Melbourne Boat Show can get a taste of these exciting sports, and meet Daniel Watkins, multiple world wake board champion for Tige Boats as well as three time World Champion Andrew Adkison who will be on the Mastercraft display stand on Friday to Sunday of the show.

Flying in direct from the Pro Tour in the USA, Adkison will be on hand to sign autographs and talk wakeboarding to all those looking for tips.

Tickets for the Melbourne Boat Show can be purchased online at www.biavic.com.au/melbourneboatshow/buy-tickets. Boatpoint.com.au and boatsales.com.au are proud sponsors of the Melbourne Boat Show.

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Melbourne Boat Show has it all

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