Bankrupt Moonen Yachts acquired by Australian couple

Matthew and Louise Baxter - new owners of Moonen Yachts
Matthew and Louise Baxter – new owners of Moonen Yachts

Dutch superyacht builder Moonen Yachts is under new ownership. An Australian couple, Matthew and Louise Baxter are the new owners of the shipyard. Matthew, of Scottish origin, is a successful Australian businessman and entrepreneur, who in 1972 established the A M Group, a privately owned worldwide group of manufacturing companies of which he is executive chairman.
Louise and Matthew first discovered Moonen Yachts whilst sailing on Pittwater harbour in Sydney where they came across the Moonen yacht, Aurora (Moonen 84). This lead to their involvement with Moonen, a midsized Dutch pedigree shipyard with a dedicated and highly skilled team.

In Matthew’s words, “It is a privilege to own a yard like Moonen. The brand has an impeccable pedigree, the yachts are true Dutch quality and the team is young, reliable, talented, and very loyal to the company. These characteristics are fundamental for success. I realise that the yard has to re-energise, but we are well Continue reading “Bankrupt Moonen Yachts acquired by Australian couple”

The Boat Works set to welcome superyachts to its new facility in Queensland

The Boat Works
The Boat Works

Australian shipyard and marina facility The Boat Works has expanded, doubling in size to 54 acres (218,530 square metres). The yard will welcome the first superyachts to its new facility later on this year.

It is anticipated that the new superyacht yard, with private investment of over $100m, will generate thousands of jobs in the marine and service industries.

Tony Longhurst, The Boat Works owner, commented, “We are committed to maintaining the health of our waterways, to operating sustainably and with minimal impact on the environment.

“The innovations we have implemented throughout the existing facility and Continue reading “The Boat Works set to welcome superyachts to its new facility in Queensland”

Workboat apprenticeship scheme tackles skills and crewing challenges

Training providers including 54 North Maritime and Red Ensign are drawing up plans to run courses for the scheme
Training providers including 54 North Maritime and Red Ensign are drawing up plans to run courses for the scheme

The National Workboat Association (NWA) has finalised its Workboat Crewmember Apprenticeship standard as the industry faces growing skills and crewing challenges in the thriving workboat sector.

This scheme is aimed at addressing industry concerns about falling numbers of young people entering the industry at ground level, exasperated by experienced seafarers leaving the industry, often by retirement.

As well as tugs and ‘multicat’-type vessels the definition of workboat in this context includes: offshore wind personnel transfer vessels, survey craft and pilot vessels, all sectors experiencing growth involving increasingly sophisticated and technically demanding vessels but still requiring seamanship skills that have been around for generations. The new apprenticeship standard has now been finalised, paving the way for the scheme to be rolled out by training providers across England and Wales.

The Workboat Crewmember Standard and assessment has been Continue reading “Workboat apprenticeship scheme tackles skills and crewing challenges”

New marina project set to provide major new jobs boost for Edinburgh

The latest details released by the developer show that phase one alone will now produce over 400 permanent employment opportunities for the local community
The latest details released by the developer show that phase one alone will now produce over 400 permanent employment opportunities for the local community

The developer of the new Edinburgh Marina development has confirmed that the number of new permanent jobs created, as a result of the £500 million waterside development, will exceed the figure previously estimated by the City of Edinburgh Council in 2016.

As a result of phase one alone, which includes the new marina and hotel, the number of permanent job opportunities available was previously expected to reach 300 in CEC projections. The latest details released by the developer show that phase one alone will now produce over 400 permanent employment opportunities for the local community. In addition to the increased number of new jobs provided by the Edinburgh Marina development, the percentage of affordable homes that will be delivered throughout the scheme is far in excess of original expectations and well timed to assist with Edinburgh’s desperate need for this type of accommodation.

Continue reading “New marina project set to provide major new jobs boost for Edinburgh”

Maritime UK has established a Taskforce to increase the number of women within the UK maritime sector

Maritime UK has established a Taskforce increase the number of women within the UK maritime sector
Maritime UK has established a Taskforce increase the number of women within the UK maritime sector

The Taskforce brings together leaders from across the maritime sector to identify practical steps to increase the number of women in maritime, and crucially within senior roles across its shipping, ports, marine and business services industries.

Achieving a balanced workforce at all levels in the maritime sector will undoubtedly improve culture, behaviour, outcomes, profitability and productivity.

During London International Shipping Week, then Maritime Minister Rt Hon John Hayes MP called for industry to address gender imbalance in the sector. Government are represented on the Taskforce.

The Taskforce will make a series of recommendations and utilise Continue reading “Maritime UK has established a Taskforce to increase the number of women within the UK maritime sector”

ICOMIA seeks a new Technical Manager

ICOMIA seeks a new Technical Manager
ICOMIA seeks a new Technical Manager

ICOMIA, the marine industry’s international trade association, seeks a Technical Manager to assume the appointment by the end of 2014.

The Technical Manager is the industry’s interface with both international and regional regulatory authorities and standardisation bodies on technical, legislative and standardisation issues covering recreational craft, superyachts and equipment including marine engines.

Providing technical advice to ICOMIA members and engine manufacturers, the Technical Manager monitors IMO legislative developments in coordination with the ICOMIA IMO Representative, as well as Continue reading “ICOMIA seeks a new Technical Manager”

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