Following the purchase of Fairline Boats Limited last month by Wessex Bristol Investments, its new owners has said it has taken significant steps to move the company back towards profitability.
The company has announced it will be undergoing a workforce restructure, involving the business entering into a collective consultation period with staff. Fairline Boats said it needs to trim down operations to better reflect the marketplace environment and allow it to operate more efficiently.
New industry statistics released by industry trade body Superyacht UK, show that their is rising revenues and jobs growth in the British superyacht sector. The research, for the year 2014/15, is launched as global visitors travel to watch British companies showcase their best at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show.
The key findings include:
Industry revenue has grown by +10.2% year-on-year, to £542 million
48% of those surveyed reported an increase in profits
The sector now contributes £304 million in GVA to UK GDP
An increase in demand has also led to an increase in work load, full time jobs and more valuable order books:
Continue reading “Research shows rising revenues and jobs growth in the British superyacht sector”
The British Coatings Federation (BCF) Marine Coatings Group has addressed concerns that authorities may decide to restrict the application and use of antifouling (AF) paints to strictly professional applicators and organisations, by launching a survey to determine DIY use of AF paints in the UK.
The survey looks to raise awareness amongst the boat-owning community regarding this issue, determine the current practice related to AF paint use by the DIY market, determine the awareness of users to the hazards of AF paint, emphasizing the importance of using appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, and to provide an indication as to the impact on AF paint sales, boat maintenance costs and leisure boat ownership, if such a restriction becomes law.
Continue reading “British Coatings Federation to survey use of antifouling paints”
Windcat Workboats has launched its latest vessel for the growing renewable energy industry at ABP’s Port of Lowestoft.
The vessel, ‘Windcat 38,’ is the first to be launched following the signing of a long term lease agreement between ABP and Windcat Workboats for their new marine engineering facility in the port.
Windcat Workboats owns and operates over 38 offshore crew transfer vessels which are predominantly used in the European offshore wind sector.
Continue reading “Windcat Workboats builds engineering base at ABP Lowestoft”
At the IIMS London Conference Dinner 2015 on Monday 7 September aboard HMS Belfast, Jeffrey Casciani-Wood was presented with a lifetime achievement award by IIMS President, Capt Bertrand Apperry. The award was unanimously agreed by the Management Board at a recent meeting and is a fitting and suitable recognition of Jeffrey’s 70 years of service to the boat, ship and marine surveying profession.
In his citation, Mike Schwarz, IIMS CEO, said, “This lifetime achievement award recognises a 70 year association, or should that be obsession, with the boating, shipping and marine surveying sectors.”
In a moving ceremony, the 100 plus dinner guests rose to their feet as one to applaud Jeffrey as he came forward to receive and accept his crystal gift from The President to mark the occasion.
Continue reading “Jeffrey Casciani-Wood receives IIMS Lifetime Achievement Award”
News has reached the IIMS head office of the sad death of Capt Paul Townsend, who passed away after a long illness fought with courage and fortitude. He died on 28 August 2015 at a hospice on the Isle of Wight, UK. He was 76 years old.
Paul was a Fellow of the Institute and an active member of the IIMS Management Board. Until recent months, he was a regular contributor to that forum. He also regularly attended Certifying Authority training days. He joined IIMS in 2002 and was made a Fellow in 2010.
Paul joined the Merchant Navy as a Cadet with Clan Line, studying at Warsash Maritime College, Hampshire, UK and obtained his Master’s Certificate in 1969.
The British Marine Technical team, working with the RYA, has completed the first drafting of the review of the SCV technical specifications as laid down in MGN 280, the Code of Practice for the construction, machinery, stability, operation, manning and examination of small commercial vessels less than 24m load line length that carry 12 or fewer passengers.
This draft can be found on the British Marine website for those companies or individuals who wish to read through and provide feedback on the proposed text. The cut-off date for comments is 5 October 2015. All comments will be compiled and a Working Group of interested parties will then be asked to take part in a one or two day meetings at Marine House at the end of October, prior to the first draft being submitted to the MCA for discussion.
Continue reading “MCA small commercial vessel code of practice – yellow and blue codes”
Shipping Minister Robert Goodwill welcomes milestone as a major report continues into Britain’s maritime industries. Reforms and ideas to drive the UK’s position as a leading maritime nation have been published. The work will be used by the chair of the Maritime Growth Study, Lord Mountevans, as he examines how Britain’s maritime industries can build on their multi-billion pound contribution to the economy.
The results of an industry consultation are now available on GOV.UK alongside an independent report into the international competitiveness of the UK maritime sector. A report commissioned by Maritime and Coastguard Agency has also been published. This report provides an industry perspective on the performance of the UK Ship Register and gives recommendations on how it can become more internationally competitive, subsequently boosting the number of ships flying the UK Flag.
Continue reading “Maritime Growth Study evidence published to boost British competitiveness”
The 50M yacht ‘MAKO’ Exterior is being developed by ThirtyC Design, in partnership with Baldwin Harris for the interior and what a beauty she looks too. The collaboration between the studios aims to provide a coherent balance between the dramatic exterior, focusing on large areas of glass and entertaining spaces with the cool contemporary, yet relaxed interior blending seamlessly throughout.
The bold statement area of glass forwards by ThirtyC provides a full height floor to ceiling outlook, flooding the space with light, and bringing the feel of the ocean on board.
Continue reading “New 50m MAKO superyacht unveiled by ThirtyC”
Glider Yachts Limited, a new British luxury yacht manufacturer, has announced that JL Audio UK will be its exclusive audio partner. In its first project JL Audio has designed the ultimate sound system for Glider Yachts’ SS18 sports yacht, enabling its passengers and crew to enjoy premium quality audio as they glide over the waves in supreme luxury.
Glider Yachts’ pre-production model is currently in build at Burgess Marine, Trafalgar Wharf, Portchester UK and will be launched at the Monaco Yacht Show this September, where exclusively invited visitors will be able to experience the amazing quality of its JL Audio sound system first hand.
Continue reading “JL Audio to design ultimate sound system for Glider Yachts”
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning specialists, Dometic Marine, have supplied a custom made air cooled system for the Griffon Hoverwork BHT 150 – the largest hovercraft to be manufactured in the UK since the 1970s.
The 30.8-metre craft, which was recently delivered to South Korea for use by the Korean Coast Guard, has been fitted with Dometic’s air-cooled DuraSea Condensing Units. According to the brand, the new unit is an optimal solution for hovercraft, which are vessels that can be difficult to cool with normal marine air-conditioning.
Continue reading “Griffon Hoverwork BHT 150 fitted with Dometic air cooled system”
Wightlink has unveiled the dates and locations for its public exhibition of its proposed £45 million investment plans, which include a new ferry for the Fishbourne to Portsmouth route capable of taking 1,000 passengers, plus port improvements on both sides of the Solent.
Senior managers from Wightlink are looking forward to hearing views from customers, stakeholders and local people in both Fishbourne and Portsmouth during the first weekend in June:
Continue reading “Wightlink unveils plans for new Fishbourne Portsmouth ferry”
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