Sydney International Boat Show 2008

Sydney International Boatshow 2008The majority of government and non-government organisations that support the boating community were all together on one stand for the first time at the 2008 Sydney International Boat Show (31 July to 5 August), hosted by the Boating Industry Association NSW.

The ‘marine precinct’ created on stand no. 505 in Hall 5 as a coordinated effort to provide convenient support to the boating community will be used as a base model for coming shows.

In total 70,767 visited this year's show - slightly down on last year - but with many exhibitors reporting favourable outcomes.

The Marine PrecinctThe marine precinct included:

  • Australian Maritime Safety Authority
  • Australian Hydrographic Office
  • Australian Volunteer Coastal Patrol
  • Coastal Watch
  • NSW Department of Lands
  • NSW Fisheries
  • NSW Maritime
  • Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol
  • Water Police

The NSW Maritime stand featured a daily competition to win a 406 EPIRB, with one lucky person each day winning a 406 digital beacon. The final milestone date for people to make the ‘switch to a 406’ is 1 February 2009, when the signal from 121 MHz beacons will no longer be monitored by authorities.

The You’re the Skipper, You’re Responsible theme was used throughout the marine precinct – reminding skippers of their responsibilities on the waterways and the need to continually observe maritime regulations and safety requirements.

Boat operators, or skippers, are responsible for the safety of their vessel and the people on board.

DPI standA lack of judgment, alcohol and excessive speed are the biggest contributing factors in reported boating incidents.

NSW Maritime coordinated the marine precinct in a bid to help the boating community with a single point of call for government marine services.

In one example of the positive feedback NSW Maritime received, the Australian Hydrographic Service - RAN Corporate Communications Manager said:

"Just wanted to say a very big thank you to you and your team for organising such a fantastic stand at the Sydney Boat Show. From the look of the Marine Precinct, the layout, the shell-scheme, power, data cables, furniture, show passes - all thanks to your planning and organisation! The whole process - from move in to bump out - went smoothly.

From an AHS perspective - the Marine Precinct - was a great idea and gave us great exposure.

Comments from the visitors to the show included many that said it was so easy to find us all since all the government types were in the same place...and if they came to the wrong part of the stand it was very easy for them to be re-directed to the right place to get what they were after.

Thanks again for putting together the Marine Precinct idea, and for all your hard work to make sure the process ran so well."

 

  
Visit the NSW Maritime website.
   Winter 2008