Event News

There will be no Boat and Caravan Show at the NEC next year following Ocean's decision to cancel the event due to a lack of support from caravan manufacturers and their dealer community. Ocean has also cancelled the Outdoor Leisure Show, which debuted in 2011 alongside the Boat and Caravan Show. The event, which has run for over 50 years, had been planned for 21 to 26 February 2012.

The move comes after the National Caravan Council’s (NCC) decision to begin organising its own events again and launch the Motorhome, Caravan and Camping Show at Excel London from 14 to 19 February 2012. The NCC decided to re-enter the exhibition organising market after several of its key members opted to stop supporting third-party events.

In a statement, Ocean CEO Trevor Barratt said, “Loyal exhibitors, including a number of caravan dealers and the show’s many visitors, will feel sorry that due to a lack of support from one element of the industry, the 2012 show has cancelled aftermore than 50 years.”

Despite the economic climate, this year’s Southampton Show proved once again that it is the best on the UK calendar. Irving Stewart reports.

This annual boating festival on Southampton’s waterfront always springs a few surprises. As Southampton itself undergoes huge re-development, this show continually morphs into new shapes and spreads into new territory. Indeed this year many of the traditional landmark stands seemed to shift around. Fletcher’s usual spot was occupied by a gaggle of sailing dinghies and the Guinness Bar had shifted from ‘Yamaha Corner’ to a new spot in the shadow of ‘Sunseeker Mountain’. Even so, it wasn’t the desirable prestige boats and expensive gadgets that really stood out but the appearance of new affordable boats from British builders and importers - aptly demonstrating the utter cussedness and unbridled enthusiasm of our boating industry, even in difficult trading conditions. With so many old friends to talk to, new products to discover, and long-standing Boat advertisers to meet, even four full days was not enough. So forgive me if I don’t mention everybody or everything in this show report. Just sit back and enjoy the next eight pages. I certainly enjoyed filling them for you - even if I now ache in every joint below the neck! But such is the joy of being the ‘Grandfather’ of the Boat team. Here's our pick of the new boats...

From BHG, we have the first Yam-powered jet RIB - a lovely little Narwal tender.

 

 

 

 

Read more ...

Premier Marinas, the owner and operator of eight marinas around the UK, will be holding a Sea Safety event at Swanwick Marina on the South Coast, on Saturday 30^th April to Monday 2^nd May, from 10am to 4pm.

Over the course of the three day event, an exciting range of contributors will come together to showcase their services and provide crucial advice on a wide range of matters concerning safety at sea.

Visitors will get the chance to see some exciting demonstrations; hear all the latest advice from industry professionals and take part in a number of fun and informative workshops – all supporting the idea of safety at sea and all free of charge.

Swanwick’s Sea Safety event will cover a whole raft of safety elements such as; navigation, survival at sea, personal buoyancy, the use of flares and life rafts, important boat checks, judging the elements and collision regulations. While at the event, visitors can also choose to take advantage of special offers on VHF electronic systems, perfect for those planning a trip overseas or even a little closer to the marina – the River Hamble!

Among the event contributors will be the RNLI who will run a ‘lifejacket clinic’ over the course of the weekend. Visitors are invited to bring their lifejackets along to have them fully checked. The RNLI will also offer free SEA Checks conducted by highly trained volunteers.

Marine Matters, an RYA approved training centre, will be conducting informative workshops based on navigation and the “rules of the road”. While, Conidia Bioscience, the company that provides rapid and effective testing kits for detecting microbial contamination “diesel bug” in fuel that could potentially stall your engine whilst at sea will also be at the event performing test demonstrations.

On-site businesses Landau and Force4 will also support the event by providing visitors with advice on all the latest navigation systems and safety wear at sea. What’s more, Landau will be carrying out 32 point Safety Appraisal’s and Force4 will be offering visitors the chance to dispose of any old offshore flares.

Also at the event will be Gas Check Marine who will be on hand to offer advice and provide visitors with a free visual gas check survey. Visitors will also get the chance to take part in a fantastic prize draw to win a gas alarm worth £250.00 courtesy of Gas Check Marine.

Premier has also taken the opportunity to invite Hampshire Constabulary's Project Kraken team to the event with their Police Launch to talk about the close liaison with Swanwick Marina and to provide visitors with advice on how to keep their boats and the coastline safe.

Inspiration for the Sea Safety Weekend came from Marina Manager, Glyn Davis who wanted to host an event that would educate and inform those new to boating as well as boaters who had a desire to become more ambitious with their cruising.

 

There's really no better way to spend the bank holiday weekend than on the River Hamble at Swanwick Marina's Sea Safety event. For further details about the event contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone 01489 884081.

Stuart Field visits ExCeL for a look at what’s on offer at the first big boating event of 2011 . . .

The grand opening
Despite the obstacles placed in their way by the vagaries of public transport (yes, once again, London Transport did indeed close the Jubilee Line on the first weekend of the show), visitors and exhibitors came in decent numbers for a big opening by popular celebrity, Jodie Kidd. In uncommonly fair weather, next to the really excellent new 70-metre watersports pool, the ribbon was cut and the show got underway.

It was an auspicious start that was to prove a theme, as high-profile women seemed to be a feature of this year’s event. The glamorous X-Factor star, Rebecca Ferguson, entertained the Preview Day crowds on the Sunseeker stand, and the remarkable racer Shelly Jory-Leigh (now recovered from her frightening race accident) also made a very welcome appearance. Even the Princess Royal stopped by again, adding her weight to the show’s patronage.

For the full report pick up a copy of Boat Mart magazine