22 April 2018
This week Superyacht Australia hosted MYBA Executive Officer, Coralyn Tracey, who is visiting from the South of France. Superyacht Australia want to showcase the facilities and capabilities of the Australian Superyacht Industry to ensure these global associations understand what Australia has to offer.
MYBA, the Worldwide Yachting Association, is an internationally renowned professional organisation. The superyacht industry has developed and evolved immeasurably over the past two decades with MYBA adopting an increasingly influential and significant role in this industry, working closely with government organisations, coastguards, the International Maritime Organisation, licensed marine underwriters, insurance companies and lawyers. Both the MYBA Charter Agreement and the MYBA Memorandum of Agreement have been developed over the years to provide an industry standard throughout the world.
Membership is available to eligible global companies and individuals with a proven track record of professional excellence in the yachting industry. There are three Superyacht Australia members who have obtained this highly regarded membership and these companies alongside Superyacht Australia will be helping showcase the Australian domestic charter market, a growing segment of the industry here in Australia.
Maryanne Edwards, spokesperson for Superyacht Australia, stated, “Visits to the Whitsundays including Abell Point Marina and a visit to Sydney with a cruise onboard Infinity Pacific, one of Sydney’s latest charter yachts and a look at Sydney’s marina facilities, have already taken place. Coralyn has also spent a week on the Gold Coast as the guest of the Gold Coast City Council during the Commonwealth Games, with MYBA looking to evaluate this region for a MYBA event.
Currently a key issue facing the superyacht industry in Australia is the fact that, unlike our South Pacific neighbours, international superyachts are not allowed to charter here. Key barriers to growth of the industry are revenue and jobs for Australians. Superyacht Australia is currently lobbying government to get this changed and open up the Australian industry, increasing the tourism revenue and significant jobs for regional Australia in particular”.
Cora commented “I love it here! I have told everyone I might not go back home.
“The Gold Coast is an amazing city with the key facilities and infrastructure we look for when analysing locations for a MYBA event.
The government here should listen to your industry as Australia is losing out on millions of dollars as superyachts choose to go to other Pacific countries or stay in traditional cruising grounds where chartering is simpler. We are impressed by the work Superyacht Australia is doing to change this. It can be a frustrating task but also a very rewarding one. When governments change legislation, they rapidly see the significant contribution superyachts cruising in Australian waters make to the economy, and more importantly, the number of jobs they create and constantly maintain. All previous studies have demonstrated this, not least of which the recent Superyacht Industry economic impact study”
The ASMEX conference coming up on 21-23 May at the Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove will see key industry and government stakeholders debate these issues further and will spend time discussing how Australia can create a welcoming environment for visiting international superyachts. Government is keen to work closer with Superyacht Australia and the industry to facilitate a positive environment for these visiting superyachts.
By working with a MYBA Company, yacht owners and charterers can benefit from the safeguards that have been established and be assured they are represented by experienced professionals.
The Australia charter market is growing significantly and 20 of the key vessels available for charter were last weekend showcased at the Australian Superyacht Rendezvous at the Gold Coast City Marina. Coralyn was on the Gold Coast to address an industry forum at the event and view the excellent line up of superyachts that were on display.
The MYBA members of Superyacht Australia who hosted and sponsored the visit to the Whitsundays and the Sydney visit are Bray Management, Ocean Alliance, Australian Superyachts and Fraser Yachts.