LAST CHANCE!

The Geelong Boat Show is fast approaching, and as the Site Plan shows, the show is virtually full – there may be room for one more mid-size exhibitor and a couple of 3×3s, but we’re nearly at capacity!

The site plan has been developed to create a boutique layout, with good flow. This includes: Transvaal Square, Fairnie Park, Stony Pier Lane, the RGYC waterfront and lawn, marinas at RGYC, and part of Wangim Walk. The show will take place alongside the Offshore Superboats event, RGYC sailing activity, and the regular waterfront vibe. It’s shaping up to be fantastic weekend.

BIAV looks forward to bringing this great new event to life together with our members!

To view the Site Plan and other Exhibitor documents please visit the Exhibitor Hub. And if you’d like to be part of the show please contact katrina@biavic.com.au now.

BOATING CAREERS TO BOLSTER PROFILE IN 2025

Boating Careers is excited to announce its 2025 expo/career day schedule, featuring a series of attendances aimed at building profile and awareness and to attracting fresh talent into the marine sector. These important activations, will bolster Profile of Boating Careers, in what is an increasingly competitive space. These activations will be complemented by a series of Industry Immersion Days, details of these soon to be announced. In 2025, BIAV is expanding Industry Immersion Days to regional areas of Victoria, ensuring more students and job seekers can experience hands-on learning opportunities, and a clear Pathway to the boating industry. Follow Boating Careers here for updates!

2025 Expo & Career Day Schedule

📅 March 15-16 – Geelong Boat Show

📅 May 13 – SE Career Expo

📅 June 3-4 – Tech and Trade Fit Expo

📅 July 25-27 – Melbourne Career Expo

📅 July 29 – Jobskill Gippsland

📅 August 19 – FMP Expo Frankston

📅 October 16-19 – Melbourne Boat Show

Keen to get involved or learn more about how Boating Careers can benefit your business, contact Dan at Boating Careers.

BECOME A RETAILER OF BLADE OUTBOARDS

BIAV has been alerted to an opportunity that dealership or chandlery members may be interested in. Blade Electric Outboards seeks retailer partners in what may be a chance to join the retailers leading the shift to electric boating in 2025!

Online and in-store retailers are welcome, with exclusive incentives available. Click here to learn more.
GOULBURN MURRAY WATER RECREATIONAL USERS SURVEY

Goulburn-Murray Water are calling on the community, including boaters, to have their say to help shape the future of recreational areas managed by the water corporation. An online survey is currently open for recreational users to share what you value most about the recreational areas at the water storages managed by GMW. Feedback provided will help GMW to support facility improvements, better understand changes in recreational needs, enhance visitor experiences, and inform future projects.

Have your say via the online survey The survey closes 30 March 2025.
TIMES RUNNING OUT TO ENTER THE 2025 MARINA OF THE YEAR AWARDS!

Do not delay, and get your nominations in for the prestigious Marina of the Year Awards. These awards celebrate excellence in the marina industry, with past winners setting the benchmark for innovation and sustainability.

Submit your application before it’s too late! Read more here

RIBCRAFT AUSTRALIA & EDENCRAFT FORM MANUFACTURING PARTNERSHIP

Ribcraft Australia announced a new partnership with Edencraft International to manufacture high-performance Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) in Geelong. This collaboration will strengthen Australia’s sovereign maritime capability, delivering world-class vessels for defence, government, and commercial sectors under the ‘Australian Made’ banner.

Key benefits of this partnership include:

✔ Local manufacturing, supporting Australian industries and job creation

✔ Compliance with Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) NSCV standards

✔ Strengthening Australia’s defence, search & rescue (SAR), and law enforcement supply chain

✔ Export potential to the Asia-Pacific region

✔ Innovation in advanced materials, propulsion systems, and uncrewed RHIB technology

Edencraft’s cutting-edge facility in Moolap, Geelong will produce custom-built Ribcraft RHIBs, ensuring the same level of quality, durability, and performance that Ribcraft is globally recognized for. This collaboration combines Ribcraft’s 30+ years of experience in RHIB design with Edencraft’s expertise in Australian marine manufacturing, setting a new benchmark for high-performance maritime vessels.
For more details click here

SANCTUARY COVE BOAT SHOW EXHIBITOR HUB NOW AVAILABLE

BIAV members considering exhibiting at Sanctuary Cove this year can access the exhibitor info, guide and application form here

LIMITED LIFE JACKET RECALL

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a product recall on specific inflatable lifejacket inflators marked “V96000 Halkey Roberts ®” manufactured between 4 June 2021 and 15 April 2024 (this will be laser printed in the format MM/DD/YY).

These inflators were installed in the following lifejacket brands:

Life Jacket Solutions (LJS) – Model numbers T150M, G150M, B150M, WB100, PR150M, SRSS150 Marlin – Model number MK150 Check the grey plastic part of the inflator to find out if you have a recalled product.

BIAV encourages members and boaters to check the ACCC website for more details and updates on this recall.



THE ANNUAL ORCV TOUR OF PORT PHILLIP HEADS

The annual ORCV tour of Port Phillip Heads is on Sunday,16th March 2025. Learn how to and when to transition The Rip safely. Informative, educational and a great day out. The tour is on a chartered Searoad Ferry, the 36m, 300-passenger Peninsula Princess, and is suitable for all boating enthusiasts or those just interested in a tour of the heads for an enjoyable day out on the water.

Conducted by experienced ORCV sailors and navigators, who will provide onboard commentary. The tour concentrates on the “pincers” between the two peninsulas, Point Lonsdale in the West and Point Nepean in the East, known collectively as “The Heads”. The rip is that passage of water between these two points. The educational tour provides knowledge of how to transit safely, both in and out.

Guests can join the 2025 tour from Sorrento Searoad Ferry Pier departing 11.00 am or Queenscliff Searoad Ferry Pier departing noon on Sunday, March 16th.
For further information and bookings here

KICKSTART YOUR TEAM’S MARINA CAREER WITH MARINAS 101

Investing in your team’s development is key to running a strong and efficient marina. The Marinas101 Course is a one-day program designed to give new employees a comprehensive introduction to the marina industry, equipping them with essential skills to succeed.

Course highlights include understanding marina infrastructure & daily operations, best practices in work health & safety, customer service skills for marina professionals, emergency procedures & response protocols, as well as an on-site marina tour for hands-on learning.

📅 Course Date: 15 February 2025

📍 Location: Sydney (venue TBA)

💰 Pricing: MIA Members: $643 (GST), Non-Members: $848 (GST)

Click here to register.

CLUB MARINE CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF BOATING LIFESTYLE EXCELLENCE

BIAV congratulates Club Marine!

Australia’s leading boating lifestyle magazine, Club Marine Magazine, is celebrating 40 years in 2025, marking its legacy as an industry icon. From its humble beginnings as a desktop-published newsletter to becoming Australia’s highest circulating marine publication, Club Marine has shaped the way boating enthusiasts experience the lifestyle, covering power and sail, gourmet food, travel, luxury, and more. “Over the 40 years, we’ve covered every major boating event, breakthrough technology, and industry milestone—all to promote and enhance the boating lifestyle,” says Club Marine Insurance CEO and magazine publisher Tim Wiles.

To celebrate, Club Marine is offering policy-holding members 40 chances to win back the value of their annual insurance premium! The competition runs until 12 January 2026, with 10 winners drawn every three months. Click here for more details.

Copyright © 2025 The Boating Industry Association of Victoria,. All rights reserved.
This email is being sent to you because you have signed up to receive emails on the recreational boating industry.

Our mailing address is:
The Boating Industry Association of Victoria, Jock Sturrock Building, Royal Brighton Yacht Club, 253 Esplanade, Brighton, VIC 3186 Australia

Want to change how you receive these emails?

You can update your preferences or unsubscribe