The 19-year-old killed Saturday in a boating accident in Durbin Creek has been identified as George Rosborough of Jacksonville.
He was driving a personal watercraft with his girlfriend on board, 18-year-old Kimberly Anaheim, when they collided with a jet boat in a narrow bend near in northern St. Johns County, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Anaheim suffered serious injuries and was listed in critical condition.
Kyle J. Broberg, 18, and his two passengers in the jet boat were not injured. They were all traveling together, the commission said.
BALBOA, Panama — Dozens of cruising yachts trying to transit the Panama Canal are being delayed at least four weeks. And because of a backlog of at least 100 ships, the scheduling delays are only expected to get worse.
“It’s never been backlogged this bad in 20 years,” said Pete Stevens of Delfino Maritime, a ship’s agency in Panama that arranges the transit of yachts between the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean.
“They’ve got so many ships and yachts backed up and waiting to transit that I don’t know when they’ll get this sorted out,” Stevens said.
Another agent, Tina McBride, said that if a yacht were ready for transit, had already been admeasured and all the fees had been paid in advance, the first date available at press time would be April 8, a wait of about four weeks. Yacht owners previously would have expected a one- or two-week wait to transit.
Stevens said that the Authority of Panama Canal (ACP) has begun allowing only six yachts to begin transit through the canal per day, meaning three starting from the Pacific side and three from the Caribbean. The ACP is scheduling yachts only for two-day transits, so they must anchor overnight in Gatun Lake and down-lock the following day. He said yachts can begin transit only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays — finishing only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Normally, at the height of cruising season about 40 to 60 yachts per week would be transiting, but the new schedule allows for only about 18 yachts per week. McBride said all the marinas and yacht clubs on both ends of the Panama Canal are packed with boats waiting to transit.
“Don’t book non-refundable flights if you have guests flying down for your transit,” McBride advised yacht owners. Arrive at Balboa or Colon, with plenty of extra time in your itinerary.
“Get admeasured, get the boat ready and pay the fees in advance,” McBride said. “Then, go cruise the nearby islands for a couple weeks — but stay in touch with your agent or the ACP about your transit date.”
On March 1, the ACP increased fees for yachts and ships to transit the 50-mile international waterway.
“All the fees went up: Not just the transit fee, as we first thought,” Stevens said.
Yacht fees went up about 7 percent, and ship fees increased 8 percent. The ACP also announced possible new pilotage fees for yachts starting March 1 if certain “deficiencies” were found, such as “inadequate sanitary facilities” on board (such as if the boat’s head was not available for use by the pilot who came aboard) or if the yacht’s line handlers “show an inability to relay the pilot’s instructions.” For more information about the increased fees for yachts, called “hand lines,” visit www.pancanal.com and review Marine Notice to Shipping N-1-2008.
Local sources say the unprecedented backlog of ships and yachts can be traced to several scheduling problems — not merely to the fee increases.
Before March, about 34 ships had been scheduled to transit the Panama Canal during any 24-hour period, seven days per week. Since March 1, the ACP has been scheduling about 44 ships per day — an increase of about 30 percent. But when the pilots trained to guide those ships began refusing to work all the overtime hours, transit schedules could not be met.
By March 13, more than 100 ships were backlogged and waiting to transit to the other ocean.
Scheduling of yacht transits has received a lower priority than ships and commercial vessel transits since 2000, when Panama took over the canal. Pilots who normally handle ships are also required to manage the transit of yachts 65-feet and longer, while smaller yachts are managed by transit advisors or pilots in training.
The March 1 7-percent increase in fees for yachts included the flat transit fee, which previously had ranged from $600 to $1,600 depending on length overall, the $50 inspection fee and several smaller service fees. Yachts larger than 125 feet are required to hire a locomotive, and that fee increased 50 percent – up to $3,750 per lock. In case of a mechanical emergency in the canal, the cost of hiring a tugboat also went up 50 percent. Previous tug rates began at $2,500 per hour.
United States Yacht Shows, the producers of the Annapolis Sail and Power, and Bay Bridge in-water boat shows, announced today the first annual Yacht Show at National Harbor®. Scheduled to open on Thursday, June 5th and run through Sunday, June 8th, the in-water Yacht Show at National Harbor offers an unparalleled opportunity to tap into an extraordinary demographic with the means to buy or charter yachts. United States Yachts Shows is currently selling/leasing slips, booths and land space for this inaugural one-of-a-kind event.
The Yacht Show at National Harbor will feature the world’s most discriminating yachts, all available for purchase or worldwide charter. Tents and open area displays will include tenders, yacht toys, engines, electronics, propulsion systems, interior design, yacht design and construction, maintenance, provisioning, financing and much more. The finest yacht launches and tenders will also be on display, and a special section will highlight luxury items.
“We are pleased to host the prestigious Yacht Show at National Harbor and welcome companies who target the yachting market to join our already extensive list of exhibitors,” said Ed Hartman, president, United States Yacht Shows, Inc. “The luxury yachting market in the affluent DC metropolitan area is essentially a recession proof market. Our new Yacht Show is perfectly architected to target this market.”
The National Harbor venue will provide convenience that no other show anywhere offers: easy access, lots of secure parking, a festive, park-like atmosphere and extraordinary vistas. Visitor tickets will sell for $16 general admission and $30 for VIP. A private lounge on the end of the dock with complimentary finger food and beverages will be available for VIP guests. Special tours are being arranged for VIPs to tour historic Alexandria and Mount Vernon at a reduced rate.
From the 24th to the 27th of September 2008, the companies of the luxury yachting sector will return to Port Hercules for the 18th Monaco Yacht Show.
Seven months before its next edition, the show is already sold-out thanks to an impressive repeat exhibitor rate as well as new requests for the few stands that were available in early January.
International luxury yachting industry professionals are not mistaken in positioning the MYS as the super yacht show which attracts a global high-end professional and private clientele: 500 exhibitors and 28,000 participants are expected for 2008.
With an expanding market in recent years, participating in the show has become a must for industry leaders and therefore so has the demand for berths, notably for the biggest yachts.
The MYS accurately reflects the evolution of this sector: in 2007, the show presented an exceptional fleet of 97 super yachts up to 90 meters, with a record average length of 42 meters and 40 world première launches. Plus, some fifty yachts anchored in the Monaco bay. The 2008 edition promises to be just as exceptional!
Prestigious sponsors
The Swiss watchmaker Blancpain will renew its commitment to the show for the ninth consecutive year, as will the Compagnie Monégasque de Banque, a prestigious financial institution present in Monaco and internationally and official sponsor since 2005.
Jewellers Van Cleef & Arpels are continuing their association with the MYS for a second year, building upon the success of their participation in 2007.
Top-of-the-line services
The organisers of the MYS provide participants with services conceived to facilitate their visit in a refined and relaxing atmosphere. Among these, the Press Lounge and PressCenter are sponsored by Only Yacht insurance specialists, the BusinessCenter by ING Private Banking and the restaurant by Lenôtre.
Social Investment for the future
The MYS has supported the Monegasque Association against Muscular Dystrophy since 2001 through the organization of exceptional charity projects. On September 20th, 2007, for example, the charity auction Only Watch raised 2.7 million Euros. Each year, the show also donates 50% of its entrance fee earnings.
Since 2005, the Monaco Yacht Show has earned the Carbon Neutral label by paying an eco-tax to finance global environmental protection projects in association with Camper & Nicholsons.
LIVONIA, Mich., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Even with economic challenges, the largest and most prestigious winter boat show in Michigan exceeded exhibitor and show management expectations with a 19.2% increase in show attendance. Attendance for the 2008 show, which ended February 24 at Cobo Center in Detroit, was 85,087 compared to 71,381 in 2007. Show management reports that this increase is a combination of efforts to stimulate interest in marine products, but also to generate strong attendance, which has been a challenged to boat shows in Michigan, the Midwest and throughout the country.
“This was the 50th Anniversary show and we knew we had to work aggressively to encourage attendance and stimulate sales,” stated Van Snider, Boat Show Manager and President of the Michigan Boating Industries Association, which owns and produces the show. “I believe these results are a combination of a strong and diverse advertising and marketing plan, exciting special exhibits, media participation in the show, and a strong pre-show ticket promotion,” he further stated.
The Michigan Boating Industries Association’s board approved issuing promotional tickets to all exhibitors who were then requested to provide these tickets to their client lists. In addition to the free adult admission ticket, the mailer also included a discount coupon. Snider reported that the Board approved the plan even though it would result in less ticket revenue for the association.
“We are extremely pleased with our results and the fact that our exhibitors experienced improved sales as a result of our combined efforts to increase the gate,” state Nicki Polan, MBIA’s Director of Communications.
Snider further stated these results might be a sign that Michigan’s sluggish economy may have bottomed out. “We have had a tough economy and a long, cold winter. The combination of cabin fever, no inclement weather during the show and some optimism about the future by the boating public may have added to the reasons for the improved attendance.”
The 50th Annual Detroit Boat Show ran February 16 – 24 at Cobo Center.
Celebrate the New Year with fun for the whole family at the Gulf Coast’s longest-running and largest boat show at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in halls H, I and J, January 9-13. The 38th Annual New Orleans Boat Show will offer five days of boating fun, education and shopping for the entire family. In addition to hundreds of the latest boats and accessories, visitors to the Show will find a variety of new features and opportunities to win several prizes. “This year’s Show has so many extras for boaters and non-boaters alike,” said Show Manager Barbara Sclafani. “Fishing enthusiasts can learn to cast properly, kids can have fun learning what’s in, under and on the water through several interactive exhibits, and visitors can find a boat for every budget and lifestyle.”Make sure to experience the following special features at the 2008 New Orleans Boat Show: Take Me Fishing Center: Daily fishing seminars and casting demonstrations will be conducted by local, regional and national male and female pros at the “Take Me Fishing Center” where the Travelin’ Fish Tank, a 40-foot aquarium stocked with live fish, will be located. Attendees will also be able to get their fishing license from the LA Department of Wildlife & Fisheries. Tackle Time Area: The Berkley Strike Team will provide demonstrations on “Bait Action,” “Bait Sensory,” knot testing/hand crank stress line simulator and will have the “In The Zone” video game for visitors to play. A boat with U.S. Coast Guard-approved equipment will also be on display. Bill Dazet – Master Carver: Meet renowned wood carver Bill Dazet and see his lifelike carvings of fish and ducks. Attendees can watch the master at work and take a look at his display of antique carvings of fish and ducks. LA National Guard: Watch a simulated bridge erection for boats and the National Guard’s demonstration of military bridge building. The National Guard FLW Outdoors Ranger Boat simulator will be on site for attendee “rides.”
Scouting Patch Program: Girl Scout and Boy Scout Troops will be able to earn a patch by visiting various stations throughout the show floor and learning about conserving, promoting and enhancing coastal resources. Discover Boating Center: Your one-stop resource for boating information and advice. Staffed by experts who can answer all your questions and set you on a course to choosing a boat that will give you and your family years of enjoyment, the Discover Boating Center is here to help you become a boater. IGX-Interactive Game Experience: Attendees can try playing the latest boating- and fishing-themed video games. Gamers can try to catch that monster bass or win at boat racing. Parade of Prizes: Attendees can register to win one of many prizes, including the grand prize – a boat package from Blue Wave Boats, LOADMASTER Trailers, Suzuki Motor ($7,384.00 motor value) and Bent Marine. Check the Web site for additional prizes at www.neworleansboatshow.com. Show Details: When: Wednesday through Sunday, January 9-13 Wednesday through Friday: 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Where: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Halls H, I and J 900 Convention Center Blvd New Orleans, LA 70130 Admission: $9.00 for adults $15.00 for 2-day adult pass $5.00 for youth (13-15 years) Children 12 and under are FREE Discount coupons good for $2.00 off adult weeknight’s admission available at area boat dealers and in all New Orleans Boat Show print ads. Tickets can also be purchased in advance online at www.neworleansboatshow.com. Visitors looking for more information about the 2008 New Orleans Boat Show should visit www.neworleansboatshow.com or call 504-780-1818 for complete details. About The New Orleans Boat ShowThe 2008 New Orleans Boat Show is produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the world’s largest producer of boat shows. NMMA is the leading association representing the $39.5 billion per year recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce over 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers in the U.S. For more information about the NMMA, visit www.NMMA.org.
The International Marina & Boatyard Conference opened this weekend in Atlanta to enthusiastic participants and exhibitors, despite snow delays and canceled flights in Atlanta’s hub airport.
The first morning of Sunday’s sessions included a keynote presentation called “The Winner’s Circle” by Premier Performance’s Gary Lalonde and a global look at marina trends through the eyes of Carol Fulford from Marina World magazine. Other breakout sessions included topics such as Best Profit Ideas from students involved in the International Marina Institute’s Advance Marina Management course; How to Prepare for a Major Storm; The Role of Independent Subcontractors; and Lake-Level Concerns, given the crisis along Lake Lanier in Georgia.
Seminars about the future of the marina village, EPA inspections and water-access issues are on the agenda for today. IMBC concludes with a tour of marinas along LakeLanier after an all-industry awards breakfast and closing keynote by Bill Yeargin from Correct Craft on Tuesday.
The Association of Marina Industries and the American Boat Builders & Repairers Association are co-producers of IMBC.
For 20 editions, the Belgian Boat Show has been the kick-starter of the watersports, water recreation and water tourism sectors in Belgium. The fair is more than just a meeting point for the professional industry, for which it provides a stimulus of unsurpassed magnitude. As an event, the Belgian Boat Show marks the most explicit start of the watersports season each year, and it is a versatile promoter of all activities that fall under this name.
All points of the compass, all types of boats, and all facets
This will all hold true again for the 20th edition. With the ambition of accommodating the rising trend in the market in no fewer than seven halls at Flanders Expo and the promise that not only the largest deluxe motor yachts, with lengths of more than 20 metres, but also the smallest inflatables with a length of 2 metres will be on display, the Belgian Boat Show continues to set the tone in the sector.
There is also lots of room for an extremely wide spectrum of accessories, clothing, motors, and an impressive range of services. This starts with various government organisations, continues with sailing and boating schools, and ends with agents, insurance companies and financial institutions. Naturally, our sponsor Fortis Yachtservices occupies a prominent place in this picture. By attracting a very complete range of commercial and non-profit exhibitors, the Belgian Boat Show meets not only the needs of a loyal public that is already familiar with watersports and amounts to half of our visitors, but also the other half consisting of interested persons who want to venture their first steps into the world of watersports.
The Belgian Boat Show is clearly connected to the rising trend in the watersports market
There are many indications that the watersports industry is experiencing a boom. The demand for yacht berths remains high, so much so that dealers find that yacht sales are dependent on the guarantee of a berth in a marina somewhere.
A rising trend can be seen in the activities of watersports clubs and the size of their memberships. The demand for training courses is also increasing, although not always with the expectation of taking an exam. Beside the luxury of exceptionally glamorous super-yachts, the coming Belgian Boat Show also devotes considerable attention to smaller boats, including inflatables, canoes and kayaks, open recreational sailboats, and even second-hand yachts sold via professional agents.
Another important signal comes from the financial world: the demand for loans and similar arrangements, such as leasing, has increased markedly.
A few special topics for 2008 at a glance:
The most representative selection of motor yachts, including fast sports boats, boats specifically designed for water skiing and wake boarding, seagoing sports fishing boats, small boats for anglers on calm water, cabin cruisers for touring on inland waterways, and luxury yachts with lengths of 50, 60, and 70 feet. Never before have such large motor yachts been on display. The stars of the show in 2008 are inflatable boats and rigid inflatable boats (RIBs).
The most representative selection of cabin sailboats, ranging from sporty cruiser/racers to touring boats designed strictly for comfort.
The latest gadgets for digital communication and digital navigation. On-board Internet and television, even in the middle of the ocean.
A full spectrum of inboard and outboard motors. This ranges from simple, light motors for small dinghies to super-high-performance motors for water skiing, which is enormously popular in this country.
The most advanced recreational accessories, including radio and satellite beacons, comfortable automatic lifesaving vests, rescue rafts, flares, man-overboard location systems, and so on.
The largest and most representative range of specialised sailing and boating holidays (motor and sailboat rentals everywhere in the world and here along our coast, and chartering with a skipper).
A highly representative selection of boating and navigation schools for novice motorboat and sailboat skippers.
An expanded Waterfun programme in cooperation with BLOSO and the watersports organisations for sailing, canoeing & kayaking, deep-sea diving, rescue swimming, beach sailing, water skiing & wakeboarding, etc. Beginners’ instruction on an indoor water surface.
Waterfun for adults: introductory activities tailored to a more mature age.
Special theme workshops (safety, digital communication, digital marine navigation, meteorology for watersports participants, etc.) and special theme days, such as the successful Ladies’ Day on Valentine’s Day (14 February).
One-Design Island: presentation of the many one-design sailboat classes in anticipation of the Olympic Games; sporty, competitive, recreational and training programmes amidst a wealth of new boat designs.
Starters Route: information specifically aimed at beginners in the various types of watersports.
Optimistic Economy won’t sink enthusiasm for 24th annual event
By Gregg Holshouser For The Sun News
On the eve of the 24th annual Grand Strand Boat Show, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke was testifying before the House Budget Committee in Washington on the outlook of the United States economy. Meanwhile, with fears of a recession reverberating through the country, boat vendors were undauntedly setting up their spiffy displays of boats of all types and sizes at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, preparing for the show that runs today through Sunday. David Perry, owner/operator of Marine Service Center in Murrells Inlet, shrugged off media reports of a sluggish econ omy after helping his crew roll a Triton center console into place. “The economy and gas prices and all that stuff have got every body worried to death, but you’ve still got to have fun, you still got to go fishing,” said Perry.
Boat and motor manufacturers have taken the fuel price and economy issues into consideration when designing their products and, as a result, boating is as simple as it ever has been. “The trends have been to more economical [and] the engines are very user-friendly, they’re just a turn-key start, kind of like your automobile,” said Perry said.
“The days of having to worry whether you can get your motor started or whether [you need] to choke it or what ever are gone, so it makes it very easy to operate your boat now. ” A lot of people are getting into boating just because of that; it’s so easy to do. The price of gas has gone up but the engines are getting much better fuel mileage than they used to get, so it kind of all evens out.” The seasoned boating enthusi ast and novice alike can check out all the new styles for 2008 from john boats to center consoles to yachts at the Convention Center or The Marina at Grande Dunes, which is hosting an in-water display.
Stuart Ricks, owner/operator of Coastal Marine in Myrtle Beach, notes the variety of options available to the boater in the Myrtle Beach area, from the open Atlantic Ocean, local estuaries such as Winyah Bay or Little River Inlet and rivers such as the Waccamaw and Great Pee Dee. The variety is reflected in the models Ricks carries and are on display in the show. “I carry saltwater boats, freshwater boats, ski boats, pontoons, cruisers ; I try to carry a little bit of everything,” Ricks said. Some boat vendors offer incentives to buy at the show, while others take a slower approach. “Everything’s got factory incentives to buy right now. If you wait, you may not get these incentives. Even if you’re not planning to use the boat until March or April or May, you can purchase it now and wait to pick it up later, and get the factory incentives we’re offering right now.”
Brent Ballard of Tailwalker Marine in Georgetown looks forward to associating with his customers, old and new, at the show. “Boat shows give you an opportunity to represent your company, more so than just coming to a sales show,” Ballard said. “I would sum up the Miami boat show as a buyer’s show. [Here] most of the people who buy these boats are not spontaneous. They’ve thought about it for a long time, they’ve gotten their wife’s permission; it’s a long, drawn-out [process].”
The Myrtle Beach area and its growing population are a bit immune to the economic problems other parts of the country are experiencing and, as Perry says, “We’ve got a lot of water here, too, you know. You’ve got a lot of retired people moving down here, they’ve got a lot of money and they’re paying cash for boats instead of financing,” Ricks said. “I think we’re in a good area. I think we’re doing better than Florida is right now.”
Florida’s been the No. 1 state for years and years. People have got to have fun; there’s places you can go on the water and enjoy your boating in a crowd and there’s places you can go with no one around you.” The boat show was founded in 1984 by a group of five local dealerships whichthat included Wacca maw Marine, Coastal Marine, Marine Service Center Murrells Inlet, Nautica Marine and Tailwalker Marine. Almost a quarter-century later it has grown with the Myrtle Beach area. “[The boat show is] an oppor tunity to come view all the [boat ing products] in our area and easily be able to distinguish the differences between them because they’re all sitting there,” Ballard said. “You can absorb all the product from the different dealerships here and see what sets [them] apart.” The show also has something to offer those who are not in the boat-buying market, with fish ing seminars each day on a variety of subjects. Most of the seminars will touch on popular saltwater species such as red drum, spotted seatrout, floun der, king mackerel and cobia and will be conducted by knowledgeable local guides.
Those heading to the 78th annual Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show to see Twiggy the Water Skiing Squirrel are out of luck.
Turns out the furry celebrity is on a national tour staging daredevil stunts (which simultaneously plug water safety) and slapping paws with throngs of human fans. But even without this aquatic A-lister, the event, through Sunday at McCormick Place, has proved its longevity and organizers continue combing the deck for new attractions.
The 2008 main event is the “Bling My Boat” display, where an aging vessel scores a complete red-carpet overhaul. Prior to this week’s unveiling, the National Marine Manufacturers Association, sponsor of the event, sent out e-mails and Internet postings for boat owners to submit photos and explanations why their vessel deserves a makeover, which was picked by a panel of judges in textbook reality-TV style.
“We used the tag line, ‘Is your boat sea worthy but not see worthy?’ and wound up with 75 entries,” says show manager Keith Ogulnick. “We had everything ranging from guys tired of their buddies making fun of their boat being slow to truly moving stories that pulled at the heartstrings.”
The winning entry fell in that latter category. Kevin McGovern, a Kankakee police officer, suggested his family’s 1995 Grumman 22SD. Although an avid boater, McGovern sent a nomination centered around his equally enthusiastic wife, Christine, a teacher for children with learning and behavioral disabilities and an advocate for autism research and breast cancer awareness. The letter talked about her fervor for boating, taking her autistic nephew for boat rides, and a moving story of personal survival.
“During work a few years ago, Christine was restraining a student and ruptured a disc in her back,” her husband said. “She missed some time at school and had chronic pain ever since, but also missed a lot of last summer’s boating season because of another surgery where she actually coded on the table. We thought we lost her, but she worked through that. We are very fortunate for her recovery.”
Without giving too much away, Ogulnick promises the McGoverns (and the public) a chance to chill in the completely reupholstered, repainted and redecorated boat, complete with all the updated gadgetry, electronics and the latest in marine technology.
Also new this year:
*The Maxum Get in the Game Boat Giveaway, offering attendees a crack at the NFL-themed Maxum 2200 SR3 with Chicago Bears wide receiver (and ardent boater) Devin Hester signing autographs at that booth at 5 p.m. Thursday.
*The Travelin’ Fish Tank aquarium, an educational center that shows how fish react to different bait and casting techniques.
*The National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, boasting memorabilia as diverse as antique fishing lures, rods and reels to a world record muskie mount (weighing 70 pounds and stretching 64 inches).
Making a comeback:
*ATV Demo Course, allowing test drives of various all terrain vehicles.
*The River, a 170-foot indoor pool offering canoe rides.
*Wakeboard & Waterski Clinic, featuring professional demos of each stunt-oriented sport on trampolines.
*For the kids, the Huck Finn Trout Pond, for indoor fishing of their own, or the Captain Kids’ Discovery Point, providing a general outdoor recreation overview. Adults exploring the event for the first time can learn the basics at the Discover Boating Center and the Take Me Fishing Center (both free of product peddling).
