Archive for » January 10th, 2012«

10 Jan 2012

Yacht Builder to the Stars Ferretti Bought by China Bulldozer Manufacturer


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Shandong Heavy Buys Yachtmaker Ferretti

Shandong Heavy Buys Yachtmaker Ferretti

Alessia Pierdomenico/Bloomberg

Employees stand underneath a Custom Line ‘Navetta 33 Crescendo’ yacht inside a warehouse at Ferretti SpA’s CRN shipyard in Ancona, Italy.

Employees stand underneath a Custom Line ‘Navetta 33 Crescendo’ yacht inside a warehouse at Ferretti SpA’s CRN shipyard in Ancona, Italy. Photographer: Alessia Pierdomenico/Bloomberg


Enlarge image
Shandong Heavy Buys Yachtmaker Ferretti

Shandong Heavy Buys Yachtmaker Ferretti

Alessia Pierdomenico/Bloomberg

Employees pass a Custom Line ‘CL 124′ yacht, left, and a Custom Line ‘Navetta 33 Crescendo’ yacht, right, inside a warehouse at Ferretti SpA’s CRN shipyard in Ancona, Italy.

Employees pass a Custom Line ‘CL 124′ yacht, left, and a Custom Line ‘Navetta 33 Crescendo’ yacht, right, inside a warehouse at Ferretti SpA’s CRN shipyard in Ancona, Italy. Photographer: Alessia Pierdomenico/Bloomberg


Enlarge image
Shandong Heavy Buys Yachtmaker Ferretti

Shandong Heavy Buys Yachtmaker Ferretti

Alessia Pierdomenico/Bloomberg

Employees shape metal sheets for the construction of a Ferretti SpA ‘CRN 131′ mega-yacht at the company’s CRN shipyard in Ancona, Italy.

Employees shape metal sheets for the construction of a Ferretti SpA ‘CRN 131′ mega-yacht at the company’s CRN shipyard in Ancona, Italy. Photographer: Alessia Pierdomenico/Bloomberg


Enlarge image
Shandong Heavy Buys Yachtmaker Ferretti

Shandong Heavy Buys Yachtmaker Ferretti

Alessia Pierdomenico/Bloomberg

Employees weld metal sheets during the construction of a Ferretti SpA ‘CRN 131′ mega-yacht at the company’s CRN shipyard in Ancona, Italy.

Employees weld metal sheets during the construction of a Ferretti SpA ‘CRN 131′ mega-yacht at the company’s CRN shipyard in Ancona, Italy. Photographer: Alessia Pierdomenico/Bloomberg

Ferretti Group (FER) was sold to the
state-owned parent of China’s biggest bulldozer-maker, putting
the Communist nation in control of the world’s largest luxury-
yacht builder.

Creditors will sell 75 percent of Ferretti (FER) for 178 million
euros ($228 million) to Shandong Heavy Industry Group-Weichai
Group, according to a statement handed to reporters today in
Jinan, China. Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc and Strategic
Value Partners LLC will also own 12.5 percent stakes in the
Forli, Italy-based boatmaker.

State-controlled Shandong Heavy plans to add superyachts to
its construction and farming products after surging economic
growth boosted China’s number of millionaire households 31
percent in 2010. The deal may help Ferretti, whose Riva unit
made boats for Brigitte Bardot and Sean Connery, to expand in
the world’s most-populous nation after a slump in sales after
the 2008 financial crisis left it near bankruptcy.

“China (CNGDPYOY)’s super-rich are looking at yachts and jets because
the country has so much money now,” said Richard Tai, luxury-
goods analyst at Shanghai-based research firm China Research
Intelligence. “It just shows China’s phenomenal economic
development over the past 30 years.”

Ferretti, which also makes Ferretti, Pershing and Betram
brand yachts, will retain its existing management as well as its
headquarters and production facilities in Italy, according to a
statement. The company’s yachts can cost more than $100 million.

Olympic Regatta

The deal, which requires approval from Italian regulators,
will take three to six months to complete, Tan Xuguang, Shandong
Heavy’s chairman, told reporters today. Shandong province, which
controls the company, contains the city of Qingdao, a major
naval base and host of the 2008 Olympic sailing regatta.

Ferretti will get 198 million euros of debt financing from
Shandong Heavy, whose units include bulldozer-maker Shantui
Construction Machinery Co. (000680) and Hong Kong-listed engine-maker
Weichai Power Co. (2338) The deal also includes 100 million euros of
new equity and a reduction in Ferretti’s debt to about 100
million euros.

The yachtmaker may be listed in Hong Kong within five years
of the deal, said Tan. Ferretti sold about 17 vessels in China
last year, he said. The country had about 1.11 million
millionaire households in 2010, according to Boston Consulting
Group.

“Ferretti is a high-end brand and Chinese consumers have
not yet evolved to such high-end consumption,” Tan said. “Over
the next five to ten years there will be great potential for
yachts in china.”

China Yacht Demand

While there were as many as 400 dollar billionaires in
China, the country only had about 100 Chinese-owned yachts
longer than 60 feet as of May, according to Rupert Hoogewerf,
who compiles the Hurun Report of wealthy Chinese. There were
more than 7,000 yachts that size in the U.S. in 2006.

“If the Chinese can use the labor force in an intelligent
way, the opportunity is spectacular,” said Marco Elser, a
partner at AdviCorp Plc., a London-based investment banking
firm. Still, it may take until 2020 to turn Ferretti around
because of Italian labor laws, he said.

Shandong Heavy received financial advice on the deal from
Citigroup Inc. (C), Houlihan Lokey and ICBC International Holdings
Ltd., according to the statement. King Wood, Bonelli Erede
Pappalardo and Akerman Senterfitt (1267L) acted as legal advisers.

Edinburgh-based RBS and Strategic Value were assisted by
Rothschild and Ernst Young LLP and by the law firms Ashurst
and Clifford Chance.

Sunseeker, Brunswick

The potential demand for yachts in China has lured overseas
boat-builders such as Azimut Yachts, Sunseeker International
Ltd. and Brunswick Corp. (BC) Domestic companies, including Xiamen
Hangsheng Yacht Building Co., have also begun building
superyachts

Other luxury-goods makers are targeting China as growth of
less than 2 percent in Europe and the U.S. stifles demand in
their traditional markets. Supercar-maker Automobili Lamborghini
SpA expected to sell more vehicles in China than in the U.S. for
the first time last year. Coach Inc., the biggest maker of
luxury handbags in the U.S., has predicted that China will
surpass Japan as its biggest overseas market within a few years.

Ferretti ceded control to lenders in 2009 when it missed a
loan payment on debt used to finance its leveraged buyout. It
went from planning an initial public offering in 2008 to
reorganizing its debt in a matter of months as it customer base
collapsed in the credit crisis.

In the 2009 debt-restructuring, a group of 100 creditors
led by RBS agreed to convert some of their 1.2 billion euros of
debt to equity to avert a Ferretti bankruptcy. Candover
Investments Plc, which bought majority control of the yachtmaker
in a 2007 leveraged buyout that valued Ferretti at about 1.5
billion euros, ceded its stake in the deal.

To contact the reporters on this story:
Tian Ying in Beijing at
ytian@bloomberg.net;
Jasmine Wang in Hong Kong at
jwang513@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story:
Neil Denslow at
ndenslow@bloomberg.net

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10 Jan 2012

State Fish and Wildlife saltwater boat ramp and freshwater fish checks

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Salmon and saltwater

Don Armeni ramp in West Seattle — Jan. 6: One boat with two anglers caught two chinook; Jan. 8: Three boats with nine anglers caught no fish.

Shilshole Bay ramp — Jan. 6: Four boats with six anglers caught one chinook; Jan. 8: Four boats with nine anglers caught one chinook.

Everett ramp — Jan. 6: Three boats with five anglers caught two chinook; Jan. 7: Eight boats with 19 anglers caught one chinook; Jan. 8: Nine boats with 19 anglers caught one chinook.

Camano Island State Park ramp — Jan. 6: Six boats with 13 anglers caught two chinook.

Maple Grove ramp, Camano Island — Jan. 6: One boat with two anglers caught no fish.

Glenn Street ramp, Bellingham — Jan. 6: Three boats with eight anglers caught two chinook.

Cornet Bay ramp, North Whidbey Island — Jan. 6: Two boats with five anglers caught no fish.

Friday Harbor Marina, San Juan Island — Jan. 6: Four boats with six anglers caught no fish.

Les Davis Pier, Tacoma — Jan. 3: One angler caught no fish.

Narrows Park Pier — Jan. 3: Five anglers caught no fish; Jan. 4: One angler caught no fish; Jan. 7: Six anglers caught no fish; Jan. 8: 11 anglers caught no fish.

Solo Point ramp, South Tacoma — Jan. 8: One boat with two anglers caught no fish.

Luhr Beach ramp — Jan. 8: Two boats with two anglers caught no fish.

Rivers and lakes

Bogachiel/Quillayute River — Jan. 6-8: 22 bank anglers and 20 boat anglers caught one steelhead and released one steelhead for total of 237.5 hours fished.

Calawah River — Jan. 6-8: Five bank anglers and five boat anglers caught two steelhead, and released one steelhead and one coho (also one wild steelhead illegally kept) for total of 45.0 hours fished.

Sol Duc River — Jan. 6-8: 24 bank anglers and 52 boat anglers caught 19 steelhead and released 23 steelhead for a total of 393.0 hours fished.

Lower Hoh River from Oxbow Campground to Barlow’s — Jan. 6-8: 33 bank anglers and three boat anglers caught one steelhead, and released one steelhead and five bull trout for a total of 130.5 hours fished.

Lower Hoh River from Barlow’s to Olympic National Park Boundary — Jan. 6-8: Nine bank anglers and five boat anglers released one steelhead, three bull trout and four whitefish for a total of 48.0 hours fished.

Cowlitz River — Last week: 20 boat anglers caught nine steelhead, and 14 bank anglers caught two steelhead, and released two steelhead and one coho.

Columbia River below Bonneville Dam — Last week: One bank angler caught no steelhead or salmon; 12 bank anglers caught no sturgeon.

Columbia River in Bonneville Pool — Last week: 66 bank anglers caught three sturgeon; 25 boats with 71 anglers caught 18 sturgeon and released 207.

Columbia River in The Dalles Pool — Last week: 26 bank anglers caught two sturgeon and released seven; 11 boats with 22 anglers caught two sturgeon and released 35; eight bank anglers caught one steelhead and released one; one boat with three anglers caught two steelhead and released two.
Columbia River in John Day Pool — Last week: 36 bank anglers caught no sturgeon; 33 boats with 82 anglers caught six sturgeon and released.

(Checks provided by state Fish and Wildlife are taken randomly and do not reflect all fish caught during that period. Photo courtesy of Darrell and Dad’s Guide Service in Manson from Rufus Woods.)


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10 Jan 2012

River no longer runs dry, but around Wodonga it’s not all smooth sailing

Joe Muntz takes full advantage of the year's high water flows, jumping into the river at Albury-Wodonga.

Joe Muntz takes full advantage of the year’s high water flows, jumping into the river at Albury-Wodonga. Photo: Justin McManus

AT THE bottom of the Hume Dam’s downstream side, a thick column of brown water arcs into the air before joining the torrent that swirls past the industrial city of Albury-Wodonga to the west.

Now the water is coursing back down this part of the Murray River after a decade of drought, boats and jet skis are back, water supplies for farms and industry are assured, vignerons around Rutherglen are looking forward to a great vintage and the Murray cod, once thought endangered, has returned and is being caught in large numbers.

So everything is sweet? Well, not quite everything.

This big: Brian Hinson shows off his catch with Brian King at Barmah Lakes near Echuca.

This big: Brian Hinson shows off his catch with Brian King at Barmah Lakes near Echuca. Photo: Justin McManus

From the dam wall the water moves rapidly. By the time it passes the swimmers and sunbathers at Albury’s Noreuil Park it is still travelling at seven kilometres an hour, too fast for any but the most vigorous members of the local canoe club to do much other than paddle downstream.

Now the river has risen, a couple of the park’s beaches have had to be resurrected by the local council after rising water buried them. And what used to be another feature of the park has felt the injustice of the varying water levels.

The paddle steamer Cumberoona used to be moored there. It was Albury’s flagship project for the 1988 bicentennial, and was based on another Cumberoona paddle steamer that plied the river here in the 19th century.

In the past decade this Cumberoona has hit hard times – indeed for the past five years it has sat on mud. This might be a metaphor for the joint cities as well. Some of their industries have been doing it tough for reasons not related to the water, rather the equally fickle global economy.

The river’s return might be little comfort to the workers with imperilled jobs, but it also brought bad news for the marooned Cumberoona.

The steamer’s hull was found to have suffered serious corrosion from sitting in the mud. It now fails to meet state government standards and much of it will have to be replaced.

After bitter debate, the Albury Council has agreed to spend $200,000 fixing it.

Leader in the fight to save it has been Cr Philomena Sawyer and her husband, Jeff, who heads the Friends of Cumberoona group. They said restoration work should start next month, but it won’t be finished this summer with its high water flows. The boat is stuck on dry land near an old quarry across the border in Wodonga.

Given the unpredictability of the river, no one can guarantee that when the steamer is running, there will be enough water left for it to float in.

Further down the river beyond the Mulwala weir, there is now plenty of water and plenty of boats. Peter Carroll, a builder from Diamond Creek, has camped on the bank as he does most years with his family, friends and his 25-year-old V8-powered ski boat.

Mr Carroll is keen to teach his two sons to water-ski properly, a more difficult skill that, in this stretch of river, seems to be on the decline.

”This year it is really good, but for years with all the Victorian lakes like Eildon and Eppalock low, this place was really crowded. Even last year it was crowded, and the levels were so low I hit a snag and did $3500 damage to the boat.”

Further back upstream, All Saints winery at Wahgunyah, built about 1870 in the style of a Scottish castle, sits just back from the river. Vineyard co-ordinator Nick Brown says he is expecting an excellent season.

”In the dry a lot of our vines became really stressed and a few … died. This year everything is looking good, unless we get too much rain between now and harvest.”


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10 Jan 2012

Bavaria Yachts USA Announces Expansion Plans for 2012

Bavaria Yachts announces plans to open factory-direct locations in Newport, RI, The Great Lakes (Chicago), and The San Francisco Bay Area by year-end.

(PRWEB) January 10, 2012

Bavaria Yachts announces plans to open factory-direct locations in Newport, RI, The Great Lakes (Chicago), and The San Francisco Bay Area by year-end. In 2011, Bavaria Yachts USA launched a new groundbreaking direct business model, starting with its flagship location in the heart of Annapolis, Maryland.  Based on the tremendous demand and market feedback coming from the premier of the all-new Cruiser line at the 2011US Boat Show in Annapolis, Bavaria is expanding the current sales/ service/ charter footprint to directly serve the Northeast, Great Lakes, and Northern California markets.

Just like the Annapolis flagship location, the Newport, Chicago, and Bay Area locations will offer direct sales of Bavaria Yachts built to each owner’s specifications, the ability to charter a new Bavaria to see first-hand what all the buzz is about, limited opportunities for owners to put their boat into charter to defray the majority of out-of-pocket expenses, as well as, dedicated world-class service focusing solely on Bavaria owners.   Each new location will include a dedicated Horizon Yacht Charters base, so charter owners and charterers can expect the same first-class service that loyal clients have enjoyed for years at Horizon’s bases in the BVI, St. Marteen, Antigua, Grenada, and its newest location, Annapolis, which opened spring 2011.

Following the opening of the new office locations, expect to see models from the Cruiser and Vision lines on hand at the Newport Boat Show (Sept 2012), US Boat Show in Annapolis (Oct 2012), Strictly Sail Chicago Show (Jan 2013), and Strictly Sail Pacific Show (April 2013).

Bavaria Yachts is currently taking orders from everywhere in the US, and offers travel reimbursements or try-before-you-buy chartering for those who want to come to Annapolis to experience the boats first-hand. Charter ownership opportunities are available to fill out the fleets in the the three locations coming soon, as well as a few opportunities remaining in the Annapolis fleet.

About Bavaria Yachts

The Bavaria Yachtbau shipyard is the single largest yacht production facility in Europe, constructing thousands of performance cruising sailboats each year built by skilled craftsmen using computer-aided, state-of-the art manufacturing processes, and stringent, consistent quality control processes. Bavaria combines precision German engineering with collaborative design expertise from Farr Yacht Design and styling expertise from BMW DesignworksUSA and Design Unlimited UK. Teaming up with market leaders in yacht, ergonomic and interior design reflects Bavaria Yachts’ constant commitment to delivering extremely well built, safe, premium quality yachts with powerful lines, striking designs, and innovative features.

Introducing a new business model for the industry, Bavaria Yachts USA provides owners with “factory direct” pricing, boats built to personalized specifications, and ultra-efficient purchase-to-delivery lead times of typically around three months. Bavaria Yachts USA also offers an integrated, full-range customer experience from chartering new Bavarias, to ASA learn-to-sail programs as well as a range of comprehensive Bavaria-dedicated yacht management services.

###

For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/1/prweb9091413.htm


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10 Jan 2012

Explosion on fishing vessel shakes neighbors in Port Townsend; owner avoids injuiry

PORT TOWNSEND — An explosion aboard a 56-foot commercial fishing vessel docked in Boat Haven on Monday morning shook local windows and rattled walls but caused no injuries or damages to the adjacent boats— which included the Coast Guard cutter Osprey.

“I was in the front of the boat and started up my generator, and the next thing I knew I had a big explosion” at the rear of the boat, said Bill Hammer, the owner of the Silver Lady.

“I was afraid my son was on the boat, but it turned out he was just on his way.”

The cause of the big boom heard over much of Port Townsend a little after 8 a.m. was under investigation by the Coast Guard on Monday.

East Jefferson Fire-Rescue investigators believe the explosion was caused by gas buildup but were unable to determine the source of the gas.

Hammer had told East Jefferson Fire-Rescue spokesman Bill Beezley that he was topping off his gel batteries with a generator, and when he turned the electrical switch on, he heard the blast.

Hammer grabbed a fire extinguisher and headed below the deck, but when he saw no flames, he got off the boat.

Coast Guard personnel had already called 9-1-1, and emergency services were notified at 8:16 a.m., Beezley said.

The vessel was docked approximately 45 feet from the 87-foot Osprey, with an open slip between the two vessels.

Forceful explosion

Coast Guard Master Chief Chad Curth told Beezley that he was sitting in his office facing both ships when the explosion occurred.

“I looked up just in time to see the windows of my office bow in from the force of the explosion,” he said.

Curth, who is the Coast Guard officer in charge of the Port Townsend station, divided the crew from the Osprey into two groups.

One group pulled a water pump from the Osprey and took it over to Silver Lady in case there was a fire.

The other group was directed to walk C-dock and evacuate people from other vessels.

Although there were no signs of a hull breach of Silver Lady, local Coast Guard personnel deployed a water boom around the boat as a precaution.

Firefighters found smoke billowing from the stern of the Silver Lady but no flames.

The smoke soon cleared.

Investigation

An incident investigator arrived from Coast Guard Sector Seattle at about 11:30 a.m. to determine the cause of the explosion.

The team came with a pollution team. There was no spill, Beezley said.

Firefighters who had left the scene were called back to disconnect the battery from its power source, which was necessary before the Coast Guard could board the boat.

Hammer, who has lived in Port Townsend for 25 years “and fished all my life,” said the boat was built in 1968 and has made several trips to Alaska.

“I’m glad that this didn’t happen when we were out fishing,” he said.

“If I had been on the deck during the explosion, I wouldn’t be here now, I’d be in the hospital.”

Hammer said that he is not due to take another excursion for three months.

Repairs needed

He said the boat will need extensive repairs.

The force of the below-decks explosion blew a solid aluminum hatch above the main deck into shrapnel, which sprayed the boat, Beezley said.

Other machinery on board suffered damage as well, with debris littered throughout the main deck area.

Hammer told Beezley he had acetylene tanks and oxygen tanks below decks, near where the batteries were stored.

“All the equipment in the back of the boat will probably need to be replaced,” he said.

________

Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.


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10 Jan 2012

New boat store under construction

New boat store under construction

Published 9:18am Monday, January 9, 2012

 

There may be patches of snow on the ground now, but business owner Chris Malone is already thinking of summer, sunny skies and a lazy day on a lake or river.

Work is nearing completion on the new Malone Marine and Repair LLC at 1201 S. Third St. Malone said he will offer boat sales — everything from $500 fishing boats to $50,000 ski boats and everything in between. He will also offer service with his sales.

“Customer service is the thing. That’s what sells products,” he said. “And that’s what I’m stressing more than anything.”

Joining Malone will be two certified mechanics, making the new job tally from this enterprise three, for now.

Malone said he thinks there is a demand for boat sales and service, given the number of people who enjoy outdoor sports and recreation. Malone fished competitively in the past.

Malone said his business has gotten a warm welcome from city officials who seem excited at the prospect of a new business locating in Ironton.

“The mayor has bent over backward and Bill (Dickens, economic development director) has been great to work with,” Malone said. “I have no complaints at all.”

Malone, who previously operated Malone’s Auto Parts in South Point for 22 years, said he hopes to be openFeb. 10. His store will occupy 2,500 square feet of his 10,000 square-feet location.


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10 Jan 2012

US Navy rescues Iranian fishing boat from pirates – AP

WASHINGTON — A U.S. Navy destroyer has rescued an Iranian fishing boat that had been commandeered by suspected pirates just days after Tehran warned the U.S. to keep its warships out of the Persian Gulf.

American forces flying off the guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd responded to a distress call from the Iranian vessel, the Al Molai, which had been held captive for more than 40 days, the U.S. Navy said Friday. The Kidd was sailing in the Arabian Sea, after leaving the Persian Gulf, when it came to the sailors’ aid.

A U.S. Navy team boarded the ship Thursday and detained 15 suspected Somali pirates. They had been holding the 13-member Iranian crew hostage and were using the boat as a “mother ship” for pirating operations in the Persian Gulf.

Amid escalating tensions with Tehran, the Obama administration reveled in delivering the news.

“This is an incredible story. This is a great story,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said, explaining that the very same American ships the Islamic republic protested for recently traveling through the Strait of Hormuz were responsible for the Iranian vessel’s recovery.

“They were obviously very grateful to be rescued from these pirates,” Nuland said.

The episode occurred after a week of hostile rhetoric from Iranian leaders, including a statement by Iran’s Army chief that American vessels are no longer welcome in the Gulf. Iran also warned it could block the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway that carries to market much of the oil pumped in the Middle East.

The Iranian threats, which were brushed aside by the Obama administration, were in response to strong economic sanctions against Iran over its disputed nuclear enrichment program. Last week, President Barack Obama signed into law new sanctions targeting Iran’s Central Bank and its ability to sell petroleum abroad.

According to the Navy, the Kidd was part of the USS John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, which had recently left the Persian Gulf through the Strait and into the northern Arabian Sea.

A Navy search and seizure team was taken by helicopter from the Kidd to the Al Molai and met no resistance from the pirates, who surrendered quickly.

“The Al Molai had been taken over by pirates for roughly the last 40-45 days,” said Josh Schminsky, a Navy Criminal Investigative Service agent aboard the Kidd. “They were held hostage, with limited rations, and we believe were forced against their will to assist the pirates with other piracy operations.”


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Schminsky said the Iranian boat’s captain thanked the U.S. for assistance. “He was afraid that without our help, they could have been there for months,” Schminsky said in a prepared release.

The U.S. team gave the crew food, water and medical care. Nuland said the crew then returned the Iranians to their fishing vessels “and they went on their way.”

The captured pirates remain on the Stennis while the U.S. considers options for prosecution and consults with other nations that have joined forces against piracy.

“Sadly, this is not a new thing,” she told reporters, citing more than 1,000 pirates picked up at sea who are under prosecution in some 20 countries. “So this is always a question of where to send them and who will do the prosecution.”

Asked if the rescue mission could provide a chance for a thaw in relations with Iran, Nuland declined to comment. She said the Navy had made a “humanitarian gesture” to take the Iranians onboard, feed them and ensure they were in good health before setting them off. She said the U.S. and Iranian governments have had no direct contact over the incident.

___

Associated Press writer Bradley Klapper contributed to this report.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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10 Jan 2012

Steady crowds boost New York Boat Show

Steady crowds boost New York Boat Show


Posted on 09 January 2012


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nyc0109A new year brought renewed optimism among dealers at the Progressive Insurance New York Boat Show, the first show of 2012.

After a walk on the floor of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan shortly before the show opened its doors on Friday, NMMA president Thom Dammrich said the mood among vendors was clearly upbeat.

“I’d say there’s probably more optimism for 2012 than in the past four or five years,” Dammrich told Trade Only Today.

Crowds were steady and building from opening day Wednesday through the five-day show. A National Football League playoff game at 1 p.m. that involved the hometown Giants somewhat diminished attendance on the final day.

Dammrich said he could sense optimism among both the vendors and attendees he spoke with.

“Some people have been coming out to the show for several years, just looking,” Dammrich said before noting recent positive economic news on manufacturing and jobs. “People are ready for some good news, they’re now getting some good news and I think people are ready to break out and do what they’ve been holding back on for years.”

Dave Dzurilla, general manager for MarineMax in New York’s Westchester County and Connecticut’s Fairfield County, said his crew was seeing “good, qualified prospects. We’re not seeing the daydreamer.”

nyc20109Dzurilla today reported 68 boats sold among the Sea Ray, Boston Whaler and Meridian displays, compared with 42 at the 2011 show.

“We had a decent fall, but after this show our entire team feels confident we’re finally seeing a real uptick,” he said.

Steve DeFeo, general manager of DeFeo’s Marina, a Bennington, Larson and Regal dealer on New York’s Greenwood Lake, said he has displayed at every New York show since 1981. Although pontoon boat sales have held up better than other models during the recession, he said he comes into 2012 feeling that “we’re slowly moving up the hill.”

Nate Anderson, Northeast regional sales manager for Scout Boats, said one change he’s sensing is that “people are sitting down and talking real numbers, which is a night-and-day difference from ’09, when all anybody wanted to talk about was how bad the recession was.”

Mark Yarussi, a regional sales manager for Bayliner who oversees 80 dealers from Michigan to Maine to Washington, D.C., summed up his take on the market this way:

“Compared to this time last year we’re picking up steam, and the enthusiasm is up and we feel good about 2012.”

— Rich Armstrong

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10 Jan 2012

Russian boat holed by iceberg arrives in New Zealand for repairs

Jan 9, 2012, 1:30 GMT

The 48-metre Sparta, with a 32-member crew, sent a distress call on December 16 saying it was sinking in the Ross Sea, on the edge of the Antarctic ice shelf, with a 30-centimetre hole in its hull.

After thick ice forced two other boats sent to its rescue to turn back, a South Korean icebreaker, Araon, reached it with equipment to make temporary repairs, and then escorted it to open water.

News reports said it was not known how long the repairs would take before the Sparta rejoined its sister ship the Chiyo Maru No 3, and resumed fishing.

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Wellington – A Russian fishing boat stranded in the Antarctic for 12 days after being holed by an underwater iceberg arrived in Nelson, on New Zealand’s South Island Monday for permanent repairs.

The 48-metre Sparta, with a 32-member crew, sent a distress call on December 16 saying it was sinking in the Ross Sea, on the edge of the Antarctic ice shelf, with a 30-centimetre hole in its hull.

After thick ice forced two other boats sent to its rescue to turn back, a South Korean icebreaker, Araon, reached it with equipment to make temporary repairs, and then escorted it to open water.

News reports said it was not known how long the repairs would take before the Sparta rejoined its sister ship the Chiyo Maru No 3, and resumed fishing.


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