Underfall Yard has re-opened its gates, welcoming visitors to the working boatyard after a Bristol boatyard fire damaged five historic buildings and destroyed six boats in May 2023. The fire was subsequently found to have been set by a new employee. Images of the devastating fire were shared across social media. Underfall Yard Disaster pic.twitter.com/6ekFtzLt6l — Martin Rands (@martr101) May 6, 2023 This is so very sad….Underfall Yard this morning after last night’s fire …@BBCBristol @BBCRB @BristolLive pic.twitter.com/yhQItobvSh — ?????? ??????? (@BrisVADAR) May 6, 2023 Recovery and reinst ..read more

Fishing crews are being encouraged to attend a course designed to save their lives at sea, after one man expressed his shock at ‘just how serious’ trawling can be when someone falls in the water. “The RNLI has been launching to the aid of fishing crews for 200 years,” says Frankie Horne, RNLI commercial fishing safety manager. “In 2023, RNLI lifeboat volunteers launched to commercial fishing vessels 272 times, saving 13 lives. We can’t always reach everyone in time though and commercial fishing remains one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Research has proven that wearing a lifejacket c ..read more

Although gross margins have remained resilient and the company delivered a solid first quarter consistent with guided expectations, Brunswick has announced its net sales in the quarter of 2024 were down 22 per cent versus the first quarter of 2023. “The impact of continued measured wholesale ordering patterns by dealers and OEMs coupled with higher discounts in some business segments, was only partially offset by annual price increases market share gains and benefits from well received new products,” says Ryan Gwillim, chief financial officer. “Adjusted operating earnings were down [versus pri ..read more

Japanese engine maker IHI Corp. has admitted that a subsidiary has falsified fuel efficiency data for 4,215 marine engines, spanning 58 models. 2,621 have been shipped overseas. And 1,594 are in use in the Japanese domestic market. The company is firmly in the centre of a data scandal. Customers for the engines, in production since 2003, include government ships, fishing vessels, domestic vessels, tugboats and work boats. IHI also supplies gas turbines for naval vessels and high-speed ships, large, medium and compact diesel engines for high, medium and low speed applications. ‘We have confirme ..read more

L’Aquaphile has announced the launch of its Pedayak Solar. This is described as a hybrid pedal kayak with electric drive, powered by solar panels. According to David Adrian, owner (and former officer of the French Navy’s special forces, combat swimmer and engineer), it’s the world’s smallest solar-powered boat, can be transported on a roof rack, and can carry passengers on some versions (it comes in four models with different positions for the solar panels). Adrian believes it will appeal to “all the sea lovers, particularly those who are more sensible to environment.” Over the past 12 years h ..read more

The Palma International Boat Show 2024 (PIBS) opened its doors this morning, marking the 40th anniversary of the annual Spanish boat show. PIBS kicks off the Med show season and runs from today until 28 April 2024 in Palma’s Moll Vell, on the island of Mallorca. A record 295 exhibitors will be participating in this year’s event, an increase of 24 companies compared to the previous edition. There are 260 boats on the water, compared to 252 last year, with the overall lengths remaining the same. Around 32,000 visitors are expected during the show. Palma Superyacht Village The Palma International ..read more

Dutch custom superyacht builder Royal Huisman has unveiled details of Project 411, Noir, an 81-metre sailing yacht with the tallest sloop rig in the world. When completed, Noir will rank among the world’s top ten largest sailing yachts and will feature the world’s tallest sloop rig, rising to 93 metres, with the yacht’s air draft exceeding the current tallest rig by about 4 metres. M5, designed by yacht designer Ron Holland, is currently the largest single-masted yacht ever built, with a height of 88.5m at the top of its carbon mast. Noir sailing yacht Noir’s Malcolm McKeon design will feature ..read more

Twin Vee PowerCats, a US manufacturer, distributor, and marketer of power boats, has hired Thomas Morford as its national sales director. “As director of national sales, Tom will play a crucial role in recruiting, leading, and supporting new Twin Vee dealers in all new territories,” says Joseph Visconti, CEO and president of Twin Vee PowerCats Co. “Additionally, he will be a key resource for our current dealer network as he works with them to provide training, sales advice, and marketing strategies. Tom has a strong background in recreational marine sales, which gives him a fundamental underst ..read more

Italian shipyard Wider has appointed Greater Bay Yachts as its exclusive dealer for Singapore and Hong Kong. The agreement encompasses the distribution of Wider’s entire serial line, including the 18.9-metre all-aluminium WiLder models. Greater Bay Yachts, which is based in Hong Kong, will be the primary point of contact for clients in Singapore and Hong Kong who want access to Wider’s models. “We are thrilled to partner with Greater Bay Yachts as our exclusive dealer for Singapore and Hong Kong,” says Marcello Maggi, head of W-Fin Sarl, the holding company that owns Wider. “Their reputat ..read more

Boatcare, a boat maintenance company founded by UK marina operator Boatfolk, has partnered with marine tech firm Sleipner. Sales and service of Sleipner’s products and technology are now available at Boatcare’s outlets within all 11 of Boatfolk’s marinas across the UK. Boatcare says this partnership will offer sales and servicing of Sleipners’ thruster, stabiliser steering, and anchor windlass products nationally. Customers can select the most suitable equipment from various pumps, cylinders, and accessories, ensuring a tailor-made solution for their boat’s specific requirements. “By joining f ..read more