8:25 PM Mon 12 Oct 2009 GMT
The loss of Andrew Short, tragically killed when his yacht ran aground on Flinders Islet off Port Kembla in the early hours of last Saturday, has left recreational boating industry colleagues devastated.
Both the industry and the yachting community are struggling to come to terms with the loss of Andrew and his navigator, Sally Gordon, whose life was also claimed by the cruel sea.
Everyone is asking, why? How?
In Andrew Short there were few in yachting with more skill at the helm, while Sally Gordon, a veteran, like Andrew, of 15 gruelling Sydney-Hobart classics, was acknowledged as a first rate navigator.
They are unanswered questions that may only be answered, at least in part, at the pending Coronial Inquest.
I do not envy the coroner's task.
As has been well documented, the maxi yacht involved in the tragedy was the former Shockwave V, an 80-foot, high-tech, carbon-fibre racer that had already shown its class worldwide.
Television coverage of the aftermath showed the maxi had been smashed to 'matchwood.'
Tributes for the pair have flowed thick and fast since the tragedy unfolded.
Doug Olding, president of the Boating Industry Association of NSW, said all were 'very saddened' at Andrew's passing. 'This is a tragic loss and our thoughts are with the family,' he said.
'Andrew was a high-profile member of our industry and he lifted the standards of the recreational boating industry at all levels,' he added.
Association general manager, Roy Privett, was shocked at hearing the news. 'Andrew was an active member of the recreational marine industry, with a number of successful business ventures in place,' he explained.
'Andrew Short Marine Services was one of the association's long-standing members, holding membership number 87, having joined in 1981.
'He was widely respected as a business competitor and as a friend to many in the industry.
'The Boating Industry Association of NSW and the board of directors express sincere condolences to the families involved. 'Andrew and, I'm sure, Ms Sally Gordon, will both be sadly missed.'
Domenic Genua, marketing and event manager for the association, a man who had regular contact with Andrew during major boat shows, described him as 'one of the true gentlemen of our industry.'
'He was a great contributor to our events and never held back when ever we needed assistance,' he said.
'The entire staff at the BIA has been deeply saddened at this dreadful loss. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.'
There would have been very few industry people closer to Andrew Short than Mercury Marine director Ken Evans.
Evans was absolutely shattered at the loss of his colleague and close friend.
'Andrew and I had a great working relationship over more 27-years,' he said.
'In fact, last Saturday, the day on which he lost his life, was the 27th anniversary of him being in business.
'I actually raced with Andrew on two occasions back in the late 80s, early 90s, winning both times.
'I would often remind him when he was due to compete in a major race that he should consider adding me to the crew as I had a 100 percent success rate in ocean racing and would be able to show him how it's done.
'Andrew was a great friend, dealer, family man, boater and just a plain good bloke.
'He will be sadly missed by many.
'I, together with Mercury/Brunswick will assist and support his wife Kylie and the Short family as much as we can through this tragedy.'
Another to express 'total dismay' at the loss and confirm all possible assistance to Kylie Short and the family was John Temple, general manager, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific for the Brunswick Asia Pacific Group.
'Andrew was a highly-regarded Mercury and Sea Ray dealer, winning top dealership awards across the brands on many occasions,' he said.
'I had the pleasure of accompanying Andrew on numerous dealer trips to the United States and he was always in the thick of things, whether quizzing other guests on the trip or seeking answers to questions during plant inspections.
'Andrew was regarded by his peers as a knowledgeable dealer and as an astute operator.
'All would happily seek his advice and listen intently to anything he had to say.
'I cannot recall anyone every saying a bad word in relation to Andrew, he was always looked upon as a leader by other dealers,' he added.
John Temple recalled enjoying the company of Andrew and Kylie on dealer reward trips to many places around the world.
'I recall being on the bullet train from Moscow to St.Petersburg and my wife, Genevieve and I were in the same carriage as Andrew and Kylie, all having a great time together with a lively bunch of dealers and their wives,' he said.
'While most of the crew were sharing the delights of duty free, Andrew sat with Genevieve and explained to her the benefits of being a Lexus owner and why she should be one.
'I think Lexus was one of his sponsors at the time and it shows what sort of a guy Andrew was, always doing the right thing by those who supported him,' he added.
As John pointed out, he was not the only one to enjoy the company of Andrew and Kylie Short.
'A couple of months ago, Dusty McCoy, CEO and chairman of Brunswick, together with John Pfeifer, vice president of International Business, were on a visit to Australia,' he recalled.
'One of the first things Dusty suggested to me was to catch up with Andrew and Kylie.
'We had breakfast with them and they took us out to see the passing whale migration off the coast, aboard a Sea Ray, of course.
'Dusty was most impressed with Andrew's handling of the boat, continually fine -tuning it to operate at its maximum efficiency.
'He mentioned that day to me many times afterwards.
'What can I say?
'On behalf of all directors, staff and all employees of Mercury and Sea Ray across Australia and New Zealand, we are all deeply saddened at Andrew's passing and will ensure that every assistance is extended to Kylie and the Short family,' he added.
As near as I recall, I first met Andrew around 1984, '85, not long after the family had moved to Sydney from their home town, Melbourne.
He had opened a small marine dealership on the western side of Taren Point Road, in Sydney's south.
When I met him little did I realise this would be the beginning of a recreational boating 'empire' that would include marine dealerships and marinas on both sides of Sydney Harbour.
If anyone was 'born' to be a marine dealer it was surely Andrew Short.
His father, Fred, who had worked for Savage in Melbourne, established Se-Al boats, at Taren Point (Andrew worked there briefly), his brother Ian is a noted sail maker, and his other brother Matthew is a freight forwarding agent who has been responsible for the shipment of numerous Maritimo and Riviera boats to worldwide dealer networks.
My colleague Jeni Bone, editor of MarineBusinessNews, spoke with Andrew some weeks ago in relation to a story she intended to write.
Andrew told her that being a marine dealer was 'in my blood.'
'I couldn't imagine doing anything else, because the contact with customers and boating are my two passions,' he told Jeni.
With that outlook on life, I guess it came as no surprise that Andrew Short was destined to become a highly successful entity in the boating industry.
He was appointed a Mariner dealer in 1984 and was 'promoted' to be named Mercury and Mariner for the south side of Sydney in 1989.
From there, it was simply a case of Andrew Short Marine Services (as he was to call his company) going from strength to strength.
He moved into a large showroom across the road from his original facility, but eventually outgrew that and acquired a massive showroom and workshop property nearby.
That remains the headquarters of the company, but it now encompasses two marinas, at Yowie Bay, not far from the HQ, and at Ferguson's Boat Shed at The Spit, Mosman.
I recall being at the official opening of the re-vamped Yowie Bay Marina shortly after it had been acquired and updated by Andrew; he was as proud as punch, as the saying goes.
Having known Andrew for something like 24-years, there are a few tales I could tell, but really, it has all been said.
I will always recall a smiling face, direct eye contact and a firm handshake, like he was always glad to see you.
That was Andrew Short; I think someone said it, but I'll say it again, he was a real good bloke.
To Kylie, the kids Ryan (20), Nick (19), Sam (16), Mitch (14) and Madison (9) and all in the Short family I join with the boating industry at large in extending sincere condolences.
To Andrew, fair winds, mate.
by Bob Wonders
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Nilma North (Warragul)
