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1:15 AM Wed 21 Jan 2009 GMT
 | | 'Charles Dickson, long time proponent of the Gold Coast marine industry, is manager of new entity, Marine Gold Coast.'
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Over 100 Queensland boat building companies have been invited to attend a Gold Coast meeting on February 2, called with the intention of forming a Manufacturers Division of Marine Queensland.
The initiative follows a series of face to face meetings between Gold Coast Division Manager, Charles Dickson and a broad cross section of local boat building companies.
Dickson says in his discussions with company CEOs there has been general agreement that boat building standards for Australia need to be more clearly defined and enforced if we are to compete on a level playing field with imports from less experienced overseas manufacturers.
In conjunction with AMIF, the National Marine Safety Committee has entered into an agreement with Standards Australia to project manage the revision of Australian Standard AS1799.1 Small Craft - General Requirements for Powerboats.
The draft standard for AS1799.1 has been circulated to Queensland boat builders for comment. A copy of the revised Draft Standard can also be viewed at: www.standards.org.au(Click on Drafts for Public Comment and scroll down to document reference DR 08224).
The revised standard is a key reference standard for the Australian Builders Plate and covers buoyancy, stability, fire protection and a range of other safety aspects for recreational boats of up to 15 metres LOA. Comments on the draft standard close on 1 March 2009.
Under the inter-governmental agreement that established the NMSC, there is an obligation on marine safety agencies to implement National Standards developed by NMSC as legal requirements.
"The proposal to form a Manufacturers Division will ensure that our industry has an active and authoritative voice in the standard setting process," said Dickson.
"Queensland's boat builders are being asked to review the current draft standard prior to the February 2 meeting. At the meeting, they will have the opportunity to form a Manufacturers Division within Marine Queensland.
'If approved, Marine Queensland's Manufacturers Division will prepare a submission to the NMSC in response to the call for public comment relative to AS 1799.1. Subsequently, the Manufacturers Division will coordinate and submit formal responses, comments and input into this and future standards for the industry."
Marine Queensland will also take this opportunity to update members on other initiatives aimed at assisting the manufacturing sector in the immediate future.
A follow up meeting between John Henry, Acting CEO of the NMSC and Queensland's boat builders is planned for end of February/early March to review and discuss any concerns arising from our industry submission.
On May 21/22, NMSC will host a public forum on recreational boat standards applying both in Australia and overseas, to coincide with the ISO Committee on Small Craft Meeting in Australia.
This 'Summit Down Under' will be held on the Gold Coast in conjunction with the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. The event will provide an opportunity to meet with the international experts who developed the ISO Standards. A one-day seminar on May 22 will look at the latest developments in recreational boating standards around the world and what this means for Australian exporters looking to sell into international markets.
The ISO's goal is to achieve one set of safety standards that are acceptable in all countries.
For information, contact Charles Dickson, Manager Gold Coast Division
Marine Queensland, Tel: (07) 5526 6440 or email: info@goldcoastmarineindustry.org
by Jeni Bone
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