Wednesday 16 February 2011

Super yachts a growth market

: Photo by superyachttimes.com

by Mat Churchill

In the years between 2000 and 2008 the super yacht market, those huge luxury vessels, saw massive growth in number and size.

While the GFC had an impact on this growth, there are signs of recovery which presents an opportunity for Port Douglas. Carrie Carter is the chairman of Super Yacht Group Great Barrier Reef and is working hard to ensure this opportunity does not pass us by.

"We're trying to make Cairns the hub of the South Pacific. Not only just Cairns but also our surrounding region like Port Douglas and make it into a welcoming destination for the luxury super yachts. Not only for the crew but for their owners as well," Ms Carter said.

And with crew that can number up to 70 there is potential for local businesses to benefit.

"At the end of the day if we make it very encouraging and welcoming for the captains and crew, it's the captains that give feedback to the owners and say hey, you should get yourself down to Australia and the top end and see the diving off Port Douglas, or Lizard Island, and the fishing's great, that sort of thing.

"What we've done is build up a membership base that provides a lot of services to these super yachts. We are going out there and marketing to the South Pacific, to Tahiti, to the international boat shows, and saying Cairns is here, it's alive and well, come and visit us here at the Great Barrier Reef, we've got a lot to offer."

Jason Roles, general manager of Meridien Marina said that Port Douglas is in a better position to attract the super yacht market than it has been in the past.

"We've got a great opportunity to accommodate super yachts. All our large berths are now deep water berths," he said.

Mr Roles said that the marina now has three, 21 metre plus berths, and three, 31 metre plus berths meaning they can actively work with organisations such as Super Yacht Group Great Barrier Reef to attract more of these vessels to our region.

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Rod Davis Davis, 18-02-11 20:12:

PITY most white boat crews i met last year in the Med, Carib, and Asia are bolted to the docks, as the millionare bosses cop the losses.
If the odd one strays into our areas, all good, but the glory days are on ice for now.
Nice industry, cool crews, but pugnatatious and ostentatious losers who own them.

philip dalziel, 18-02-11 17:12:

Hey Debbie "our beauty rich and rare" what does that mean ?? but lets captivate them ,I for one will be down at the Marina in my leopard skin G string ready to show them my infectious work ethic (can be treated with penicillin)and show them the delights of Port Douglas ,can you let me know what they are ?? Bally Hooley ,past use by date restaurants or maybe the ocean they can't swim in but they are sure to get a bus ride with two companies chasing each other all over town ,do you think they have caught a bus before ?

Debbie Bartle, 16-02-11 21:06:

The super yacht industry is sure to steam full ahead here in the greater Cairns area.With the love of Aussies world wide already working on these fabulous vessels.Our nature is infectious and our work ethics are hard at it.With this inplace abroad the Captains,crew and owners of these super yachts are bound to visit and take advantage of our beauty rich and rare.
It is now up to each and all of us to make sure that we captivate them to keep them continuing to our patch of paradise.Ensuring that it becomes a permanent part of the super yacht season.
I worked a year abroad on the Meditteranean circuit as deckhand.It is an experience I will never forget.To be able to travel to all the famous cities to delve in the history and culture and be paid.It is definately something I would love to share with all my fellow european crew-friends.
Lets showcase our corner of the country to the rest of the world.We may not be rich in history.But we make up for it in diversity of culture and awe inspiring scenery at every turn.

philip dalziel, 16-02-11 20:37:

ever heard of the Whitsundays ??? but if you say it it must be true ,stay in the fog