Last Friday saw Superyacht Australia, the peak body for the superyacht sector in Australia, play a host to Information Sessions as well as a unique Networking Event in Tahiti, in response to a demand for greater information regarding the refit and repair capabilities and cruising options in Australia.
Tahiti crew
The event managed by AIMEX operations manager Victoria Smith saw over 140 captains, crew and industry players turn up to listen to the strong contingent of key players from the Australian superyacht industry who were in attendance to respond to questions and showcase the best of what Australia has to offer.
With the superyacht season commencing in Tahiti, the gateway to the South Pacific, this event was perfectly timed. The fact that the Australian dollar has dropped recently also now increases the attractiveness of Australia as a destination for the global Superyacht fleet.
Seven of the 12 superyachts in Tahiti at the time and who were participating in the function advised they had plans to cruise down to Australia in the next 12-24 months.
The captain of Yacht Legacy, KP said “the event organised by Superyacht Australia was fantastic and the cooking competition was first class and fun. I think this could definitely be an annual event to create better awareness of Australia for yachts on their way west’.
The Superyacht Australia initiative included a BBQ competition between the superyacht crews. Superyachts were provided with Australian Wagyu rib eye to marinate in Australian products and cook on coal fueled novelty barbeques. The judging panel realized the tough job ahead when the crew teams arrived dressed in themed attire including a team of aboriginals, pirates and typical ‘Aussies’ dressed in board shorts with green and yellow zinc. Each team was given an Australian map branding iron which was creatively used by one team to brand thinly sliced rounds of pineapple and others branded their steaks with the map. Dressed as pirates, the winning team (MY Legacy) presented the most outstanding dishes with Australian Wagyu beef served ‘three ways’ in the form of delicate appetizers matched with cocktails.
Superyacht Australia CEO M Edwards said “we saw the start of the charter season in Tahiti as the perfect time to showcase Australia by hosting captains, crews and service providers to a unique, truly Australian inspired event. The feedback from everyone has been amazing and it is certainly on our agenda to look at this as an annual event.”
Australia is well placed to service the large fleet of superyachts now cruising in Asia and the Pacific. The capabilities, expertise, equipment and skills are located in key locations making it a very attractive option for refits, repairs and routine maintenance.
Supporting sponsors of the Superyacht Australia Tahiti Networking Event include Superyacht Australian the Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX), AWL Grip, Cairns Marlin Marina, Cairns Ship Repair and Ancillary Services, City of Melbourne, Marine Engineering Consultants, MTU Detroit Diesel, Rivergate Marina and Shipyard, Superyacht Solutions and Sydney City Marine.
