SAIL OF THE CENTURY
DOZENS OF SUPERYACHTS DESCEND ON COAST
THE Southport Yacht Club and Gold Coast big boat industry is cheering results so far of an on-water customs clearance port being trialled.
Since the new port opened mid-last year at the club, 35 foreign-flagged vessels arriving in Australia came direct into the Gold Coast.
Until now, they have had to clear customs in Brisbane, which has meant the Coast has often missed out on the lucrative superyacht market.
Since it started operating in July last year, Southport Yacht Club waterfront manager Mark Riddell confirmed: “Southport Yacht Club has had around 35 boats clear into the Gold Coast.
“The Border Force station at Southport Yacht Club has made a tremendous difference to the Gold Coast.”
The decision to include Southport Yacht Club on a list of approved international arrival points was after lobbying by three tiers of government representatives and marine industry stalwarts.
Gold Coast City Marina CEO Trenton Gay led the charge with backing Federal and State MPs, Gold Coast City councillors, Mayor Tom Tate and Gold Coast Waterways Authority boss Hal Morris.
Mr Gay said the 35 plus vessels which had arrived direct so far during the trial would accelerate once awareness it was an option grew internationally.
A Superyacht Australia statement on the trial’s success so far said owners and users of foreign flagged vessels tended to make their cruising plans years in advance and it would take at least 12 to 18 months to see the true effects of the new port of entry.
Events like the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and the second ever Australian Superyacht Rendezvous at Gold Coast City Marina a week after the Games end aim to put a strong spotlight on the region as a big boat destination.
More than 20 superyachts have booked in for the Rendezvous and many will be arriving earlier for the duration of the Games.
Ocean Alliance charter agency managing director Joachim Howard said the firm had up to five superyachts booked for the Gold Coast during the Games.
“The more options a yacht has for a port of clearance is a big advantage for a coastline.
“If you’re coming from New Caledonia or Fiji and want to go direct to the Gold Coast, it makes it far more convenient.”