COVID-19 challenges for marine industry
The COVID-19 lockdown is already taking its toll on some UK marine businesses, while others have adapted to meet the challenges caused by the pandemic.
Norfolk’s Windboats Marine, which built both the Gunfleet cruising yacht and Hardy motor yachts has entered into administration, affecting around 40 workers at its North Walsham base. The firm blamed a general downturn in orders and the ‘untimely impact’ of coronavirus for the move, and administrators are actively looking for a buyer.
Other businesses have made redundancies. Sunseeker announced it would shed around 460 jobs – 20% of its workforce – ‘to weather the current challenges’. The Poole boatbuilder is preparing to start up full production after shutting down as a result of the pandemic.
British Marine has said the full impact of COVID-19 on the UK’s marine industry will not be known for at least 9-12 months.
“A shortened summer season (or none at all) for many businesses, including charter and holiday companies, means they may not survive through to 2021, while in winter when there is little to no income the off-season works will still be necessary,” said the CEO of the trade association, Lesley Robinson.
As a result, British Marine is lobbying the government for more support for the industry, particularly for those who don’t qualify for current fiscal support and for those seasonal industries who will have nothing to tide them over during the off-season.
Robinson said firms were also collaborating on sharing best practice and knowledge as workers returned to work.
Other firms have come up with creative ways to meet the challenges, with yacht brokers Ancasta hosting virtual new and used boat shows. A spokesman for Ancasta said it was looking to restore confidence and make it as ‘safe and simple’ as possible for potential buyers to view vessels so they could ‘make the most of the 2020 season’.
Meanwhile, some yacht clubs have raised concerns about their long term viability, with many facing massive financial struggle as a result of the cancellation of sailing activity and a drop in membership due to the pandemic lockdown.