Oriental boat show participants feel upbeat about industry
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ORIENTAL — Participating marine businesses for today’s opening of the three-day Oriental In-Water Boat Show are upbeat about their industry.
Boating sales have continued to improve amid a sluggish economy dating back to 2008.
“Our boat sales are doing pretty steady,” said Keith Tyndall, owner of Tyndall Marine in Bridgton, which builds and sells small motorboats. “Many people are downsizing and getting something so they can still get out on the water.”
He said the cost of fuel had been a driving force against boat sales. With smaller crafts, he said the costs of operation and maintenance are lower along with the costs of a vehicle and fuel to tow the boat.
Source: New Bern Sun Journal
Indonesia scrambles to find asylum seekers
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Indonesian authorities are scouring waters near Bali for about 60 Afghan asylum seekers reportedly trapped in a drifting boat.
A helicopter and four boats - including two from mining company Newmont - are involved in the search off Sumbawa, east of Bali.
The search and rescue team say it has been more than a day since the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) sent them possible search coordinates and three Indonesian mobile numbers thought to be used by those on board the boat, but so far there has been no sign of the boat.
Ian Rintoul, an activist from the Refugee Action Collective, says he has been in touch with those on the boat.
"I spoke to some of the people on the boat and they are OK but in need of assistance," he said.
Source: ABC Online
Company offering guided tours on duck boat
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PANAMA CITY BEACH— It’s yellow and travels on land or in water.
If the thought that comes to mind is a duck, you’re half right.
This time, it’s Duck Adventures’ duck boat tours on Richard Jackson Boulevard that give passengers a guided tour around Panama City Beach and into Grand Lagoon.
Owner Rick Roof said he got the idea while on vacation last year and knew he had to bring home the fun.
“We flew to Seattle to go on an Alaskan cruise last year and there are more than 40 ducks in Seattle,” Roof said. “Everybody was running around screaming and singing and carrying on and I had to check it out. I rode it and knew we needed one here.”
Source: The News Herald
