Inflatable Dinghy

Seawork – 500 exhibitors and 60 boats

23.02.51

Of immediate interest to those leisure marine companies operating on the edges of the commercial world is the news that the British Marine Federation (BMF) recently changed the name of the British Commercial Boatbuilders Association (BCBA) to BMF Commercial Marine.

BMF Commercial Marine will focus on working with the small craft commercial sector, workboat builders and their supply chain of marine equipment companies and service suppliers. The federation is looking to provide support through technical advice, stronger representation and a national programme of networking opportunities.

“The BMF has talked to leading companies in the commercial workboat sector and we feel that, given the skills, knowledge, experience and contacts that are on hand at the BMF, we are in a position to bring real value to the members,” said Howard Pridding, BMF executive director.

Source: Boating Business

Around Australia in an inflatable for Tasmanian with a cause

23.02.53

Next Tuesday, Tasmanian entrepreneur Robert Pennicott will be departing for an epic journey entitled “Follow the Yellow Boat Road”, when he circumnavigates Australia in a 5.4m inflatable yellow dinghy to raise funds for Polio eradication.

Pennicott’s aim is to raise the additional $39 million needed by Rotary International to hit the $200 million benchmark, to which Bill Gates has pledged to contribute $355 million more. The grand total of $555 million is anticipated to lead to the total worldwide eradication of polio, with a donation of just $10 vaccinating 17 children.

A passionate mariner and conservationist, Pennicott, who is also the founder of award-winning, Tasmanian

Source: YACHTe.com.au

Poor weather delays epic trek

31.05.11

ROB Pennicott's three-month circumnavigation of Australia in a rubber dinghy suffered a false start yesterday.

The Tasmanian tourism operator began his epic journey as planned on Sydney Harbour at 7am accompanied by another 5.4m inflatable dinghy skippered by Mick Souter, Pennicott Wilderness Journeys' operations manager.

Mr Pennicott spent four hours trying to determine whether it was safe to proceed in rough weather.

The two boats travelled about 10 nautical miles before the entrepreneur made the decision that it would be better to return and wait for better conditions.

Mr Pennicott said he hoped to get started at 7am tomorrow.

He said he wanted to arrive in Brisbane by the end of the week.

Source: TheMercury.com.au