Personal flotation devices made to the new Australian Standard AS 4758 can now be sold and worn around the country.

National Marine Safety Committee CEO Margie O'Tarpey explained that Australia's marine safety authorities have met the timeframe of 1 July 2010 set by the NMSC to accept personal flotation devices made to AS 4758.

The NMSC has produced a point of sale brochure for retailers, dealers and the general public explaining the PFDs made to the new standard and what they mean. Copies can be attained from marine safety authorities or the NMSC.

Ms O'Tarpey explained that it is important for retailers and the general boating public to understand how to identify the markings on the new PFDs.

"The new standard identifies PFDs for different uses according to "Levels" rather than "Types" and the new Level 150 PFD has increased performance characteristics compared to most PFD Type 1's.

Marine Queensland CEO, Don Jones and Far North Queensland Region Chairman, Wayne Bayne met with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott along with Senators Ian MacDonald and Brett Mason in Cairns on 11 June to discuss a range of key marine industry concerns.

Key issues raised with Mr Abbott included the current Bioregional Planning Process, particularly with the Coral Sea declaration as a conservation zone outside of the process and the proposed marine parks in the Fraser Coast region, the impending review of zones in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, recreational fishing and the state of the marine industry in Queensland.
Marine Queensland was invited by Mr Abbott to make a submission to the Coalition Policy Committee on key marine industry issues with a view to having them incorporated into national Coalition policy. After the meeting Marine Queensland representatives spent the following day with the Coalition Policy team to provide more detail on a range of industry issues. Marine Queensland also sponsored a detailed presentation from Dr Ben Diggles, a renowned marine biologist on science related issues for the Coral Sea, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and recreational fishing.

Don Jones congratulated the Opposition Leader on his comments supporting the marine industry and his willingness to incorporate key industry concerns into national Coalition Policy.

THE Voluntary Administrators of Mustang Marine announced the sale of Mustang Marine to a prominent Gold Coast businessman. It was later confirmed Maritmo's Bill Barry-Cotter and entrepreneur Steve Searle purchased the Gold Coast company. Cliff Sanderson and Alan Topp of Restructuring Works were appointed Voluntary Administrators of Mustang on 19 March.

“Mustang had been investing heavily in research and development and was in the process of launching a number of new boats, said Cliff Sanderson.

“However, the effects of the global economic crisis weighed heavily on Mustang’s financial performance during 2009 and the business was further hampered by a fire at a critical supplier earlier this year. As a result Mustang was unable to fully implement its strategy resulting in our appointment in March.”

The Administrators conducted a short sale process to ensure the period of Voluntary Administration was as short as possible.

The statement said the purchaser plans to reassess Mustang’s business strategy and to then roll out the new range of boats over the next year. Mustang’s manufacturing facility will be relocated but will remain on the Gold Coast.

“In the next week or so we will call another meeting of creditors. It is likely that a Deed of Company Arrangement, which is essentially a 'financial deal', will be put forward for creditors’ consideration, which will result in all employees receiving their entitlements in full and there will be an amount offered to other creditors,” said Sanderson.