BIA VIC launches boat club

THE Boating Industry Association of Victoria announced the launch of its new BIA Boat Club, which it said will give members the benefits of "an auto club for boats".

The BIA Boat Club will be launched at the 50th Annual BIA Melbourne Boat Show, which runs from 1 to 5 July at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

As a special launch offer, everyone who buys a ticket to the Boat Show will receive one application for a free first year of membership to the Boat Club.

Club members will benefit from a wealth of special privileges including insurance, finance and specialist boating advice, in addition to having a new and powerful voice on boating issues.

Members will have access to BIA Victoria Finance and a special personal accident insurance policy through BIA insurance providers IC Frith, as well as discounted boat handling courses, regular Boat Club e-news and “show your card and save” discounts on many marine products and services.

BIA GM Clyde Batty said the BIA Boat Club would strengthen the role of BIA as the peak representative body for Victorian boaters of all levels.

“In addition to the special discounts and benefits, the major strength of the BIA Boat Club is that it represents the hundreds of thousands of responsible recreational boaters in Victoria and protects their interests,” said Batty.

“It is very much like the auto clubs in this respect, with the main difference being that the on-water equivalent of road service is provided by marine rescue organisations such as the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association.

“For 50 years BIA Victoria has proudly served and represented the interests of Victorian boaters through its membership of leading marine industry businesses, and the BIA Boat Club now extends our representation and benefits to the boaters themselves.”

For more information on BIA Boat Club visit BIA’s new website at www.biavic.com.au or visit the BIA stand at the 50th Annual BIA Melbourne Boat Show.

The 50th Annual BIA Melbourne Boat Show runs from Thursday 1 July to Monday 5 July at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. Opening hours are 10am to 9pm daily except Sunday, when the show closes at 7pm, and Monday when it closes at 8pm.