MIA backs boat sharing in marinas

Industry association says regulatory change will bring in new revenue for marinas.

The Marina Industries Association (MIA) has thrown its support behind the proposed change to commercial vessel regulations which would allow boat owners to let their boats for short term overnight accommodation in return for payment.

The Australian Marine Safety Authority (AMSA) recently released a draft exemption for public comment which, if adopted, would pave the way for peer-to-peer boat sharing schemes to operate in marinas.

MIA chairman Andrew Chapman said the MIA board had considered the matter and taken in the views expressed at a recent meeting of certified marina members.

In statement, the MIA said it supports the proposed exemption in principle as it “has the potential to expose new people to the social and recreational benefits of marinas and to the boating lifestyle and in doing so bring new customers and revenue into the marina economy”.

“It will also have the potential for participating marina berth holders to cover some of their boat ownership costs making boat ownership more affordable.”

A key aspect of the proposed exemption is that boat owners will only be able to rent out their boats if they are kept in a marina and have the written approval of the marina. The MIA says this requirement will give marinas control over the operation of boat shares within their own facilities.

“MIA considers this condition is critical as it recognises that not all marinas will want and/or are not suited to the provision of short term marina accommodation.

“MIA encourages each individual marina to assess its own suitability for the provision of short term marina accommodation with careful reference to the proposed draft exemption.”

The draft is open for consultation until 26 June, 2018, on the AMSA website.