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ATO to investigate boat owners

An investigation by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is underway to match personal data of up to 160,000 individuals and organisations that have registered boats. According to Deloitte tax partner David Pring, the information gathered will be used to match tax office records in attempt to highlight areas of non-compliance with tax obligations. Boat owners will be unaware they’re under investigation as the program is of data only, and the tax office will contact boat owners only if they find any discrepancies. Mr Pring added that it was an interesting time for the investigation to take place as it coincides with rising fuel prices and an economic squeeze where boat sales are suffering. A similar investigation was announced in 2006 and Mr Pring said the results were never made public. “The ATO will be examining the taxation records of registered boat owners to ensu! re that there are no outstanding lodgments or payment obligations. The examination is likely to be across all tax areas including income, tax, superannuation, GST and FBT, not just boat related issues,” he said. The tax office will check to determine that incomes stated support the type of boat registered.

MAGOZ specialises in supplying STCW-qualified, fully trained marine security personnel to superyachts travelling through high risk waters. In recent years, there as been an increase in superyacht traffic in high risk waters such as the Malacca Straits, Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden. There has also been an increase in piracy in these troubled waters. MAGOZ provide adequate planning and correct consultation with relevant authorities in order to assist with safe passage through such waters. The company also provides security teams to vessels. All operatives are former naval, coastguard, intelligence or law enforcement officers and apply risk assessment techniques and effective risk management processes. Their training includes de-escalation tactics, use of force and watch-keeping. The International Maritime Bureau states that piracy worldwide is on the rise, with seafarers being subjected to approximately 50 attacks between January and March, up by 20 per cent for this same period last year. The Gulf of Aden ties in with India as second on the high-risk list, with Nigeria coming out on top. Some of the high profile yachts MAGOZ have most recently assisted include Lazy Z, Outback and Twizzle.

For further information visit www.magozsecurity.com

For further information Tel:  +61(0)7 5556 1200  or visit www.imdm.com.au

At the recent Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show (MAATS) in Las Vegas, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International (BWI) awarded the Safety Category Innovation Award to Aqualuma’s unique Brake Light System™ (ABS). The Innovation Awards are judged by a panel from BWI members who perform product testing throughout the year and have specific expertise in marine accessories. According to the NMMA, the awards identify those products that demonstrate innovative distinction; clear benefit to the marine industry and/or consumer; practicality; cost-effectiveness; and availability to the consumer within 60 days of the show’s conclusion. “It is such an honour to receive this extraordinary recognition from the industry, particularly in the category of safety and innovation,” says Carl Amor, president of Aqualuma. The ABS alerts other PWC riders and boaters when the operator releases the throttle for at least half a second. When the throttle is released for a period of time, the unit automatically goes into a flash mode. This increases visibility to surrounding boats and can alert other vessels for assistance due to mechanical problems by manually setting the “SOS” mode, which would be automatically cancelled if the engine were restored. Because it uses low-energy-draw LED lights, the Aqualuma Brake Light System can flash for days without running down the vessel’s battery. Separately, Aqualuma has unveiled a self-contained LED underwater lighting system constructed with a polymer housing so rugged, the company backs it with a two-year limited warranty. Designed to be mounted to a vessel’s trim tabs (or L-brackets), this new system ! delivers a rear-facing aura of underwater light around any vessel. Three long-life LED elements provide enough illumination to penetrate the darkness far around the boat, yet draw less than 1 Amp at 12V DC. The LED Trim Tab Lights are available in Ultra Blue, Ultra Green and Brilliant White. Because Aqualuma LED Trim Tab Lights create very little heat, they can be run out of the water, which means they can be left on while the boat is on the plane. Finally, Aqualuma has a new password-protected website from which authorised dealers can download advertisements, product images and other marketing materials.

For further information visit www.aqualuma.com

Australia’s newest marina brand, Star Marinas, has begun constructing its $100 million Pacific Harbour Marina Village. The four-arm marina is the first stage of a village located an hour north of Brisbane, at the entrance to Moreton Bay and Pumicestone Passage Marine Park at Bribie Island. Due to be ready for ! guests in November, the marina will be constructed in two stages with 150 berths accommodating mono or multihulls ranging from 10-15 metres in length. As the marina is located in the Pacific Harbour enviro-development and adjacent to the Marine Park, the design is within strict environmental guidelines. Facilities include Marinanet wireless internet service, holding-tank pump-out facilities, a short-term berthing jetty, security access control, parking, laundry, showers and restrooms. A maintenance and refuelling facility is situated nearby. Star Marinas operations manager, Warren Russell, said, “Traditional marinas can be fairly grimy and noisy places if there’s a lot of maintenance work going on, so the Pacific Harbour Marina is 100 per cent focused on our core values of liveability and sustainability.” The entertainment and retail precinct and boardwalk will be the next stage to commence at the Pacific Harbour Marina. The final stages of the Pacific Harbour Marina, Bribie Island, will include a gated villa precinct, waterfront apartments and townhouses. This will complete the village atmosphere of the marina. The next stages of construction are to be the entertainment, retail precinct, and finally a gated villa precinct on Bribie Island, which will complete the village atmosphere of the marina. “The marina will be! regarded as a destination in itself,” Warren said. “Combined with our natural attributes and being only an hour from Brisbane airport, it’s clear that Pacific Harbour Marina will be one of Australia’s most popular spots for boaties,” he said

For further information Tel: +(0)7 3408 7722 or visit www.starmarinas.com.au