British Marine

Intro

The British Marine Federation (BMF) has around 1,500 members. Members are drawn from both the seagoing and inland sectors of the marine industry covering the leisure boat, hire fleet, commercial workboat and superyacht sectors and supporting services. The BMF offer a range of services to support and help its members grow their businesses from training grants to exhibiting support, technical advice to boat show discounts. The National Boat Shows, which is a subsidiary of the British Marine Federation, organise two of the major annual boat shows in the United Kingdom, London Boat Show and the Southampton Boat Show.

The British Marine Federation’s core activities are:

- Promote the marine industry

- Provide showcases for its products, here and overseas

- Liaise with Governments, Authorities and Agencies

- Conduct research on UK and International marine markets

- Provide technical, regulatory and manufacturing information and advice

- Provide strategy, advice and practical assistance on environmental issues

- Assist with training and recruitment

- Advise and represent on legal and financial matters

History

There has been a trade association representing leisure boat building right from the start of the growth of yachting for pleasure in the UK - back in Edwardian times during early 1900's.

1919

The commercial ship builders had their federations so, in 1913, the Boat, Yacht and Allied Trades Association was formed with the aim of promoting and protecting its members, promoting or opposing legislation, collecting debts and keeping a record of County Court judgements, bankruptcies and the names of known swindlers. By 1919, the Association had 108 Full and 74 Associate members and a full time secretary with a salary of £150

1947

There were tough times in the 1920's and 30's, but the association kept going. It helped negotiate with the Admiralty for the commission of new vessels and continued to do so throughout the Second World War. In 1947 the Association changed it's name to the Ship and Boat Builders National Federation, perhaps reflecting the increased role it was playing nationally in trying to win work for its members repairing Britain's war ravaged infrastructure. Life in the following decade was not easy for the Federation with it's member's still struggling with shortages of materials and the austere atmosphere.

1954

The association, and later the Federation, never stopped trying to promote its members. Since 1914, it had been putting on a joint exhibition at Olympia with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Over the years pressure came from members to have their own show and, in 1954, it happened. With the help of Max Aitken and the sponsorship of his paper the Daily Express, the London International Boat Show was born at the Empire Hall, Olympia. There were many more to come and later National Boat Shows, the company set up to run the BMF Shows, made a successful acquisition of the Southampton Boat Show. Today National Boat Shows remains a wholly owned subsidiary of the trade association.

1973

In 1973, the Federation had a real fight on its hands when the Labour Government imposed 25% VAT on boats. It did everything - lobbied MP's, joined forces with the Royal Yachting Association to appeal to the media - and finally got an audience with the tough Chancellor of the day, Dennis Healey. In the end the battle was won - a year later the rate was halved and then later still went back to the standard rate.

1986

Over the years, more and more companies in the marine industry felt they should be represented by the Federation, particularly equipment manufacturers. After some reluctance by the boat builders this was accepted and by 1986 the Federation had become the British Marine Industries Federation.

2008

Today, the trade association for the marine industry is known as the British Marine Federation and it represents 12 regional associations, 19 Group Associations and 1550+ members

See Also

British Marine Federation London Boat Show Southampton Boat Show

References

1. British Marine Federation 2. On The Water [www.onthewater.co.uk ] 3. PSP Southampton Boat Show [1] 4. Tullett Prebon London Boat Show [2]

External links

On the Waterwww.onthewater.co.uk – the online portal for boating events, holidays, resources and ideas on how to get on the water The British Marine Federation British Marine Federation – the trade association for leisure, small craft and superyacht marine industry