Boating Industry Association of Southern Africa
What is BIASA?
BIASA is a national trade organisation which promotes boating and acts in the interests of a progressive and prosperous pleasure boating industry by removing barriers to trade, acting as an information exchange, ensuring high standards of safety, quality, service and boating facilities as well as obtaining the maximum benefits for all commercial and industrial organisations within the boating and marine industry.
Historical?
The Association was established on the 22nd of March, 1971 under the title of "The South African Boat Builders' and Marine Dealers Association".
In March, 1973 a new constitution was adopted and it was subsequently registered as an employer's organisation under the then Industrial Conciliation Act.
The scope of the Association in terms of its constitution embraces the construction and repairs of all boats of the pleasure craft type up to 50 tonnes in mass and in the dealing in such boats and boating and marine equipment and provides for activities ancilliary or associated therewith.
On the 22nd of January, 1982 the name of the Association was changed to "Boating Industry Association of South Africa" (BIASA).
How is BIASA organised?
An Executive Committee of nine members elected at the Annual General Meetings governs BIASA and it meets regularly in the main centres.
Administration of the affairs of BIASA is performed by its Secretariat.
Affiliations
BIASA is a member of the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) which is the powerful mouthpiece for the boating industry on an international scale.
How is BIASA financed?
BIASA is financed by its membership fees paid by its member companies plus interest earned on its investments and any monies accruing to it from boat shows held under its auspices.
What does BIASA do for the industry?
BIASA acts as the watch dog for the industry by giving attention to all legislation, control measures and restrictive regulations which may effect the interests of members in the boating industry and is in close and constant contact with all relevant government and quasi government departments and other authorities.
BIASA keeps members informed of their obligations and points in terms of relevant legislation, regulations and control measures by regular circulars and newsletters.
BIASA is concerned with the protection of the public and its members by adopting fair trading practices.
BIASA has succeeded in securing relief from government in respect of the hire purchase period of repayment, the fuel restrictions and alleged water pollution and continues in this direction.
BIASA monitors boat shows and similar promotional events.
BIASA is concerned with the construction standards and regulations relating to small craft and interacts with SAMSA to ensure that regulations are fair, reasonable and do not unduly restrict the growth of the marine industry.
BIASA is active in securing improved and additional boating facilities.
BIASA interacts with other matters of concern to the industry including, customs duty, import control, exports transportation problems and public relations.
Members are encouraged to use BIASA to negotiate with authorities on their behalf in solving problems that arise.
Multi facetted
Different disciplines represented within BIASA include the following:
- Boat manufacturers
- Marine equipment chandlers
- Marine engine distribution, fitting and servicing
- Marina and facilities development
- Manufacture of fittings, sails and spares
- Trailer manufacture
- Boat charters and sailing cruises
- Marine brokerage and surveys
- Import/export of boats and equipment
- Magazine publishing
- Marine insurance broking and underwriting
- Marine finance
Current BIASA Executive Committee members
| President | Greg Bennett | Yamaha Distributors |
| Vice President | Carl Krause | Buccaneer Inflatables |
| Executive Committee Members: | |
|---|---|
| Phillip Kingma | Rutherford |
| Brian Coull | Suzuki |
| Clinton Lambert | Honda Marine |
| Gabor Nemeth | Evinrude/Bombadier |
| Ken Brown | Nuwave Marine |
| Leon Odendaal | Motor King & Marine |