This years Seawork International Exhibition in Southampton proved once again to be a huge success. With a great turnout, great weather and several company firsts this year, only time will tell exactly how successful the event was.
Teaming up for the first time with Alicat owned South Boats IOW, the show started with the early morning arrival of Alicat built Dalby Aire and the South Boats IOW built Seacat Defender. Travelling the short distance across the Solent from Cowes, South Boats Isle of Wight base, the boats were gleaming having been prepared to impress.
Inside the main exhibition hall things also had an unfamiliar look as for the first time Alicat and South Boats shared a stand, which had been beautifully redesigned to compliment both companies range of vessels, design capabilities, construction and repair services.
Once the doors opened there was no holding back a flood of customers keen to see this years latest designs and very soon the pontoon filled up. As usual, the vessels took centre stage and proved extremely popular with potential customers and boat enthusiasts alike.
The highlight of this years show had to be two vessel hand overs on successive days. Tuesday saw the beautiful silver, white and blue 24m Seacat Defender handed over to Ian Baylis Seacat Services, while Wednesday saw Alicats turn to take the spotlight with the familiar red and white 22m WFSV Dalby Aire, which was handed over to Stuart McNivens Dalby Offshore and was officially christened by eldest daughter Charlotte.
Over the duration of the three day event several key client relationships were established and both companies are confident that these will lead to new vessel orders and indeed new designs. In addition to potential vessel orders, Alicat saw a fantastic amount of enquiries for its repair services, in particular its marine electrical division and the 200T vessel lift.
Next years Seawork International 2014 event runs from 10th to 12th June, Canary Islands Fruit Terminal, Southampton.
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Press release, July 4, 2013; Image: Alicat