Preparation is now well underway at Barclays for exhibiting at the Southampton Boat Show. 'Preparations are well under way for the Southampton Boat Show,' said James Crew, senior marine manager.

In addition to dealing with visitors at Barclays’ stand F020, the sales team will spend much of its time supporting builders, dealers and brokers which are responsible for up to 50% of Barclays' lending through referrals and recommendations.

During the course of the show, underwriters will be on hand to give visitors rapid decisions on applications for finance. In the majority of cases an ‘offer in principle’ can be given. This positive action will be seen as a useful tool for customers to enable them to take up boat show offers and short term deals.

Barclays Marine Finance is now a well established leader within the large yacht and superyacht market, the company is an established member of Superyacht UK and the Hamble team can lend up to £10m or the equivalent amount in many foreign currencies – amounts above £10m are referred to Barclays Superyacht and Jet Team.

Due to the strength of the Barclays global brand and reputation, the marine team make fairly regular trips overseas, including the USA, to discuss lending on a one to one basis with customers, provided the potential value of the boat justifies this.

Marine manager Christine Chadwick will be working on the Barclays stand, F-020, then following the end of the show will be undertaking a major charity cycle ride across the USA from the Pacific west coast to the Atlantic east coast starting from 28th September from San Diego to St Augustine, 3250 miles coast to coast USA, it is expected to take her and nine other Barclays colleagues about seven weeks to complete.

The inspiration for the cycle ride is Jane Tomlinson - a breast cancer survivor of 10 years, who has recently completed a ride across the USA. The Barclays volunteers will be re-tracing Jane’s ‘bike tracks’ , although most of whom, Christine included, are completely new to long distance cycling!

Consequently, marine manager, Julie Foissy, has been recruited to strengthen boat builder, dealer and broker relations on the French Riviera and the Mediterranean coastline. Julie is a citizen of France and will be based at Barclays Monaco office, reporting directly to James Crew, senior marine manager, at the Hamble Point Marina head office.

Robert Chapman has been brought in as operations manager based at Barclays processing centre at Wavertree, Liverpool, with responsibility for handling the processing of completed applications through to final pay-out of funds and the registration of new yachts.
Barclays Marine Finance

Cheers Insurance specialist marine knowledge
Cheers Insurance is an independent marine insurance brokers and is not tied to any one insurance company.

Established since 1959, the company will advise when comparing underwriters’ rates and terms and assist in the event of an insurance claim.

With its specialist marine insurance knowledge Cheers provides cover for boat builders, yards, engineers, brokers, marinas, boat clubs, consultants, surveyors, cargo risks, pleasure-craft, commercial craft and houseboats. The company’s pleasure-craft insurance includes scheme rates for Contessa, Moody and Sigma classes and for cruising in the UK, Mediterranean and beyond.

Cheers Insurance covers buildings, public and employer’s liability, professional indemnity, marine liabilities and any other associated risks. The company is committed to proactive service to all our clients and will review your insurance each year at renewal, to ensure you receive the most competitive terms appropriate to your needs.
Cheers Insurance

GH Insurance Services Ltd specialise in marine trades and yacht insurance
Products Liability insurance protects from third party claims for accidental injury or damage caused by a product supplied.

So, for example, if a company supplies a fridge used on board a boat, and this catches fire due to a fault causing damage, or if a boat fitting fails and causes injury then Products Liability insurance would respond.

From chandler to sail-maker, from cushion maker to boat builder, look very closely at your commercial insurance policy to make sure that you have Products Liability that responds for use on watercraft – the majority of ‘off the peg products’ issued by the banks and other facilities may not.

Even if a company only sells a product and does not actually manufacture it, in the first instance, the claim will come to this company and if its insurer excludes claims on watercraft, it will be up to the company to pursue the manufacturer. This may be tricky if the manufacturer is in a different country. What is required is a marine trades package that is designed specifically with this in mind.

Topsail Insurance from GH Insurance Services Ltd., who is an independent insurance brokers specialising in marine trades and yacht insurance (see advert), has access to an exciting new marine package from Navigators and General which provides a comprehensive marine trades policy including marine products liability. All commercial marine trades will be considered including retail, marinas, yards and boat-builders and the policy can include buildings, stock, contents, loss of profit and liabilities.
GH Insurance Services Ltd

Haven Knox-Johnston offers unique marine insurance
Haven Knox-Johnston has been specialising in the insurance of marine trade clients for the past 15 years.

The company’s vision is simply; to offer excellent services at competitive prices, to offer clear policy wordings that pay claims when the clients expects them to be paid and to make the whole process easy for the client.

To this end the company forego proposal forms, it is possible for clients to arrange cover in one short phone call and not have the hassle of form filling thereafter. Policy documents are available to show to marinas or launch sites in the time it takes for postal delivery.

Through a dedicated customer service team backed by in-house underwriters, callers have access to decision makers to get the answers they need.

Haven supports the view that it is prudent to get a survey when buying a second-hand boat. However, with limited exceptions, if you have a coastal boat, Haven only asks for a survey if it is over 25 years of age. Craft used on inland waters only, have this extended to 30 years. The company only asks for an initial survey, not regular, costly updates.

Haven reviews policy wordings regularly and will do so again this year. Each time they become clearer and we have frequent commendations from customers about our claims handling saying our service is speedy, efficient and equitable.

As well as benefits to the client, the company offers peace of mind to many marinas, yacht brokers and other associated marine trades. Haven can introduce its clients to a company with a strong name and strong financial backing. Its parent company, Amlin, has excellent financial ratings from top ratings agencies meaning clients’ money is safe.
Haven Knox-Johnston

Lombard Marine Finance increases international profile
Lombard Marine Finance anticipates a busy Southampton Boat Show on the back of customer research from The Royal Bank of Scotland marking the company as the preferred specialist marine finance lender.

Head of marine finance Ian Braham says: ‘Figures reveal an increase of 36% in the value of applications in the first six months of 2007, which mirrors the 61% increase in business between 2005 and 2006.’

Additional to its core market, Lombard has continued to develop its superyacht market presence.

The company says its range of marine finance facilities are the most extensive in the market place and this has helped Lombard continue to increase its market share.

Braham commented: ‘Our facilities range from one to 15 years, and include fixed monthly payments or seasonal payments to match customers’ cash flow. We are also able to provide Euro and US Dollar denominated mortgages.'

The company recently increased its profile internationally when it announced the sponsorship of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s Open 60, which has been renamed ‘Lombard Marine Finance’. The boat will be on show at Southampton during the final four days of the show.
Lombard Marine Finance

Mardon Marine makes more time for customers
Mardon Marine is one of the UK’s largest leisure craft and marine insurance specialists, and has improved its service by extending opening hours to suit the convenience of its customers and also re-launched its website for 24-hour access to instant quotes.

From now until September, Mardon Marine will be open for business from 9am until 8pm Monday to Friday, and from 9am – 12pm on Saturdays.

The company website also offers immediate cover for motorboats, sailing boats, personal watercraft, canoes, sailboards, narrow boats, canal boats and multihulls. There’s no need for customers to fill out a lengthy proposal form and cover starts the minute online confirmation has been received. Mardon will then post the policy documents to the customer for their records.

Mardon Marine also offers up to 25% no-claims bonus as well as discounts for relevant RYA, BWSF and BCU qualifications. Mardon Marine is part of Towergate Underwriting Group Ltd, Europe’s largest independently owned insurance intermediary.
Mardon Marine

Navigators & General launches new specialist marine trade product
Navigators & General (N&G) has launched a new Commercial Marine Combined insurance product, offering a tailored one stop solution targeted at the specialist £2.8bn UK marine trade.

The new product provides cover for most aspects of marine and non-marine insurance under one policy, with a common renewal date and single point of contact.

Targeted at marinas, boatyards, boat builders, repairers, sailing schools and clubs, the policy has been developed jointly by N&G and Zurich Commercial.

Our new Marine Combined Policy will, depending on meeting the appropriate conditions, cover:

• Up to £5,000,000 Public and products liability

• Up to £10,000,000 Employers liability

• Buildings and contents

• Business interruption

• Pontoons, jetties and work boats

• Boat stock and boat building

• Yacht club vessels and sailing school fleets

• Trip boats or hire fleets

N&G will use the existing UK network of Zurich Commercial surveyors to carry out risk assessment surveys and, where appropriate, provide free risk management advice.

We have also simplified the policy wordings and quotation requirements in order to offer a more straightforward way of arranging cover. Where some companies require lengthy and complex proposal forms to be completed, we will use a 'statement of fact', helping to reduce unnecessary work for the customer and broker.

‘Navigators & General has been discussing the development of a combined commercial product with both insurance brokers and the marine trade operators for some time,’ said Richard Coleman, head of N&G. ‘Responding to their changing needs, we have developed, with our colleagues at Zurich Commercial, what we consider to be a market-leading product that provides customers with a seamless proposition for both their marine insurance requirements as well as their specialist business needs.’

N&G are members of the British Marine Federation and providers of commercial marine insurance for over 80 years.
Navigators and General

Prism Corporate Broking helps people to buy and sell businesses
Prism Corporate Broking Ltd is a corporate finance boutique that helps people to buy and sell their businesses.

The company does not just match buyers and sellers but also provides advice at all stages to review your options and help to identify the right route to follow.

Prism also assists throughout the whole process, whether grooming the business for sale or negotiating the deal, ensuring that it meets your aspirations.

The company has experience in the Marine Leisure sector and is looking to further increase its presence in the industry. Managing director, Peter Watson, is a chartered accountant and member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. He has also run and sold his own business so he knows what it feels like as an owner manager. Peter is a keen sailor and took part in last year’s double-handed round Britain and Ireland race, coming third in class.

Prism has recently conducted research into mergers and acquisitions in the leisure marine market – please contact the company if you would like to receive a copy of the report when it is published.
Prism Corporate Broking Ltd

ShoreGuard warranty proves a big hit with brokers
Since the launch of its Assistance, Recovery & Engine Warranty Programme, ShoreGuard has reported an excellent response from UK boat dealers and brokers who have registered for the programme to offer comprehensive cover to customers purchasing new or used boats.

Underwritten by AXA Insurance, the ShoreGuard warranty provides added peace of mind for boat owners once their initial manufacturers warranty has expired.

Warranty cover is available for boats up to 12 years old or 750 hours usage, protecting against mechanical failure of the engine and associated equipment.

It is therefore an ideal safeguard for secondhand boats purchased through a broker.

In addition the warranty also covers against failure of many other key operational components associated with the power train, such as the transmission, cooling system, and electrics.

ShoreGuard also provides a 24/7 Breakdown Assistance and Recovery programme, available for boats of any age. Marine companies which have already joined forces with ShoreGuard include Boat Quays, Boat Showrooms and Essex Boatyards.

'We have had a fantastic response from dealers and brokers who recognize the benefits of offering our warranty and assistance programme to customers,' said Nick Hamilton, managing director of ShoreGuard. 'We believe that our warranty undoubtedly enhances the value of both new and used boat packages and the protection it offers makes it an invaluable product to offer customers.'
ShoreGuard