Quitting While He's Ahead

Newcastle Herald

Friday September 19, 2008

Mark Rothfield

HAVING clawed his way to the top of Riviera Marine in a successful and satisfying 26-year career, Medowie boy Wes Moxey has returned to the meadows.

The 48-year-old, who amassed a personal fortune as a property investor and the CEO of Australia's biggest boatbuilder, shocked his boating industry colleagues by prematurely pulling the pin recently.

His decision came in the wake of the Riviera 70 Enclosed Flybridge launch, which Moxey regarded as his pinnacle and coup de grace.

Staff at Riviera built a scale model of the $5 million cruiser as his parting gift, and even at a fraction of the cost of the real thing it's something money can't buy the model takes pride of place on the mantelpiece of Moxey's Gold Coast home.

After leaving Medowie, Moxey landed a job as a shipwright on the Riviera factory floor at Mona Vale. Business acumen he learnt the hard way employing values his parents had instilled in him.

Despite the parlous state of the international market, Moxey could not have parted company on a higher note.

"I held back initially on bringing the 70 to the market because I didn't feel the company was ready or mature enough," he said.

"Now, when I look at that product, I'm extremely proud of it. In the world of 70-foot convertibles it sits in the top echelon."

Contrary to rumours, his decision to retire rather than enjoy the ride was spurred by family considerations.

"It was a heartfelt decision to leave the brand, the people and the product that I love," Wes said. "But I have two boys, aged 12 and eight. I didn't want to be a rich dad with bad kids. You can't buy their love and loyalty.

"I grew up on a dairy farm so I want my kids to go back to basics, not Surfers Paradise and the nightclub scene."

Giving young apprentices a helping hand was perhaps the former CEO's greatest legacy. Under his leadership the company won national employment and training awards.

And while building the marque into a household name, Wes instilled a belief in his workforce that Australians can truly compete on the international stage.

"I'll always be the number one cheerleader for Riviera," Moxey said. Besides that he has no future plans other than to recharge and admire his model.

Safety blitz

JUST when you thought it was safe to go back on the water without adequate lifejackets, NSW Maritime has been conducting a compliance blitz.

More than 270 boats were checked on Hunter and inland waters, along with 159 on the Hawkesbury/Broken Bay and 189 on northern waterways during a month-long statewide safety campaign.

Results showed that non-compliance with lifejacket requirements was the most common offence by NSW boaters. In total, 69 penalty notices or fines were issued, along with 74 written warnings.

"Boating officers conducted three times the number of checks in this campaign when compared with a similar effort 12 months ago," recreational boating general manager Brett Moore said.

"Overall, 90 per cent of boaters were found to comply with boating safety requirements, which represents a small, though encouraging, 4 per cent improvement on last year.

"Lifejacket compliance remains a concern, with more than 17 per cent of all infringements being attributed to failure to meet lifejacket requirements.

"Basically, a lifejacket must be on board for every person and must be in serviceable condition and handy, ready for use at any time."

It's compulsory to wear lifejackets when crossing ocean bars or when riding a jet ski. Children and poor swimmers are advised to wear them at all times, as are folks who go boating alone or at night.

Alarming waste

THAT old 121.5 mHz analogue EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) may be nothing more than a glamorous paperweight now that the new 406 mHz digital distress beacons are in, but don't just chuck them in the bin.

Not only are rescue resources being wasted following up false alarms from EPIRBs that were incorrectly disposed of, the battery and components will take years to break down in landfill.

Accordingly, Battery World has joined forces with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority to provide a free EPIRB recycling service.

It will disable the unit, dispose of it safely, and recycle the battery.

"We have heard about so many cases where irresponsible boat owners have thrown their old beacons out in the rubbish and when they go flat the beacons go off and spark a land, sea or air search," Battery World spokesman Rob Jarrett said.

You can drop them in for free at Battery World Toronto (131 760).

mark@newcastleyachting.com.au

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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