28/12/2022
WHERE TO FROM HERE?
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF MICKEY INK MARINE
Greetings all!
I hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas/ Festive Season!
What a year it has been – where did it go so quickly?!
A number of new milestones this year.
2022 saw Mickey Ink travel the furthest North, so far, to the Torres Straits for an install – what a magical part of the world!!!!! Followed more recently by the furthest distance travelled by car (some 4000km round trip) to idyllic Tin Can Bay to do the same – equally as special/ memorable!!! A Mickey Ink custom decal kit made its way the furthest around the globe to be installed in Greece, only to be superseded a couple of months later by another set of DIY custom decals to travel further and be installed in Holland!!!
Boat wraps are becoming exceedingly more popular and timber look transoms (and toe rails) are definitely in demand! It has been forever since I have had a chance to add photos of what I have been doing, so I will try and update this over the coming weeks……..
Casting my gaze forward to 2023 and the future of Mickey Ink:
With the Cairns Navy Marine Precinct development surging ahead in leaps and bounds and encompassing the entire Cairns marine industrial foreshore, the future of all related (especially small) business appears to be in doubt. With Commercial and Recreational haulout facilities, hardstand and storage, not being accounted for in the development – it is time to take Mickey Ink in a different direction and leave Tingira street after 13 years
A Qasi Gap Year is in order – and long overdue!
After 19 years and 3000+ boats, this will entail a complete overhaul/ restructure of Mickey Ink and the way the business will operate. Modifications will include: a digital shopfront, mobile service, limited bookings (essential) and/ or advanced notice (imperative) and timelines in order to design/ produce and complete jobs in full, strictly adhered to and no longer compromised
On a personal note: next year will be a chance to travel, do more work on the waterfront apartment (my floating boat/ home) and pursue my greatest passion: being on the water – more! Plans are to complete the racing yacht and once again return to sailing: the racing circuit, deliveries, and just getting out there to enjoy this amazing part of our world every chance I get!!!!! A part of my life that has been distinctly lacking/ ignored in the last couple of years, thus returning it to the highest priority it rightly deserves. I also hope to expand my knowledge and skills continuing with deckhand / tug boat work with the possibility of pursuing my Master 5 should the opportunity arise
On behalf of Kia and I, we thank everyone for their custom and support this year and wish you all the best for the New Year!
Hope to see you out on the water!!!
Kind Regards Mickey Ink
