OCC takes to the stage in Japan
by Daria Blackwell 16 Apr 2023 08:00 UTC
Kirk Patterson at the boat show in Yokohama © Kirk Patterson
OCC Port Officer Kirk Patterson features the Ocean Cruising Club in his exhibit area at the boat show March 23-26, 2023 in Yokohama
Kirk Patterson, of Konpira Consulting, is looking to expand the concept of cruising in Japanese waters. His company took exhibit space at the Japan International Boat Show that took place in Yokohama in March of this year. The OCC was featured in the exhibit area alongside Kirk's consulting company and Hydrovane Wind Vanes which he represents in Japan.
Kirk said his company's presence at the boat show was a big success and there was a great deal of interest in the OCC, "I did receive questions from quite a few curious passers-by, asking about OCC and its mission. It was a bit hard for people to understand because it's not a club linked to a specific location (marina), as is standard in Japan, but they were impressed to hear about its concept and global reach."
Kirk was contacted by a Danish resident of Japan (his boat is in Spain) who saw his Facebook post about the OCC and said he would apply. Quite a few people were intrigued about the idea of participating in the OCC 70th Anniversary event in May 2024, especially as it will be the midway stop of the planned Japan Yacht Rally and the starting point for the Setouchi International Yacht Rally. So that will be another opportunity to promote the OCC.
Kirk, with input from the OCC marketing team, created the poster and flyers in Japanese for interested parties to take away. As the Japanese representative for Hydrovane, every time Kirk is contacted by a Japanese sailor with offshore aspirations, regardless of whether or not they buy a Hydrovane, he promotes the OCC and sends them the OCC leaflet and application form.
The collaboration between the OCC and companies that support offshore sailing has been a very helpful association at other boat shows, namely Southampton and Annapolis. The OCC is very pleased to have partners who are mutually supportive of distance sailing.
This article has been provided by the courtesy of Ocean Cruising Club.