When word spread of Brian Edward Collings’ sudden passing this week, it touched every corner of New Zealand’s boating community. As Co-Director of AMF Boats and founder of Rivercity Marine, Brian was more than a builder of fine aluminium craft — he was a craftsman in the truest sense, a man whose quiet determination and pride helped define one of the country’s most respected marine brands.
Born and raised in Whanganui, Brian’s connection to the water began early. He spent his boyhood paddling and fishing on the Whanganui River, towing a kayak behind his push bike to reach new spots. That curiosity evolved into a lifetime’s calling. His working life began as an electrician and industrial sewing-machine serviceman before boats became his profession.
In 1981 he founded Rivercity Marine in Putiki, selling and servicing boats and outboards. When competition in the 1980s became fierce, he realised that to survive he needed a brand that would attract buyers from beyond Whanganui. That vision led to a partnership with local boatbuilder Paul Sharratt, who had established the AMF Boat Company in Tauranga.
After a friendly challenge from Sharratt to “put his own money where his mouth is,” Brian commissioned a design to his own specifications — the beginning of the AMF Pro Sport range. It was an instant success, and in 1995 he began producing AMF boats from his Whanganui factory, selling across New Zealand and into Australia.
In October 2007, Brian purchased AMF Boat Company with the intention of growing the AMF name. Alongside Sharratt, he drove innovation and research that would see more than 300 AMF boats launched, known for their strength, safety, and seakeeping. A record year saw 44 boats built by a five-person team — an extraordinary achievement for a regional workshop.
One of Brian’s proudest moments came in 2009–10, when AMF delivered five rescue boats to the Abu Dhabi Coastguard in a $5.5 million contract — secured after the UAE delegation “googled AMF and found it stood among the best in the world.” Those boats operated through the extreme Gulf heat without a single warranty claim, a testament to AMF’s build quality and Brian’s integrity.
Throughout that journey, Brian worked side by side with his wife Jodi Collings, who shared ownership and leadership of AMF Boats. Jodi has been part of the company since its founding in 1984, originally working with her father Paul Sharratt on the shop floor before taking charge of administration, pricing, and sales. Together, Brian and Jodi built AMF Rivercity Marine into a world-class boatbuilder whose reputation rests on honesty, teamwork, and enduring quality.
Colleagues remember Brian as a perfectionist and a mentor — practical, direct, but always generous with his time and knowledge. He believed that good boats came from good people, and he fostered a close-knit team who shared his pride in the craft.
Brian’s legacy lives on in the hundreds of AMF boats now serving Coastguard units and private owners across New Zealand and the world. Built with precision, honesty, and pride, they reflect the man behind them — a Kiwi craftsman who believed in doing the job right.
A service celebrating Brian’s life will be held Monday 10 November at 11 am at the Whanganui War Memorial Centre, with live-streaming by Dempsey and Forrest Funeral Home.
