Marina World

SUPERDOCKS ™

SF Marina is a world-renowned expert on developing new or existing premium marinas. We provide state-of-the-art ﬂoating breakwaters and concrete pontoons to anyone anywhere who plans on building a marina with superyacht berths. And who wants it to still be there after the storm.

Porto Habacoa, Bahamas; catering for superyachts in southern Italy; the rebuilt Town of Palm Beach Marina, Florida, USA; Marina Club, Gibraltar; superyacht focus in UAE; superyacht awards for Coral Sea Marina, Australia

Hagadone Marine Group opens Quick Launch Dry Stack in Coeur d’Alene; the first drystack in the US state of Idaho

Prickly Bay Waterside – a marina, hotel and residential resort opportunity on the Caribbean island of Grenada

Kemah Boardwalk marina in Kemah, Texas sits within a highly popular theme park in a town that has the third largest concentration of recreational boats in the USA. Marina manager, Brad Grace, talks

Dockside project planned for Port Vincent marina in South Australia

On the cover: Plans to develop Porto Habacoa, a luxury superyacht-focused marina on the southern tip of the island of Abaco in the Bahamas are at the final design stage. As the CGI shows, several different types of residential options are included in the plan, which has been developed with sustainability uppermost in mind. Read

on p. 21

HEAD OFFICE MAILING ADDRESS & SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES

Loud & Clear Publishing Ltd,

School Farm, School Road, Terrington St. John, Cambridgeshire PE14 7SJ, UK

Editor

Carol Fulford

T: +44 (0) 1945 881018

E: carolfulford@marinaworld.co.uk

Advertisement/Commercial Director

Julia Hallam

T: +44 (0) 1621 855 890

E: juliahallam@marinaworld.co.uk

Administration Manager

Corinna Francis T: +44 (0) 1621 855 890

E: corinnafrancis@marinaworld.co.uk

Finance Manager

Magdalena Charman T: +44 (0) 1403 733678

E: accounts@marinaworld.co.uk

Advertisement Production

Charlotte Niemiec T: +44 (0) 7446 056473

E: adstudio@marinaworld.co.uk

NORTH AMERICAN OFFICE

Sales Director Americas

Philippe Critot

PO Box 29759, Los Angeles, CA 90029-0759, USA

T: +1 323 660 5459 F: +1 323 660 6030

E: pcritot@marinaworld.com

FRENCH OFFICE

Publisher’s Representative Catherine Métais T: +33 6 60 17 75 81

E: catherinemetais@marinaworld.com

ITALIAN OFFICE

Advertisement Representative Ediconsult Internazionale srl

piazza Fontane Marose 3, 16123 Genoa, Italy

T: +39 010 583 684 F: +39 010 566 578

E: genova@ediconsult.com

ASIA PACIFIC OFFICE

Publisher’s Representative Suzanna Kovacevic

T: +61 438 22 46 09

E: suzanna@marinaworld.com

Marina World (ISSN 1471-5856) is published bimonthly by Loud & Clear Publishing Ltd, School Farm, School Road, Terrington St. John, Cambridgeshire PE14 7SJ, United Kingdom.

The 2022 US annual subscription price is $160. Airfreight and mailing in the USA by agent named WN Shipping USA, 156-15 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA.

Periodicals postage paid in Jamaica NY 11434. US Postmaster: Please send address changes to MARINA WORLD, WN Shipping USA, 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA.

Subscription records are maintained at Loud & Clear Publishing Ltd, School Farm, School Road, Terrington St. John, Cambridgeshire PE14 7SJ, United Kingdom.

Air Business Ltd is acting as our mailing agent.

Marina World is available on subscription at the following cost:

1 year (6 issues) – £80.00 Sterling ($160)

2 years (12 issues) – £140.00 Sterling ($280)

No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior permission of Loud & Clear Publishing Ltd, the copyright owners. Upon application, permission may be freely granted to copy abstracts of articles on condition that a full reference to the source is given.

Printed in the UK by Stephens & George

Views expressed by individual contributors in this issue are not necessarily those of Loud & Clear Publishing Ltd. Equally, the inclusion of advertisements in this magazine does not constitute endorsement of the companies, products and services concerned by Loud & Clear Publishing Ltd. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising.

Bold new moves

It’s innovation time. This final issue for 2022 highlights notable new developments around the world that underscore the ongoing quest for better designs, new concepts and more sustainable offerings.

Our cover shot reveals just a slice of the exciting plans for the all-new Porto Habacoa marina in the Bahamas that aims to fill a large market gap in North America for superyacht owners. Its first difference is that, although it can cater for a mix of boat sizes, it has been specifically planned for total superyacht occupancy with berth sizes, water depth, manoeuvring space and shoreside amenities all taken into account. Its second is its award-winning, environmental and sustainability credentials, which could set new benchmarks.

Anyone stacking their boat in the Quick Launch Dry Stack in Coeur d’Alene, is using the first drystack facility in the US state of Idaho. Hagadone Marine Group’s brand new club facility is an innovative move that delivers boat storage exactly where it’s needed, creates a new boating hub, and will likely bring millions of much-needed dollars to the local community.

Gibraltar’s Marina Bay and Ocean Village also delivers an innovative solution to superyacht berthing and luxury waterfront living with Marina Club, a centrepiece development on mini piles in the middle of the marina basin. Logistics were very challenging, requiring different types of berthing arrangements and modified pontoon designs. The result gives Gibraltar its first fully-serviced superyacht berths.

Positioning residential homes in the midst of a marina is also a new focus for Port Vincent marina in South Australia. The Dockside project, which claims to offer Australia’s first luxury floating homes, will be delivered using a unique onwater construction method that is swift and efficient. The houses will be virtually maintenance-free and self-sufficient.

Read more on all of these projects, and look out for further innovations if you are visiting the Marina & Yard Pavilion (MYP) at Metstrade, Amsterdam (15th-17th November. Come and meet the Marina World team on stand 5.703 and join us on Wednesday 16th November for Waterfront Drinks.

We hope to see you there!

Carol Fulford Editor

In Fond Memory of Michael (Mike) Barry (1932-2022)

This issue of Marina World is dedicated to Mike Barry, who passed away on 4th October.

Mike was a very familiar face in the industry, enjoying a long career on marine trade publishing titles including Boat World, Sells Marine Market, Boating Business, and the Cruising Association and Local Boating publications.

He was a stalwart at many, many boat shows (where he favoured the Guinness stand as his ‘office’), and at METS, where he expertly ran the Marina World stand for us for many years before retiring.

Thank you, Mike. You were warm and kind, you did us proud, and you will be missed.

We give our heartfelt sympathy to his wife Gill and her family.

The world leader in

mooring solution self-adjusts, accommodating the site provides unrivaled dampening, protecting your marina investment while lowering the maintenance needs. D-MARIN

Did you know?

Test your knowledge.

“Our marina faces frequent major storms damaging our piles and pile guides. Can we reduce our maintenance needs by using

Piles provide a static stop to those large forces, forcing the dock and pile guides to take on the loads hence incurring damage. While they successfully keep the application in place, maintenance cost can be high.

dampens those peak loads, protecting your marina investment long-term while reducing the maintenance needs.

“We have a marina in a reservoir that can see up to 130 ft water level variation making our labor cost high winching all the cables. Can we reduce our labor cost by switching to

cation in position.

“We are no longer allowed to use chain for our swing moorings because it damages the

seabed. The smaller swing radius allows for more moorings in any given area.

Have more questions?

tise. What are you trying to moor? Where are you mooring it, and what are the worst-case scenario conditions it will face?

at no up-front cost to you. Compare your options and choose a mooring method worthy to secure your marina investment. Come

Almarin buys Aister

SPAIN: Floating solutions specialist Almarin has purchased the marina business unit from aluminium structures expert Aister.

Aister has installed over 30,000m (98,400ft) of pontoons in 27 countries over the past 30 years but, most recently, its focus has been on the design and build of high-performance aluminium boats. Selling the marina side of the business was thus a strategic management decision.

Recognised for its high quality marine aids to navigation, Almarin has been developing the pontoon business in Spain in conjunction with its partner Lindley Marinas. Both strengthen their capacity to respond to the market by incorporating the highly qualified Aister

technical staff as well as resources for site work and new facilities in Vigo.

“The knowledge and experience of the Aister team is by far the most important asset we have brought onboard. It makes me very proud that all the staff at the marina unit accepted this new challenge,” said Almarin CEO Aleix San Vicente.

“Our goal is to become the leading player in marina construction in our territory. We have all the ingredients: team, knowledge, product, experience and resources to provide a first-class service.”

Mooring Post

Don’t miss our new digital newsfeed. Sign up for free at www.marinaworld.com

Highlights from October/November:

• USA: Hurricane Ian devastates Fort Myers marinas

• UK: MDL commits to £7 million maintenance spend

• Spain: Marina Port Vell reinforces commitment to sustainability

• USA: Pacific Building Group to rebuild Harbor Island West Marina, San Diego

• Monaco: Award winners - 2022 Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous

• Australia: Gold Anchor awards for Mackay Marina Village

Registration opens for AMI EXPO

USA: Registration is now open for the 2023 AMI Conference & Expo (formerly IMBC). The event will take place 30th January – 1st February at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The conference tracks this year include: building your dream team; leading your team to excellence; marina and boatyard management and operations; and marina design and engineering. The sessions will offer training on hiring top performers and developing industry leaders, the changing trends in boat ownership, property valuations and financial benchmarks, to name just a few. The event begins with pre-conference workshops and a marina design and engineering course.

Motivational speaker and book author Marilyn Sherman will deliver the opening keynote address: Front Row Leadership: How Top Performers

Never Settle for Balcony Seats.

“We are excited to deliver another great event in Daytona Beach in 2023,” said Association of Marina Industries (AMI) chair John Swick. “We had a great experience in Daytona Beach last year and we are looking forward to being back there in January.”

As well as full conference passes, one-day passes and exhibit hall passes are available. AMI members receive a discount. Pre-conference events and the marina and boatyard field trip are offered for additional fees.

Further information and registration, www.marinaassociation.org/ conferenceandexpo

CLEAN WASTEWATER DISPOSAL

PierPump – Trouble-free disposal of waste and bilge water from boats and yachts.

When installing a wastewater management system harbor operators have to make several decisions depending on the location, number of berths and size to find the optimal system.

The Vogelsang PierPump is a customer-oriented high-performance solution, which is easy to operate and allows bilge water or black water to be pumped directly into the sewage system. The integrated rotary lobe pump means that the PierPump is resistant to foreign matter, so that the vacuum extraction process does not come to stop if the wastewater contains foreign matter. Wastewater tanks are vacuum extracted in a very short time, and the voyage can continue.

VOGELSANG � LEADING IN TECHNOLOGY vogelsang.info

Ocean Reef breakwaters complete

AUSTRALIA: Construction is nearly complete on the first stage of the Ocean Reef Marina development in Joondalup, Perth, Western Australia (WA). Both of the new breakwaters are now built at full height and, by mid-August, the northern breakwater had reached its final height.

The next phase of the project includes dredging the marina basin, and landside clearance to provide fill for land reclamation and future earth works. Local contractors WA Limestone and Italia Stone Group, who also built the breakwaters, are now involved in this second step, which is expected to finish early to mid-2023.

When the marina is complete, it will have 550 berths, dry stack for 200 boats, boat ramps and trailer parking. More than 1,000 residential homes are planned in a mix of housing types, along with retail and commercial space and over 5ha (12.4 acres) of community space.

Ocean Reef Marina is a McGowan Labour Government project being delivered by DevelopmentWA in collaboration with the City of Joondalup.

Lands Minister, John Carey, says: “The new Ocean Reef Marina is a landmark project for our State and has reached yet another significant milestone with the commencement of this next phase of works, further laying the groundwork required to create an iconic coastal destination for Perth.”

“Comprehensive and careful planning has taken place to ensure the local environment and fauna are protected while the works are undertaken.”

Joondalup MLA, Emily Hamilton, describes the project as a “terrific step forward” for the city. “Not only will this development become a tourism hotspot with the creation of a world-class marina and WA’s first coastal pool, it will create thousands of new jobs that will be a major injection into the local economy.”

Suntex expands into California market

USA: Suntex Marina Investors has purchased Seaside Boatyard & Marina (formerly known as The Boat Yard – Channel Islands) in Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard, California. It is the company’s first acquisition in coastal California.

Seaside is a 17 acre (7 ha) fullservice facility offering 122 slips for vessels of 30 to 60ft (9 to 18m) and 22 end ties accommodating boats up to 85 feet (26m), as well as a 490-slot dry storage facility. It is Ventura County’s largest recreational vessel yard and is equipped to haul-out vessels up to 75 tonnes, and staffed for painting and finishing, glass fibre and woodwork, engine, mechanical and rigging repairs.

Plans for the property include remodelling the main building, refurbishing and upgrading the facilities and infrastructure, and adding additional lighting to the dry storage area.

“We are excited to gain a quality

coastal product in the highly desirable Oxnard community,” said Mike Warntjes, senior vice president operations Suntex Marinas. “Seaside Boatyard & Marina is the foundation to our future strategy around coastal growth in the southern California market. With our planned improvements, we intend to bring an elevated customer experience for our members.”

Big Challenges, Big Decisions

PORTUGAL: Preparations for the 2023 ICOMIA World Marinas Conference (IWMC), to be hosted by the Portuguese Association of Ports and Marinas (APPR) and held in Vilamoura Marina at the heart of the Algarve, is now well underway. The event, to take place 9th-11th October, will bring together professionals from around the globe.

Under the theme of ‘Big Challenges, Big Decisions’, the conference programme will address issues such as alternative energy, climate change, economic and political stability, and operations.

Highlights will include the keynote, delivered by Correct Craft CEO Bill Yeargin on Day 1; marina visits to Vilamoura, Albufeira and Lagos on Day 2; and a Gala Dinner showcasing local cuisine and culture and hosting the Golden Cleat Award Ceremony.

APPR president, Isolete Correia, is extremely enthusiastic about the conference. “Preparations for this great event are at full speed and we are very excited and looking forward to

NZMOA 2022 Awards

NEW ZEALAND: The New Zealand Marina Operators Association (NZMOA) has recognised the following as the very best marinas and boatyards for 2022:

presenting all participants with a warm Portuguese welcome,” she said.

Udo Kleinitz, ICOMIA general secretary, has high hopes of the event, and the venue. “Portugal has a well-established marina and boating infrastructure and a lot to offer in terms of knowledge and expertise. The beautiful scenery in which IWMC 2023 is set to be held will also add to the attractiveness of the event. The theme of the conference reflects very well some of the main challenges the industry is facing today and will provide a great forum for discussions and actionable takeaways.”

To register your interest to attend, www.worldmarinasconference.com

• Marina of the Year: Westhaven Marina (winner)

Half Moon Bay (highly commended)

• Boatyard of the Year: Whangamata Marina (winner) Gulf Harbour Marina (highly commended)

Philip Wardale, winner of the Outstanding Individual Contribution Award.

• Best Environmental Performance: Westhaven Marina (winner) Whangamata Marina (highly commended)

Three operations were acknowledged in the Outstanding Initiative Award category:

• Marinaquip – voted best supplier

• Westhaven – commended for its digital solution for car park management

• Man Overboard Alarm Systems – commended for addressing an important safety issue

The 2022 Outstanding Individual Contribution Award was presented to Philip Wardale for his tireless and dedicated efforts, not only for the wider industry but for his role in the development and growth of NZMOA.

La Valletta Loano Hammamet Stora Palau

Fiskardo Aqaba Dubai Port Gogek Khiran

Castellammare di Stabia Lefkas Tripoli

Venezia Spalato Maratona Salerno Piskera La

Maddalena Gouvia Muggia Maratea Gedda

Capo d’Orlando Tremezzo Doha Tivat Trani

Lixouri Procida Al Fintas Carrara Brissago

Genova Rodi Dammam Sistiana Locarno

Cagliari Atene Lacco Ameno Palermo

Manfredonia Novi Vinodolski Montecarlo

Viareggio Rab Alassio Farasan

Budva Ravenna Portorose Bari

Villasimius Taranto Biograd Cala di Volpe Trieste

Jesolo Savona Lisbona Portovenere Novigrad

Bisceglie Aiaccio La Spezia Portoferraio

Lustiça Montecarlo Santa Manza Riva del

Garda Castiglioncello Kastela Al Faw Portoﬁno

S. Margherita Ligure Volme Methoni Livorno

Haquel Napoli Marsaxlokk Jesolo Aci Trezza

Taranto Mgarr S. Teresa di Gallura Grado

Rovigno Chioggia Vibo Valenza Mitilene

Imperia Como Agios Kosmas Monfalcone

Hurricane Ian devastates Fort Myers marinas

USA: The Category 4 storm to be known as Hurricane Ian hit the barrier island of Cayo Costa with 150mph (241 km/h) winds on Wednesday 28th September. It re-strengthened on Thursday 29th to be classified as a full-on hurricane.

With factory facilities in Fort Myers in the thick of the devastation, US dock manufacturer Golden Marine looked to its own, looked to the local community, and then reached out nationwide for assistance. Golden Marine president, Bill Golden, was able to give Marina World on-the-spot feedback.

“We were very fortunate with the factory as we only had minimal damage but every marina in the hurricane zone in Fort Myers except Moss Marine, which we built last year, has been destroyed,” he said. “We have to ask why? There are a lot of lessons to be learned.”

lives tragically lost, and homes and businesses destroyed.

Heavy rainfall causing flooding in

unbelievable,” he noted. “There has been an outpouring of help from our suppliers and customers from all over the country, and enormous proactive support from Governor DeSantis. He has reacted fantastically, fast-tracking multi-million dollar rebuild and repair projects. He is the reason the marine industry here is going to get back to the way it was.”

As many news reports reveal, one of the hardest hit areas were the barrier islands of Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach where severe damage to property was sustained.

Crackerjack rests on top of an SUV in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, which left this Fort Myers marina destroyed.

A first responder from the moment help was viable, Golden Marine was back at work, and dividing time between marina-specific work and general clean-up with a 50 per cent workforce during the week following the storm, and virtually a full team by 11th October, as the USA mourned

Florida – especially in the southwest and central regions – and in South Carolina added to the casualties and further challenged rescue and safety measures.

With urgent assistance required, Bill Golden has been actively fund raising. “The generosity has been

Significant storm surge affected Fort Myers, Port Charlotte and Naples. Images of Fort Myers marinas reveal boats piled up in heaps and docks broken and displaced, and eyewitnesses describe how large boats were simply lifted into the air and sent crashing down at random by the force of the storm.

In Placida, north of Fort Myers, press reports describe a drystack collapse at Palm Harbor Marina and extensive damage at Gasparilla Marina.

On Sunday 25th September, the organisers of IBEX (International Boatbuilders’ Exhibition & Conference) made the difficult but prudent decision to cancel the Tampabased B2B event in the light of the severe weather warnings.

(Story source: October/November Mooring Post)

Resort opens in favoured tourist spot

COSTA RICA: Marina Flamingo, a new 92-slip facility with an associated marina village, has opened in Playa Flamingo, Guanacaste on the northern Pacific coast.

Designed and built by Spanish company Ronautica Marinas, the pontoon system can accommodate vessels up to 40m (125ft). The marina offers every modern amenity and convenience to customers, including high-speed fuelling, in-slip pump-out and fibre optic internet.

The marina village comprises a mix of luxury villas and top-of-therange retail, coffee shops, high-end restaurants and a 24/7 medical clinic.

Marina Flamingo is located in the well-established Flamingo community and is popular with tourists because of its good fishing/ angling waters and pristine sugarwhite beach.

New superyacht haven in Greek isles

GREECE: Marina Porto Heli, a new marina located southwest of Athens in the islands of the Saronic Gulf, is now welcoming yachts up to 55m (180ft). Built within a naturally sheltered bay, it has capacity for 149 vessels.

Construction, undertaken by the floating pontoon department at Ellaktor Group company Tomi, was challenging. This was primarily due to shallow water

near the west and east walkways and the extensive utility ductwork needed to service superyachts. The depth issue was easily overcome with a

300m (980ft) SF Marina concrete dock system.

The pontoon layout consists of two arms. Both begin in the shallow areas with SF Marina type SF1240 pontoons. With a height of only 1.2m (4ft) and a freeboard of less than 0.6m (2ft), they provide ample space beneath the docks for secure mooring. After angling inwards, SF400 pontoons are used.

On the east side, the arm continues with SF1260 pontoons and SF1240 models used for storage. Each of the two arrays has a pair of interior docks comprising SF STD 2.4 units.

The greater challenge was the extensive network of 30 utility ducts. SF Marina engineers designed large EM boxes and a unique channel at the ends of each pontoon with the ability to cross the network around the centre connectors. Currently, the ductwork system contains 16A-125A electrical, potable water and communication cables, as well as pump-out. Plans are being finalised to include fuel service.

“Once our interior marine department offloaded the pontoon sections with a floating crane, they were easy to install,” said Nikolas Aslanidis, manager of the floating pontoon department at Tomi. “The marina owner is very satisfied with the results and we are already in discussion on a second nearby project at Ermioni Port.”

Jersey marina invests in rebuild

CHANNEL ISLANDS: Walcon Marine has completed a comprehensive like-for-like rebuild of St Helier Marina in Jersey. The project retains around 250 berths across seven piers for boats up to 25m (82ft) in length, and alongside visitor berthing.

Main contractor Geomarine undertook work between September 2021 and May 2022, during which

the entire floating infrastructure was removed and replaced. Five of the seven new piers were built using

Walcon’s aluminium System 2000 pontoons and the other two, in a more exposed location, constructed from System 21 steel docks. Walcon also supplied the walkways, finger pontoons and wall columns. Geomarine refurbished and reinstalled the two access bridges.

“It was a pleasure to be working with the Ports of Jersey and local contractor Geomarine once again,” said Walcon managing director James Walters. “We have worked with Geomarine on a number of projects over the years, including the recent works at Albert Dock in St Helier, and the cooperation is always excellent.”

St Helier Marina opened in 1981 and this £3.5 million investment is its first major refurbishment.

Perfect timing to strengthen market presence

At the start of 2022, the owners of globally renowned Finnish marina builder Marinetek Group sold majority shares to leading Nordic private asset expert CapMan Special Situations. Working with co-investors Karri Kaitue (now chairman) and Santeri Suoranta (now CEO), the company has been financially restructured and reshaped and is readier than ever to help the industry meet the highest demand for marina berths it has experienced in decades. Timing could not be more perfect.

The new directors at the helm bring individual strengths to the business.

Kaitue, who sees developing Marinetek as a “truly inspiring opportunity”, has over 30 years’ experience in process industries and financial services and has held several CEO positions in companies with global reach. Suoranta has a background in the aerospace and vertical transportation sectors and brings understanding of demanding technical solutions and global project management expertise to the company. “I have worked a lot with investors, architects, developers and consultants when thinking together how to increase customer value in major projects. I’m sure in this business there are untapped opportunities,” he says.

Q: What attracted you to Marinetek?

A: Kaitue – Marinetek is one of the leading product and service providers with a unique global reach and operates in an interesting and growing business environment. We are convinced that by emphasising

durability, sustainability and superior service we can further develop Marinetek into a true global landmark in floating marina solutions and beyond.

Marinetek has a strong reputation in the market with long experience in designing large scale marinas, but also in handling smaller, special cases –

Built in five phases from 2016 to 2020, Port Vranaza in Šibenik, Croatia is protected by a Marinetek floating breakwater. It has 12 piers totalling 735m (2,410ft) in length, providing 700 berths for local boat owners in a state-of-the-art marina.

sometimes in very difficult conditions, as in the Nordic countries where heavy ice loads place high demands on product quality over time.

Q: As new owners, what immediate changes have you made or plan to make?

A: Kaitue – Consolidation might provide interesting avenues. At the same time, continuous improvement and challenging the self-evident is vitally important.

A: Suoranta – We are strengthening our presence in the market. We’ve just released our new web pages, please check them out!

Q: What is your longer term plan?

A: Suoranta – Marinetek has great history. We have been growing globally in past years. Our next step is to strengthen our presence and in the future expand our offering. Simultaneously, we also want to learn how we can serve our customers better and in a more efficient way.

Q: When marina developers select a marina system what do you think are their main considerations and priorities? How are you addressing these demands?

The marinas at Deera Island, Dubai have 374 berths spread across four marinas. Vessels up to 60m (197ft) can be accommodated.

Phuket Yacht Haven Marina, Thailand welcomes boats of all sizes but is widely regarded as a first port choice for superyachts. In 2015, Marinetek installed a dedicated superyacht pier which provides 800m (2,620ft) of alongside berthing for yachts up to 100m (303ft). The marina is currently being expanded with new Marinetek-built piers.

A: Suoranta – As we’ve just seen in Florida and the Caribbean, extreme weather conditions are a major consideration in certain parts of the world. Our technology and capability to build strong and long-lasting marinas and breakwaters that truly protect marinas are great assets and we have references to back this up.

Another consideration is the superyacht sector as vessels are getting bigger and there are more of them around the world. This creates a demand for marinas that are able to handle the mooring loads of large yachts. Marinetek has invested a lot into product development for heavyduty concrete pontoons and breakwater units that are ideal for building marinas for superyachts and other large vessels.

A: Kaitue – Like any smart investor, marina developers are looking for long-lasting solutions that require low maintenance and therefore offer great value over time. Our marina products not only have a long design lifespan, but also allow for marina reconfiguration if needed over time to adapt to changing needs or growing demand. There is also a sustainability advantage: refurbishing existing marina infrastructure extends the lifespan of the marina with minimal additional load on the environment.

Our experience of working on

The first phase of DB Marina in Taalintehdas at the heart of the beautiful Finnish archipelago was installed in 2020. The marina is exposed to south-east winds and waves, and requires the protection of a Marinetek breakwater.

challenging and large projects in various environments around the world over the past three decades has taught us to adapt and engineer perfect solutions for all projects. With that knowhow and experience, we can certainly meet any marina developer’s needs.

Q: Which particular geographical area is currently performing best for Marinetek? Why do you think this is?

A: Suoranta – We have a strong hold in parts of the Nordic market and also in the Mediterranean. That is partly due to our long presence in these markets but also thanks to our ability to give customers high quality products. Of course, we see great growth pockets in all geographical areas, not only in the markets where we have been present for decades. We believe that all geographical areas have room for growth and we want to be part of that journey with our customers.

Q: Have you any plans to change the existing product line or factory facilities?

A: Suoranta – We have nine production locations and those are geographically spread over a wide area. There are multiple aspects affecting the number and location of these facilities, driven by the thought of how we can serve our customers better. For the time being, we don’t have any big plans on the table but we will keep our eyes open regarding change.

A: Kaitue – We aim to strengthen our role as a solution provider, creating long-lasting partnerships with our clients. We intend to use our knowledge and expertise to enable our customers to meet the increasing demands of their customers, and to excel in promoting sustainability.

Karri Kaitue (left) and Santeri Suoranta are embracing the opportunity to take Marinetek to the next level.

CONOLIFT Upgrade to

Upgrade to CONOLIFT EQUIPMENT!

Towed, self-propelled, and highway trailers

Sling lift trailers and boat hoists

Remote control hydraulic trailer tugs

Galvanized boat storage stands

Simple operation, rugged durability, ﬂexible features

We also supply ﬂoating docks and breakwaters

SUPERYACHT FACILITIES

Seclusion and luxury in the Bahamas

Plans to develop a luxury superyacht-focused marina on the southern tip of the island of Abaco in the Bahamas are in the final design stage, with a grand opening anticipated in 2026. Charlotte Niemiec reports

The exclusive resort community of Porto Habacoa is set to offer the best of both land and sea, from hiking trails that meander through the island’s National Park to marine life comprising multiple species of whales, dolphins and bonefish.

When complete, the marina will offer 136 berths on floating pontoons to accommodate boats ranging in size from 45-220m (148-722ft). Each berth will be configured to handle more than one boat, allowing the marina to accommodate either 372 regular sized boats or 136 superyachts in total, or a mixture of the two.

Mastermind behind the project, developer and CEO Ra’anan BenZur, has spent four years navigating complex regulations and lining up strategic partners to ensure the success of the project. “We’ve now obtained all the government approvals for the project, including getting the certificate of environmental clearance, without which one cannot break ground,” he says. “It was hard to get – it took years and lots of work and study, but we have it. In addition, both the government of the Bahamas and the local community government are very

supportive of our project. So, other than the usual construction-related issues that are always there but are not major, we are in good shape. We expect to finalise detailed planning and design during 2023, start construction in early 2024 and be operational in early 2026.”

When complete, the marina is expected to help fill a large hole for superyacht owners in North America, according to Ben-Zur. “While I’m not an expert, I’ve studied the superyacht industry intensely over the last few years, which is growing significantly both in terms of numbers and sizes.”

But on the US east coast, a lack of marina space for superyachts has reached critical levels, which he

believes is stunting the industry’s growth. “There are no marinas able to handle a 100m [330ft] yacht and very few berths for boats of even 80m [262ft] on the entire east coast,” he explains. “The market desperately needs our marina and could have used five more marinas like ours, but there is simply no space to build them. Environmental regulations make it very hard,” he adds.

Superyacht focus

Ben-Zur is acutely aware that superyachts have very different needs to those of regular sized boats, particularly when it comes to marina size, depth and the facilities on offer. For this reason, Porto Habacoa is designed from the ground up with superyachts in mind. Other marinas in the area are much smaller and, in most cases, not as deep, Ben-Zur explains. They can only service a few superyachts at a time and are limited in size to about 80m (262ft), with very few exceptions that go up to 90m (295ft). These marinas generally have very high occupancy and some reach 100% all year round.

To combat difficulty for large vessels struggling to fit into inadequate berth space, Habacoa Marina will be huge, with 44ha (109 acres) of actual basin. “Theoretically, a 200m [656ft] superyacht could come in and simply reverse into its berth in one simple manoeuvre,” Ben-Zur says. The marina will also have a depth of 8m (26ft) at the entry canal and a 5.5m (18ft) basin, unlike any other Bahamian marina. This will provide important flexibility for yachts as it allows them to come and go at low or high tide. “Additionally, we will have a massive procurement

Above: CGI of the superyacht-focused Porto Habacoa marina.

Right: View from a canalside home with its stunning infinity pool.

SUPERYACHT FACILITIES

centre. A superyacht’s captain, chef or engineer will be able to find all they need from soup to nuts, as they say, or caviar and champagne as better suits superyachts, and all other essentials.”

The marina will seek to differentiate from other marinas in the area by being very crew-friendly, offering full use of all the facilities in the area with a dedicated, free to enter crew club stocked with everything they need. One of the main attractions of this project is that the marina will be private, secluded and exclusive, yet easily accessible by private plane, yacht and also by commercial airlines. “It’s important to note that our marina will also provide customs and immigration services on location. Many marinas in the Bahamas don’t and, as such, an incoming yacht needs to detour to get registered first. Our services will help superyachts avoid this extra time and hassle.”

The marina will provide fuel and pump-out services, not only diesel but also hydrogen “if and when it takes off”, Ben-Zur says. However, “we’re still in the final design stage and we’re considering a number of options when it comes to the manufacturers we choose to use.”

The 200-ha (490-acre) Habacoa marina site will also boast a golf course, casino, water sports, nature hiking trails, horse riding, island or fishing excursions and entertainment venues. It will offer three hotels, ranging from ultra luxury to mid-range, and a wellness facility, as well as a spa, restaurants, residential units, a yacht club, stores, charter offices for fishing, cruising and seaplane tours.

Environment central to the design

Environmental elements are central to the design of the entire complex and the project commits US$10 million to environmental preservation, including US$1million to build a biosecure coral rescue facility and US$2million to fund facility research, preservation and education operations over five years. For his dedication to developing Habacoa with the environment in mind, Ben-Zur was awarded the 2022 International Smart & Sustainable Marina Coup de Coeur award at the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous. When complete, the marina will seek Blue Flag certification to establish it as one of the most environmentally sustainable in the world.

The deliberately low density development will preserve 71ha (175 acres) of native forest, home to the endangered Abaco

Canal homes have spacious plots and far-reaching views.

Parrot. The marina is sited within an existing deep water pocket and will be excavated on land, as opposed to ocean dredging, to minimise disruption to the shoreline and marine resources.

Cliffs of 30m (100ft) are expected to protect the site from rising sea levels for at least 100 years, while construction will be strong enough to withstand a direct hit from the worst hurricane on record, with only minor damage expected. The project will draw on solar power to provide 30 per cent of Habacoa’s energy needs and solar water heating will be used as the project’s primary hot water system.

Habacoa will also be the first development in the Bahamas to use rainwater harvesting as the sole source of potable water for residents and guests, and all irrigation needs will be met with grey water.

Ben-Zur is excited to begin. “As the developer of this project, it is the vision of my life – the best of the best, unique, special. I’ve been looking for something like this for 20 years and, over the last five, I’ve dedicated my all to this project. I’m now on the verge of executing it.”

The ‘Mansion’ element of the residential resort (top right) has direct beach access, and the condo buildings (right) enjoy sea views.

SUPERYACHT FACILITIES

The big boat picture in southern Italy

Southern Italy and the islands of Sardinia and Sicily have a charm and culture all of their own and have long been favoured tourist destinations. But translating this enthusiasm to nautical tourism has been less easy, especially with regard to the largest yachts. Donatella Zucca explores marinas with superyacht facilities.

There are around 780 ports and landings scattered around the Italian coastline offering 160,000 moorings. Most are located in northern Italy and on the Tyrrhenian Sea coast. Only 85 of the 780 can be classified as real marinas, delivering a total of 44,000 full-service berths.

Although Italy is a world leader in the production of large yachts and offers high-level repair and refit, its marinas lack moorings and infrastructure for yachts of 45 to 100m+ (148 to 330ft+). This is especially obvious in the south where, if they exist, they are often under utilised despite the fact that, depending on the season, larger yachts tend to head to the Mediterranean or the Caribbean and Italy is in the heart of the Med.

As in many places, there are disappointing non-starters. Porto di Licata in Sicily, for example, despite being very beautiful, is used only minimally, and by small boats, due to an industrial development plan that never took off. Another example is the

New Port of Crotone in Calabria. With its large water area and considerable water depths, it could accommodate vessels in excess of 200m (660ft) but for various reasons it is little used.

The financial incentive for developing superyacht berths is considerable. “On average, each superyacht visit brings around €11,000 per day to the area and 100m [330ft] of dedicated quayside can generate over €20 million per year,” says Paolo Viola, head of marinas

IGY Marina di Portisco with 41 superyacht berths in its mix, is one of the best marinas in Sardinia.

and waterfront for WIP Architects. WIP Architects has thus devised a project for the recovery of disused or abandoned commercial ports, suitably sized for large yachts and mostly aimed at local authorities, sector operators and administrations able to initiate investment via the National Plan of Recovery and Resilience (PNRR). Infrastructure ripe for mooring yachts of 40 to 100m (131 to 330ft) can be found in Gallipoli and Barletta, for example.

Regardless of ambitious project ideas, the Italian south and its islands show courage and vision – and some definite highlights.

While Marina di Porto Cervo in Costa Smeralda (Sardinia) with its 60 berths for yachts up to 100m (330ft) sits at the pinnacle as a match with St Tropez for glamour, glitz and fame, other southern marinas have made a notable mark. Marina di Portisco, always one of the best Sardinian marinas and now part of the Island Global Yachting (IGY) network, is a prime example. The marina has 589 berths, including 41 for superyachts up to 90m (295ft). It is one of few in the area able to host such large vessels, thanks to its 10m (33ft) water depth, and it has built on this with wide-ranging dining and retail offerings, repair and refit services etc. It has three charging stations for electric cars and marina vehicles, ecological waste collection islands, and – new for the season – the Mercedes-Benz Luxury Hub with fully electric Mercedes EQ cars.

Also in Costa Smeralda is the ecofriendly Cala dei Sardi in the Gulf of Cugnana (next to Marina di Cugnana

Porto Xifonia in Augusta has all the credentials for becoming one of the finest tourist ports in the Mediterranean.

SUPERYACHT FACILITIES

between Porto Rotondo and Portisco). With 140 berths up to 70m (230ft), the well-protected, landscaped marina is a quiet slice of paradise with a special floating swim platform in the marina basin. It has all the hospitality and nautical offerings to be expected from a marina catering to superyachts but is one of the most affordably priced facilities in the region. This is particularly beneficial to catamaran owners who pay just 10 per cent more than a monohull owner for monthly, seasonal and annual berths.

Moving south into the port of Cagliari, Portus Karalis Marina stands alone as the only marina in this area of the island capable of hosting yachts above 90m (295ft). The marina has 118 berths and all essential services and, with its location in the heart of the city and the Mediterranean, it is ideally positioned for stopovers en route to the south of France and Spain. The facility is managed by the Marina di Porto Rotondo Group, owned by the Molinas family that manages various nautical and tourist-based concerns in Sardinia including Marina di Porto Rotondo, Marina di Punta Marana, Marina di Cala Bitta, Bosa Marina, three storage yards, and a five-star and four-star hotel.

In Sicily, the offering for large yachts is more complex and less rich and there is little desire to develop infrastructure further. The best examples are Marina di Riposto (Porto dell’Etna) and Porto Xifonio in Augusta. “The past season ended very well, there was a large influx of boats, ranging from 8m (26ft)

to maxi yacht size,” Marzia Crimi, head of front office at Marina di Riposto told Marina World. “Our central pier can accommodate boats up to a maximum of 75m [246ft] and this summer we had 212 transient yachts (as of 31st August 2022) of 30 to 70m [98 to 230ft], which is more or less equivalent to 25 per cent. We do not have permanent contracts for vessels of 40m [131ft] and above but only for boats of 8 to 20m [26 to 66ft].”

The marina location has strong seafaring links and is in a particularly beautiful area near Taormina, Alcantara Gorges and Mount Etna. With a total of 380 moorings and infrastructure for vessels up to 80m [262ft], the marina also has a shipyard and maintenance shed.

Marina Porto Xifonia in Augusta has all the credentials for becoming one of the finest tourist ports in the Mediterranean. Generously sized and with a large marina basin, it is an ideal starting point for a voyage

Marina d’Arechi has a dedicated superyacht quay for 60 yachts of 32 to 100m (105 to 330ft).

to Malta, Greece, North Africa, the Aeolian and Egadi islands. Augusta itself has important history, nearby Syracuse is famous for its beauty, and the Etna volcano is a permanent tourist draw. The marina can host 245 boats, accommodating vessels up to 60m (197ft). Four 50m (164ft) vessels can be moored up at the same pier. Boatyard facilities are extensive and well-equipped and the superyacht docks have private access and parking spaces. A spa, solarium, gym and swimming pool are located on the breakwater.

If only for its location, it is a must to mention the tourist port of Capri in Marina Grande when thinking of southern Italy. Positioned on the north side of the island in a wonderful natural inlet, Port of Capri has 300 berths and capacity for 60m (197ft) yachts.

Looking across the water and a little east to Salerno, we find the top tourist spots of Amalfi, Positano, Sorrento and Ravello, and Marina d’Arechi, which has an entire quay capable of mooring 60 yachts of 32 to 100m (105 to 330ft).

The marina has 34ha (84 acres) of water space protected by a natural stone breakwater and, with around 1,000 berths, it markets itself as a base for large boats. The marina’s new service company, MDA Yachting & Lifestyle, has given impetus to investment aimed at the superyacht sector. The nearby Salerno (Costa d’Amalfi) airport specialises in private flights and has a new helipad offering shuttle connections to Capri and Ischia, and airports in Rome and Naples. A

A newly opened marina, Stabia Main Port can accept gigayachts (up to 250m/820ft) due to its deep water and generous harbour entrance.

Marina del Gargano in the Gulf of Manfredonia covers an area of 27ha (67 acres) and has 700 berths. Upon request, vessels as long as 60m (197ft) can be accommodated.

recently inaugurated events area and the Sunset Lounge terrace overlooking the Amalfi coast are both popular with customers, and the barbecue area is appreciated by crew.

Marina d’Arechi offers seasonal packages for everyone. Purchase of ‘Twenty’, for example, delivers a berth for 20 years at reduced cost and, as the marina has ‘resort’ status, a reduced VAT rate of 10 per cent is given on short-term moorings.

New to the area is Stabia Main Port Marina. With 9m (29ft 6in) water depths and a harbour entrance over 60m (197ft) wide, it can accept gigayachts up to 250m (820ft) in length. “The 2022 tourist season gave great satisfaction, with large yachts with internationally renowned guests calling in. Vessels over 100m [330ft] have chosen Stabia Main Port as their only landing point in the Mediterranean, and for megayacht services and the local tourism

SUPERYACHT FACILITIES

opportunities,” said marketing and port facilities director Luisa del Sorbo. The marina, which opened six years ago at the centre of Castellammare di Stabia, has resort status.

Further south, the stand-out facility is Marina del Gargano in the Gulf of Manfredonia. Ideal for cruising on to Greece, Montenegro and Croatia, and just steps away from the historic city centre, the marina covers an area of 27ha (67 acres) and has 700 berths.

The mooring plan accommodates boats of 50m (164ft) in length but 60m (197ft) vessels can moor up on request. In addition to a fully-equipped shipyard, there are two commercial areas with bars, restaurants and shops.

“Particular attention is given to the environment,” explained port director Andrea Zullo. “We are equipped with several charging stations for electric vehicles and boats, and have a water recirculation and pump-out system.”

SUPERYACHT FACILITIES

Superyachts welcome at Palm Beach marina

The Town of Palm Beach Marina, the only public marina located on the 18-mile (29km) long barrier island between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, reopened to the public in November 2021 after a $40 million rebuild. Completed on time and under budget, it provides a significant upgrade to the marina facilities in Palm Beach County, Florida, and its first year of operation has been a huge success.

Development of the master plan, which began in January 2017, was approved by the Town Council on 10th April 2018. And, as South Florida is experiencing increasing demand for larger slips, the approval of the project design addressed the growing need to expand the marina to allow access for larger vessels, including superyachts.

Murray Logan Construction was chosen as the general contractor for the project and Bellingham Marine was contracted to undertake the marina portion of the extensive renovation. Working together with the Town’s consulting engineer, Baird, the scope of work included total replacement and redesign of the existing marina, and installation of a hurricane-rated Unifloat concrete floating dock system which was put through its paces with minimal ensuing damage by Hurricane Ian. Steel pipe piling with HDPE sleeves, installation of ADA compliant aluminium gangways and waterside utilities were included.

The marina now comprises 84 slips, ranging from 60 to 294ft (18 to 90m)

divided between three docks: the Brazilian, Australian and Peruvian. An additional 250ft (76m) structure, the Royal Palm Dock, was included in the project to accommodate superyachts through the use of side ties. Before the renovation, the marina was only able to accommodate one 200ft (61m) yacht, but with the completion of the project it has increased this capacity tenfold.

The design of the marina includes numerous features intended specifically for large vessels and superyachts. Bellingham’s Unifloat concrete dock was constructed with 14ft (4.3m) wide main piers, 8 to 12ft (2.4 to 3.6m) extra wide finger piers, and 30in (76cm) freeboard. To better accommodate the draft of larger vessels and superyachts, the slips were designed to have greater width and depth than average slips.

The marina’s electrical system required over five miles of cable to provide new shore power with 480V, 200 amps power as well as 100A single phase and three phase power to the slips, high speed Wi-Fi system, in-slip metering and integrated lighting

The Town of Palm Beach Marina, now with enhanced superyacht berthing, opened last year after a major rebuild. Image: Jacober Creative –courtesy of Town Palm Beach Marina

throughout the gangway handrails.

The marina also comes equipped with an advanced in-slip high-capacity pump-out system that provides an exceptionally functional yet aesthetically pleasing final product. The marina offers complimentary cart and porter concierge services, gated docks with access control, shower and lounge facilities, and a brand-new marina office and restroom/shower facilities.

“The Town of Palm Beach Marina surpassed expectations in its first season of operation and the staff is excited to welcome both new and returning customers. Anchored in the heart of midtown, the marina location is ideal for those who are looking for the ultimate Palm Beach experience,” said Carolyn Stone, assistant town manager.

One of the major draws of the former Town Docks is its proximity to the worldfamous Palm Beach area’s amenities as it is within walking distance of the well-known Worth Avenue renowned shops and restaurants. Slip holders are provided with complimentary use of the 18-hole Par 3 Golf Course and its clubhouse located on the scenic waterfront. The marina experience is further enhanced for its guests through complimentary access to the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center’s health and wellness facilities and the town’s multiple pristine tennis courts.

The Town of Palm Beach committed to providing increased access to the amenities demanded by the evergrowing market for facilities that can accommodate larger vessels and superyachts, and to transforming the Town of Palm Beach Marina into a world-class destination for captains, crews and guests alike.

SUPERYACHT FACILITIES

Gibraltar superyacht berths near completion

New bespoke superyacht berthing facilities are nearing completion at Marina Bay and Ocean Village in Gibraltar. The berths are arranged around the perimeter of the innovative, award-winning Marina Club, which offers over 10,000m² (107,600ft²) of residential space.

Marina Club, a new development of 144 waterfront rental apartments that form the centrepiece of the development, has been constructed over water on mini piles and is accessed via a landscaped pier. The primary challenge for the designers of the superyacht berthing was to coordinate the berthing design within the overall scheme.

Marina Projects of the UK (see article p.55) designed some berths stern-to onto piled anchorages surrounding the Club and others stern-to on a new Marinetek floating superyacht pontoon. All have head mooring buoys. The next phase will be the provision of access to the Club spa decks and facilities.

“The building of top-class marina and superyacht facilities in Gibraltar has been a huge team effort and one that I am immensely proud to have been associated with,” said William Bowman, marina director of Ocean Village and Marina Bay Marinas. “This development represents a massive upgrade in all the marina facilities available. Gibraltar has her first fully serviced superyacht berths, and we look forward to welcoming vessels up to 90m [295ft] in length.”

The need for the marina to remain open throughout the build period and

continue to satisfy the requirements of the nearby Gibraltar Airport operators presented obstacles. A mini piling system used throughout the development was chosen to reduce noise and disruption to surrounding stake holders during the build.

Despite the impediments, the existing 270-berth marina has been completely redesigned and rebuilt using a mixture of fixed and floating Marinetek pontoons, selected for quality, long life

CGI of the new superyacht berths surrounding the innovative Marina Club residences.

and stability. The available water space has been used more efficiently, allowing for many more, longer and wider berths, better suited to modern yacht design. The Mediterranean moorings were replaced with modern finger pontoons.

The team of engineers had one unique and tricky problem to resolve: free passage for occasional maintenance to a floating hotel. This resulted in several design solutions being considered. With grouted piles being drilled, in some cases more than 8m (26ft) into the seabed rock, a simple pile extraction was ruled out. The adopted solution was to allow a section of the superyacht pontoon to be removable.

The pile structure designed to handle the mooring loads for the superyacht pontoon is supported by an underwater structure anchored to the seabed at either end. This means that the whole anchoring system for the superyacht pontoon, together with the pontoon it is supporting, can be raised and removed using the tide. In normal operational mode, this smart engineering remains hidden on the seabed.

Gregory Butcher, chairman of the developers, commented: “This whole project has been undertaken using our own teams of staff and engineers and our own marine civils equipment with a busy marina operating throughout. We are now ready for the next project in Gibraltar!”

The new berths are due to be completed by year end and open for business at the start of the 2023 season.

The Marina Club during its development phase.

SUPERYACHT FACILITIES

Abu Dhabi –a new winter oasis

Abu Dhabi is on a journey to becoming a major destination for the global superyacht industry. According to a report entitled New Winter Oasis for Maritime Luxury Experience – Abu Dhabi’s Quest to Become a Global Superyacht Destination, published by Abu Dhabi Maritime, custodian of the emirate’s waterways and part of AD Ports Group, it has achieved a number of important milestones.

The whitepaper, which was released at the Monaco Yacht Show in September, points to the increased sector demand from 5,325 registered superyachts currently on the world’s waterways, divided between 4,492 motor yachts and 833 sailing yachts. Construction of over 150 further superyachts is also set to complete in 2022, representing a total fleet value of more than €4 billion.

After extensive consultation with industry experts, the report identified four key criteria that give Abu Dhabi significant comparative advantages, including: favourable seasonal weather and sea conditions; advanced maritime infrastructure and related services; established legal and regulatory environment; and world-class attractions incorporating social, cultural and entertainment elements.

“We developed this whitepaper to showcase the significant progress that Abu Dhabi has made in recent years in developing its unique offering to superyacht owners and to identify areas where more work is needed in order to achieve our vision,” explained Ammar Al Shaiba, acting CEO of Maritime Cluster, AD Port Group. “The findings demonstrate that the emirate

is becoming a destination of choice among the superyacht elite, with a wide range of services, attractions and climate benefits. Multiple agencies and organisations are working together under the guidance of our wise leadership to achieve this goal.”

Developed from a range of qualitative interviews with international experts conducted in 2021 and 2022, the report examines the factors that attract owners to venture beyond traditional destinations such as Mediterranean ports like Marbella, Capri, Saint Tropez, Antibes and Monaco, and Caribbean ports such as Antigua, St Lucia, the BVI and the Bahamas.

Experts interviewed suggested that the rise in superyacht ownership over the last decade, underpinned by the changing nationality profiles of owners, especially those based in Asia and the Middle East, has encouraged individuals and companies to look beyond these typical destinations. Furthermore, the geostrategic location of Abu Dhabi coupled with its natural abundance of pristine waterways and islands has helped to raise its profile among these new owners.

Sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf, with low winds and calm waters year-

Yas Marina, one of two full-service marinas in Abu Dhabi.

round, along with moderate low season temperatures, mean that vessels do not need to be lifted from the water and stored at great expense, thereby increasing Abu Dhabi’s attractiveness. The report also highlighted the emirate’s extensive leisure, sport, cultural and entertainment offerings, along with its natural beauty.

One of the areas of significant progress, according to the whitepaper, lies in the development of the legal and regulatory framework in support of superyacht owners and crews, many of whom are not full-time residents in the country. The recent launch of comprehensive and fullydigitised safety maps of all waterways, identifying anchorage areas, zones for motorised and non-motorised craft, and speed limits, is also cited as a key improvement.

Abu Dhabi has, furthermore, made significant progress in the development of advanced maritime infrastructure and related superyacht services and has a number of refit yards. It is also home to two full-service superyacht marinas that can host yachts of all sizes and offer a full suite of premier accommodation, services and amenities.

First superyacht repair and refit centre in UAE

Al Seer Marine, MB92 and P&O Marinas have agreed to jointly develop the first dedicated superyacht refit and repair facility in the UAE. The yard will be located in Dubai and is scheduled for completion in 2026. Services will, however, be available in 2023 to kick off a strategic plan.

Hamza Mustafa, COO of P&O Marinas, commented: “The UAE is the ideal location to service the Gulf region’s growing number of superyacht owners. Dubai has developed its reputation over the years as a top destination for luxury yachting with the creation of several high-end marinas. We already look after some of the most exclusive and advanced yachts at Mina Rashid Marina. With the development of a new service centre and refit shipyard, the UAE and Dubai’s offering as a hub for yacht owners will be even more attractive.”

SUPERYACHT FACILITIES

Captains and crew vote Coral Sea Marina ‘best in world’

Coral Sea Marina Resort on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef won ‘World’s Best Superyacht Marina’ 2022 in the recently held ACREW Superyacht Business Awards. Over 15,000 captains and crew around the world cast their votes in the competition.

“When I purchased the marina from the receivers in 2013, my vision was to create the Monaco of the South Pacific,” explained marina owner Paul Darrouzet. “I expected the transformation to take five years. I did not envisage enduring a major natural disaster or a global pandemic but, throughout it all, we have survived and thrived. Coral Sea Marina Resort has been awarded Australia’s Marina of the Year in 2017/2018 and 2019/2020, and we were entered into the Hall of Fame in 2021.”

“Being awarded the World’s Best Superyacht Marina just as we have entered our tenth year of operations is not only the ultimate accolade, it is a vision realised,” he added.

The other international marina finalists in this category were Porto Montenegro, Rhodes Marina, Marina Genova and Limassol Marina.

Arnold Mbiydzengeh, head of B2B sales for ACREW, congratulated Coral Sea Marina Resort: “Winning this award goes to

confirm the hard work of the Coral Sea Marina Resort team towards assisting yachts and yacht crew. Keep up with the good work, the superyacht industry needs more like you.”

As runner-up in the last two ACREW Superyacht Business Awards for Best Superyacht Marina 2021 and Best Superyacht Marina Australia 2020, taking out the ‘World’s Best’ win against such strong international competition is deemed a significant win for the Australian superyacht industry as a whole.

David Good, CEO Superyacht Australia, agrees. “Coral Sea Marina

The superyacht berthing arm at Coral Sea Marina (left) and modern crew facilities (below).

Resort is one of the jewels in the crown of Australia, located at the heart of Australia’s best cruising grounds, the Whitsundays Islands in the Great Barrier Reef. The marina is a destination, with outstanding infrastructure, customer service and attention to detail that is truly at superyacht standard,” he said.

Coral Sea is Queensland’s first 5 Gold Anchor Platinum accredited marina and has facilities for megayachts up to 80m (262ft). Recent marina developments have specifically been focused on the needs of superyacht captains and crew and include significant three-phase power upgrades, in-berth pump-out facilities and a top notch crew lounge with modern gym that overlooks the superyacht berths. In 2021, the marina launched its Platinum Crew Club specifically designed to immerse superyacht crew in the region. Through hosting events and developing an interactive yacht crew community, the Club aims to create strong advocates for yachting in Queensland’s premium island destination.

“The past few years have dealt our business some major losses, which makes this win all the more meaningful,” explained Coral Sea Marina CEO Kate Purdie. “I could not be more proud of the dedicated and passionate team I have the privilege of working with every day and their seamless delivery of transformational guest experiences.”

“As we plan for our tenth-anniversary celebrations, we will most certainly be celebrating not only our outstanding team but also our key partners with whom we share this award. Our mission is to ensure our service is second to none, and we are grateful to our loyal captains and crew for this global recognition of our collective efforts,” she added.

The increase in domestic superyacht charter demand over the last two years has seen unprecedented visits to the marina and an increased requirement for Australia-based superyacht crew. The marina’s on-site crewing and concierge agent, Champion Crewing and Concierge – another ACREW award-winner – successfully caters to this demand.

DRYSTACK STORAGE

Top US boat dealer launches first-in-state drystack

If your marina facilities are at full occupancy and you have a 900-person waiting list, where better to invest than in a drystack? If you are bold and venture forth where no one else has ventured in an entire US state, you have to sell an unfamiliar concept but, if you win through, you add a vibrant new boating facility. With its Quick Launch Dry Stack, Hagadone Marine Group (HMG) has turned all of these ‘ifs’ into a runaway success.

Quick Launch sits at the north end of Lake Coeur d’Alene, a natural dam-controlled lake in North Idaho in the US Pacific northwest. The 25 mile (40km) long lake, which has 109 miles (175km) of shoreline, is a popular summer tourist spot and is served by eight marinas (private and public and varying in size) and boat launches used by the public and several boat rental companies.

Most of the boating activity takes place at the north end, near the town of Coeur d’Alene, and it is here that HMG Group has its various locations: a boat dealership headquarters and service centre on Blackwell Island; and three marinas on Blackwell, Silver Beach and in front of the Coeur d’Alene Resort (Boardwalk Marina).

Racking boats

The Quick Launch Dry Stack opened in April this year as the first drystack facility in Idaho. It is a 60ft (18m) high structure and offers 47,700ft² (4,430m²) of indoor boat storage on a five-level racking system. Around 360 single-

engine boats of 18 to 30ft (5.5 to 9m) can be racked, and these are currently transferred to and from the water using two Wiggins W3.2 forklifts. Thirty-six valet slips are in place for pick-up and drop-off. Customers rent drystack slips annually and this gives them unlimited launches, gated car parking and access to a private clubhouse.

The efficiency of the Wiggins machines ensures that Hagadone can launch a boat in just five minutes and the forklifts are more than up to the task, with Volvo Tier 4 engines, 50ft (15m) lift heights and solid non-marking tyres. “The first two units were delivered in January 2022, and the Hagadone team was so happy with them and the facility was growing so rapidly that they ordered a third truck, which is set to be delivered in May 2023,” Wiggins Lift Company’s Micah McDowell told Marina World. “Our factory technician set the first two machines up back in January, and has been there once since set up to check in and remarked how large, impressive and busy the new facility is.”

Busy it certainly is, with all slips sold out before construction was completed, and it remained as busy as expected during its inaugural season. This is not just a positive result for HMG, as president Craig Brosenne explains: “We’re very excited about the effect Quick Launch will have on the local economy, giving people additional and improved access to not only the lake, but also to the businesses of North Idaho,” he said. “We believe this will bring millions of additional dollars to Coeur d’Alene’s community.”

The $15 million project was supervised by John Barlow, who has completed a great deal of infrastructure for the Hagadone Corporation including the Coeur d’Alene Resort in 1986, and the golf course with its famous floating green in 1992. The design team included Welch Comer Engineering and architect Kol Nelson of BP Design

The HMG team marks the opening of the Quick Launch Dry Stack (top), a facility that HMG president Craig Brosenne (above) believes will bring millions of additional dollars to the community in Coeur d’Alene.

DRYSTACK STORAGE

Works. The general contractor was TW Clark Construction of Spokane.

The complex project took over four years to plan and approve. As it is built on an island, along with the rest of the group’s flagship headquarters, soil and water environmental considerations were paramount and strict protocols were followed every step of the way.

Location, location

Lake Coeur d’Alene is in a beautiful natural location but how important is boating in a landlocked state? And, if the winter bites hard, how long is the season?

According to a study undertaken by Boise State University in 2016, 80,691 households spent a total of $335.3 million on boat related expenses in Idaho in 2015. Boat ownership and usage is concentrated in the most populated of its 44 counties and those that have water. Coeur d’Alene (in Kootenai County) falls in the midst of the top counties in terms of expenditure but, compared to many other Top 100 boat dealers, HMG is in a relatively

remote location, in a small market with a lower-than-average household income. The dealership overcomes this by having a higher market share penetration and constantly finding new and creative ways, like Quick Launch Club, to market to customers.

The vast majority of HMG boat owners have homes in North Idaho or western Washington (residents of the state of Washington comprise the third largest group of boat owners registered in the state). Customers also come from Canada, Montana and central Idaho –and all can enjoy the benefits not only of HMG’s marinas but its wealth of additional boat service and hospitality offerings.

Offering good service is second nature. Hagadone Corporation places great emphasis on ‘Great Guest Moments’, and this hospitality mindset covers every boating customer interaction. “Our people know the art of truly serving,” says Brosenne, and this art dates back to when the group first started out as marina owners and lake cruise operators. Purchasing a

Left & below: Quick Launch Dry Stack, and its clubhouse facilities, were an immediate hit with customers.

dealership in 2004 led to the official formation of HMG as the team set about transforming a mom-and-pop operation selling a few dozen boats a year into a greatly expanded boat dealership, wooden boat building and repair operation, and a substantial offsite boat storage facility.

The dealership – family-owned and overseen by Brad and Todd Hagadone, the sons of Duane Hagadone, founder in 1986 of the Coeur d’Alene Resort luxury waterfront hotel – now owns and operates the largest single-point service centre for small boats in the USA and is a model facility. Many dealerships have multiple stores and chains in different areas but HMG has everything in one package: sales, service, detail, cruise boats, marinas and an on-water bar. The team believes this makes a major difference in the customer experience, from first impressions to a better buying experience and faster service response.

The company continues to increase outdoor storage facilities and can now store 2,500 boats indoors. The 360-boat capacity drystack also stores a further 85 vessels in its aisle space during the winter.

HMG has also turned a major liability – a short term boating season – into a major strength. At a latitude of 48°, Lake Coeur d’Alene has a maximum boating season of 90 days and, during the winter, temperatures can drop well below freezing and remain there for weeks at a time. To ensure yearround success, the dealership has emphasised and built infrastructure for off-season storage and service, and thoroughly marketed these programmes. This was another driver for the Quick Launch Club facility.

Since 1963 Walcon has proven itself to be a worldwide leader in the design, construction and installation of marinas and berthing facilities, with renowned

DRYSTACK STORAGE

One of the two Wiggins forklifts in the process of transferring boats to the 360vessel capacity drystack. A third forklift is on order.

Part of this service is a repair and maintenance offering that is particularly comprehensive. The Hagadone Marine Service Center, which opened in 2017, includes two 16,000ft² (1,500m²) facilities for boat service, glass fibre work, detail and rigging and has 20 roll-up door service bays providing space for up to 40 technicians. There is a 3,600ft² (334m²) wash bay facility and a 40,000lb (18,140kg) stationary crane to handle boats as they come in and go out on tractor-trailers. The parts department has three counters for quick service and a $1 million parts inventory so guests can maximise their time on the water.

Happy customers

The Quick Launch Dry Stack has added completely new and independent infrastructure adjacent to, but apart from, Blackwell Island Marina, which continues to be its own operation. Quick Launch member boaters say they

appreciate the new clubhouse with its café, cocktail bar and take-away food services, as well as its private gated parking area. The valet concierge service has also been a big hit offering delivery of gear directly to the tenant’s boat, both from the tenant’s car as well as from the clubhouse.

The ethos is for quality service, with strong focus on giving customers a worry-free day out on the lake. “It was important that this facility meet the same high standards as the other Hagadone hospitality properties, including the Coeur d’Alene Resort,” Brosenne emphasised.

PROPERTY & INVESTMENT

True spice in the Spice Island

An exciting marina, hotel and residential expansion opportunity in the Caribbean island of Grenada couldn’t come at a more propitious time. Demand for berths currently outweighs supply, and owners and captains are increasingly looking to the island for safe vessel mooring options.

Grenada, ‘The Spice Isle’, lies 145km (90mi) north of Trinidad and Tobago and 257km (160mi) south of Barbados. Less than 80km (50mi) from St Vincent, it provides easy access to the Grenadines – with its fabulous cruising and more than 30 islands to explore.

Most importantly, Prickly Bay, which sits in the south of Grenada at exactly 12° north, is outside the recognised hurricane belt and has always been regarded as a safe anchorage. This benefit has become increasingly recognised in recent years as more yachts seek the safety of Grenada’s waters during the hurricane season, not least to comply with insurance requirements.

Grenada has seen a significant expansion in its capacity for marina berths and facilities. Grenada’s largest marina, Camper and Nicholson’s Port Louis, recently added a further 90 berths at its location in the docks of the capital, St George’s. This growing demand has been matched by an increase in luxury hotels on the island (both existing and planned) with a corresponding growth in the airlift from the Americas and Europe.

Prickly Bay Waterside offers a different and unique marina, hotel and residential resort opportunity. David

Inwards of Inwards Marine is advising the owners and told Marina World how he views this development as one of the most exciting he has seen in his 40 years in the business.

“The first thing that strikes you is the sheer beauty of Prickly Bay, unquestionably in my view the finest setting for a marina, hotel and residential resort in the Caribbean. It’s a deep water bay and faces south/south west with a small, secluded sandy beach and the most wonderful sunsets.”

The existing development sits comfortably in a prime residential area surrounded by upmarket villas – just 20 minutes drive from St George’s, and less than 15 minutes from the airport. Prickly Bay Waterside

The picturesque capital city of St George’s with its beautiful horseshoe-shaped harbour and yacht lagoon.

currently offers 18 luxurious villas and apartments, an Olympic length swimming pool plus several private pools in individual properties, a restaurant, delicatessen, laundry and bar. Outline planning is in place to increase the number of residential properties to 70, together with a boutique hotel. There is an existing small marina with fuel station and mooring field, plus 3.6ha (9 acres) of water rights with planning to expand to 120/140 berths, which makes the whole development a very attractive investment.

“One area I am particularly excited about is the stern-to, Mediterraneanstyle berths for superyachts, family yachts and catamarans right in front of the waterside villas,” Inwards said. “I know purchasers will be very attracted by this rare opportunity to be able to berth right in front of their own home in this wonderful resort on this wonderful island, the size of Jersey, with its 100,000 happy, welcoming inhabitants, 40 white sandy beaches, 30 unforgettable dive sites, 15 breathtaking waterfalls, five chocolate factories, three rum distilleries and the world’s first underwater sculpture park. Heaven could be in Grenada.”

Interested parties should contact David Inwards on david@inwardsmarine.com for further information.

One of several 5-star luxury hotels in Grenada.

www.martinialfredo.it MARTINI ALFREDO S.P.A Via Centro Industriale Europeo, 43 C.P. 1 - 22078 Turate (CO) - Italy Tel +39 02 963941 marinas@martinialfredo.it | marinas.export@martinialfredo.it

Cristina Martini - President and Owner of the Martini Alfredo S.p.A.

Marinas and takeovers –enough room for ‘boating’?

The freedom of the open water. Getting away from it all. Finding peace and solitude. These are all ways to describe boating. And the past two years have shown there are many out there who are looking for that escape.

With escape in mind, the push for the modern marina to be like a resort, catering to the whims of boaters and their friends, can be a bit mystifying and maybe a bit of a misfire. Isn’t the point of boating to get out on the water and not sit dockside at a tiki bar? There must be room left for the boaters that just want to boat, and as marinas are being bought and sold at a rapid-fire pace, the industry needs to pause and consider its customer base, from the solitary fisherman to the sailboat racer to the captain of a megayacht. Just as no two boaters are identical, neither should their homeports be.

An indicator of where the marina industry is today comes from the roaring success that marina management/ownership companies across the globe are having. These companies can offer a true benefit to the industry. Expanding corporations will bring more capital into aging marina infrastructure, will give a larger voice to the marina industry as all that money talks, and, if plans go well, it will introduce the concept of a welltrained and certified management team to lead each facility. But while those plans sound like a positive all around, there are some real risks of adopting a “more is better” mentality.

A marina should be more than just a place to park a boat except to those boaters who don’t want anything more. Do we make them pay the price for the pool, playground, and adjoining campsites that they never intend to use? There are marinas that need to be modernised to meet safety

and environmental guidelines and the plain cleanliness standards where bathrooms are at least a few steps above outhouses. If greater income can make this happen across the board, then more capital is welcome, but somehow that doesn’t seem to be the intent. Visit a site like marinas.com and quickly see that more marinas are expanding to bring in restaurants, retail, lodging, dog parks and fitness centres. Boaters can come down for the weekend and never have to untie the mooring lines.

If we continue down the path to creating chains of marinas with a plethora of amenities that have nothing to do with boating, we risk alienating the old salts or the young families who just want to introduce their kids to the joy of the open water. Modernising and adding do not come without cost. If the aim is too high on building a 5-star marina, there’s a real risk of pricing the average boater right out and proving the assumption of “boating is a hobby for the rich” to be true.

For years the industry has argued that boating is not the elitist sport that so many would have you believe. Most marine industry associations worldwide defend this point vehemently and often support it with their annual statistics on the average income of boaters and the cost of boats. No one wants to see another luxury tax. But if a newly created larger industry voice has the backdrop of boaters lounging at sites that look like exclusive resorts, isn’t that point of boating not being just for the middle class blown out of the water? At many marinas, the vast assortment of extras is

available exclusively for berth holders. Members-only creates a stigma, and the call that boaters are decidedly the working class starts to fall on deaf ears. And perhaps to start lacking in truth.

There are benefits to ownership of several marinas being under one company, but at some point, these conglomerates may become too big—not too big to fail but big enough to fail the very boaters they are hoping to attract. Boaters are not of one mindset, and they need options too. Before marinas sell out to the highest bidders, they should consider what they hope the future of boating to be. Sometimes it’s best when the owner of the company lives right on the property and not halfway across the country.

There are still do-it-yourselfers who don’t mind washing or stocking their boats. Who relish getting their hands dirty doing an oil change or varnishing teak. Who enjoy a marine hardware store eyeballing cleats and fresh-cut lines. These sailors may be old salts whose ways are quite different from millennial and Gen-Z boaters who prefer a bit more catering, but they are who the marina industry has built itself upon until quite recently and their tradition of boating should not be tossed out with the tide.

In the world of marinas, there is room for facilities that cater to every type of boater. Let’s not forget the ones who simply want to start the engine and head out to smell the sea air, feel the sun on their backs, and let the wind whip through their hair, no frills needed.

The above guest comment, whose author remains anonymous, was written for Marina World and delivered by a trusted source. The editor welcomes your feedback –e: carolfulford@marinaworld.co.uk

GREENER, CLEANER MARINA SOLUTIONS

Electric

It’s no secret that the world is steering towards cleaner and greener modes of transport. As world leaders in providing service pedestals and associated products for marina and waterside destinations, and with over 10 years’ experience in the electric vehicle charging industry, Rolec are able to provide a solution to suit your electriﬁcation needs. Enabling you to offer your visitors a seamless charging experience, whether it’s for electric vehicles or electric boats.

TALKING SHOP

Kemah Boardwalk: Gateway to Galveston Bay

The town of Kemah in Texas is home to the third largest concentration of recreational boats in the US and has long been an idyll for generations of boaters looking to escape the state’s summer heat. Charlotte Niemiec invites Brad Grace, marina manager at 400-slip Kemah Boardwalk marina, to talk shop

Kemah Boardwalk is a 60-acre (24ha) theme park situated on the Gulf Coast in Kemah, Texas, around 30 miles (48km) southeast of downtown Houston. Considered among the most impressive boardwalks in the US, the complex is owned and operated by leading hospitality company Landry’s and – in addition to its 400-slip marina – boasts thrilling rides, games, attractions, a boutique hotel, a charter yacht and multiple shops. Originally a small fishing town, Kemah is today a major tourist destination and the ideal location for visitors looking to spend a day on the water boating or fishing, or dining at one of the many fantastic waterfront restaurants. With a history steeped in the legend of pirate

Jean Lafitte in the early 1800s, who developed Galveston as a base for his smuggling operations, local attractions include the Johnson Space Center, museums, a rainforest exhibit and stingray touch pool.

The marina, originally called Lafayette Landing Marina, was built in 1988. It was subsequently acquired by Landry’s in 2000, and renamed Kemah Boardwalk Marina. There are now over 30 marinas in the Galveston Bay area but, because of its location at the mouth of Clear Lake on the shores of Galveston Bay, Kemah is often called the ‘Gateway to the Bay’. Brad Grace explains its unique appeal is due to its “convenient and protected location on Galveston Bay, with deepwater slips

and no bridge restrictions between us and open water – and within walking distance to dozens of restaurants, shopping, attractions and nightlife.”

“Our marina hospitality services offer more amenities and guest services than any other marina on the Texas Gulf Coast. Galveston Bay itself offers fantastic sailing activities and hosts weekly sailing races and larger sailing regattas each season,” he adds.

Grace started his career in the marina industry 30 years ago as a dockhand at a small family-owned marina in Northeast Florida. “I found I enjoyed working on the water, interacting with the guests and around boats, and the constantly changing dynamics of the job,” he says. “Over the

Brad Grace

TALKING SHOP

years, I slowly worked my way from dockhand to assistant dockmaster, to dockmaster to marina general manager. I’ve had the opportunity to have worked and managed several marina properties over the years in Florida, the mid-Atlantic, New England, the Midwest and now the Texas Gulf Coast. I’m lucky enough to thoroughly enjoy my job and absolutely love experiencing what each new day brings.”

Among his short-term goals are to expand the marina’s hospitality services and guest experiences at Kemah and incorporate them into additional marina properties for Landry’s, and to continue to improve and add to those services for marina guests. “Our biggest challenge is continually coming up with new services to our marina hospitality offerings. I enjoy meeting and exceeding a marina guest’s expectations and assisting them in enjoying and maximising their valuable leisure time. A marina manager’s responsibilities are fluid and ever changing, which is a big part of the allure for me.”

Expansion and development plans

“We just completed the modification of B-Dock from 42ft (13m) monohull slips into one 450ft+ (137m+) alongsidetie dock to better accommodate the high demand for larger 50ft+ (15m+) catamarans (see Marina World, July/ August 2022),” Grace says. “With most catamarans larger than 45ft (14m) unable to access most of the region’s marinas due to their mast heights and bridge restrictions, we decided to take advantage of our location on Galveston Bay to offer these larger yachts an ideal homeport for exploring the bay and the Texas Gulf coast. The additional alongside-tie dock will now offer catamaran owners a Texas homeport option instead of being forced to keep their yachts in Florida.”

Future improvement projects include plans to completely replace the docks within the marina, and redesign the layout to better accommodate the current boating trends of larger yachts and catamarans, Grace says.

His ambitious plans build upon a history of upgrades and improvements at the marina. “In recent years, we’ve upgraded the marina’s complimentary Wi-Fi system by placing repeaters out on the docks, installed a new Keco pump-out station for guest use, built a bocce ball court and putting green, installed guest seating areas with new propane fire pits and replaced our old charcoal grills at our dockside guest pavilions.”

Keeping pace with modern needs

Currently, the marina boasts more than 400 slips, T-heads and alongside-ties accommodating vessels from 25ft (8m) to 100ft (30m) in length. The existing docks are all floating docks with timber frame and wood decking, with 30amp, 50amp and single phase 100amp electric services. Plans for a new 150ft (46m) fuel dock and ship store are currently in the development stage.

Other marina facilities include a tropical pool and hot tub spa, marina dock carts, laundry, dog walking areas, yoga sessions and basic boat washing services.

The marina is currently at 93.5% occupancy, with a waiting list on larger

slips up to 62ft (19m), as well as 70-100ft (21-30m) T-heads and alongside-ties.

While there are no haulout or boatyard facilities at the marina, third-party insured marine contractors are allowed to conduct minor repairs on guest boats, and a large haul-out and shipyard facility is located just five minutes from the marina.

Tight security at the marina allows for visitor peace of mind. “Security is not a concern at our marina because we are ever vigilant,” Grace explains. “The marina property is enclosed by a perimeter fence with 24-hour guest access by electronic key card at our automatic front gate. Contractors and visitors may also be buzzed and signed in by the Marina Office and dedicated uniformed roving marina security personnel. We also provide local law enforcement marine vessels with complimentary slips to support their safety and law enforcement operations on Galveston Bay. These law enforcement slips were purposely assigned at the front of the marina property with the highly visual presence of four to five law enforcement vessels and five to six law enforcement vehicles providing the marina and our guests with an additional security measure by acting as a visual deterrent for any potential illegal activities.”

Grace is proud of the marina’s environmental credentials. “We are a Certified Texas Clean Marina,” he explains. “Our daily environmental tasks include removing any trash by dip net within the marina basin and cleaning all bird mess from the docks. We provide our guests with a used oil and waste water/diesel disposal centre. This enclosed area also accepts used battery disposal and is cleaned and maintained weekly. The marina has several trash and recycling containers scattered throughout the property, which are emptied daily. The marina also maintains a close working relationship with the US Coast Guard and Texas General Land Office in reporting any possible oil or fuel spills in Kemah and assisting with minor clean-ups.”

Twenty years of talented teamwork

UK-based marina and waterfront consultancy, Marina Projects, celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year, two decades in which it has grown from a small – although expert – team tasked to develop an English south coast marina, into an international enterprise with a global project portfolio. Was this the aim? What’s still to come? Carol Fulford talks to Marina Projects managing director Mike Ward.

Q: How did Marina Projects start and how has it grown?

A: The company was formed in 2002 and started out at Royal Clarence Marina in Gosport, Hampshire, which was in fact our first project. We acted for a residential developer to bring forward a new marina that had a specific event focus to complement other offerings in Portsmouth Harbour. The project applied all of the key skills from site assessment through to operational management, establishing an operating company to take the marina through the early years of the site development. This project

provided the springboard to developing the company and I joined very early on with the specific role of expanding and driving the consultancy forward.

We are now 17-strong, with a further 30 or so in our subsidiary UK marinas (Whitehaven and James Watt Dock).

COMPANY FOCUS

We have just started our 360th project and our global activities include projects in Melbourne, Auckland, China, Hong Kong, the Caribbean, Falklands, throughout the Mediterranean and, of course, in the UK – in total, some 35 countries.

Q: When you formed the company did you see an obvious market gap? Did you plan to offer anything different or more comprehensive than the norm?

A: We saw an opportunity on a global scale for an independent and specialist marina consultancy that could provide an experienced view to public and private sector clients who could leverage the value of the land and water connection. Importantly, we decided not to offer maritime engineering services because we wanted to focus on our role as the marina specialist rather than become another multi-disciplinary consultancy practice. The vision has always been to become the client’s trusted advisor and to make them aware of our areas of specialism, which include maritime civil engineering.

Q: How did you build the company in terms of market reach – deliberate or organic?

A: Our overseas offices have always been deliberate choices reflecting significant project activity and prospects, but our experience has

Top left: The Marina Projects team has been involved with Porto Montenegro, a flagship reference, since 2006. Top right: Mike Ward speaks to HRH Prince Philip in 2015 when the Royal Southern Yacht Club opened Prince Philip Yacht Haven in the UK. Right: Marina Projects gave specialist marine advice to Lantau Yacht Club in Hong Kong when it planned a complete redevelopment.

COMPANY FOCUS

taught us that you never know what is coming next and where it will come from. Activity in new regions has often come by reputation (project experience) or referral via either a client or a member of a professional team we have worked with in the past. The old cliché, “you are only as good as your last job”, is very true for Marina Projects and something that every team member takes into account.

Q: How does your experience in marina management influence the way you design marinas?

A: Our background in marina and boatyard operations absolutely underpins all of our consultancy services and the advice that we provide. The understanding of the demands and requirements of the end user is critical, even at the very earliest feasibility stage, not just during marina operations. And we have to remember that the end user is not just the boat owning customer but also the marina operator. We have four internationally accredited CMMs as part of the wider consultancy team but the rest have all spent the majority of their working lives dedicated to different aspects of the industry. I firmly believe that it is the collective experience and breadth of expertise across the team that has been critical to our success.

Q: Over the past 20 years has it become easier or more difficult to develop marinas in terms of environment, planning and legislation? Does this vary greatly depending on geography? Has there been increased focus or difficulty in any particular area(s)?

A: It has undoubtedly become more challenging to design and develop marinas and I would say that is the case globally. Certainly, there are

different regulatory regimes in place but in every location where we have been active there is a permitting and approval process that weighs the influence of development on the environment. The geographical differences are not as great as one might expect. Of course, some jurisdictions are tighter than others but an increasing awareness of environmental habitats and impact of both development and operation of marinas and associated activities is consistently present.

Q: Is there a specific project of which you are particularly proud?

A: There are several that merit a mention and, of course, Porto Montenegro must be a project that features high on the list. The client and investors have really been responsible for putting Montenegro on the map and Porto Montenegro has a profile as a world leading superyacht marina that has truly made it a flagship project for us. I think it is a testament to our relationship (and a very patient client) that, having been on a journey from the outset in 2006 pretty much continuously through to 2016, we are still working closely together.

Another project highlight on a much smaller scale would be the Prince Philip Yacht Haven on the Hamble in England. It was a tricky and unique site that was very difficult to unlock and it was immensely satisfying to see our plan come together. The privilege of meeting the late Prince Philip was an honour for those involved that capped the successful delivery of a project from concept through to delivery.

As well as the projects of which we are proud, I think we can also be proud of the client relationships that we have developed. So many of these have been long term and turned into genuine

The extension and reconfiguration of Windermere Quays Marina on Lake Windermere in England in 2017 was designed and project managed by Marina Projects from concept through to delivery.

friendships. In this sense, it’s not just the project that we are proud of but it is a process and relationship we have thoroughly enjoyed. Marina Projects has some really great supporters around the globe and we are very grateful for their continued work and collaboration.

Q: What is your longer term plan?

A: At the heart of the future plan is cementing our place as a world leading marina consultancy business. But I should also mention again that a huge part of our success, and the real strength of Marina Projects has been the team that we have built and the way they work so well together. Naturally, the team features heavily in our future plans. By developing and growing our team, our strategy is to extend the solid foundation that we have developed and I expect our global reach will expand further. A larger team means more space is required and we are looking to move premises in the very short term. I am sure that will be exciting for all of us.

Q: How do you see the marina industry developing – regionally and/or globally? Where will the strongest emphases lie? And the biggest challenges?

A: I am quite sure that the industry will need to develop differently, respecting the different conditions we find regionally across the globe, but it will also need to respond globally to issues and new technologies. One thing our 20 years of consultancy activity has taught us is that you never know what is around the corner, where the next hot spot of activity will occur or when a particular hot spot might slow down. What we do see is a trend of boat owners being more adventurous and ambitious and looking for new experiences and I suspect that will take us to some remote places.

Domestically, and in some more mature markets, our projects are likely to be looking to deliver higher levels of customer service and improved facilities as the customer becomes more and more discerning. Challenges for the industry are likely to come from embracing new technologies, addressing environmental obligations and dealing with climate change.

YARDS & YARD MACHINERY

One of the world’s first electric marine hoists is installed in Spain

GH, a European benchmark company for crane design and manufacture, has launched its new GH70e electric marine boat hoist in the port of Bermeo in northern Spain marking a milestone in electric-based marine lifting solutions that will reduce environmental impact and achieve greater workplace safety.

Releasing the GH70e, a new line of electric automotive gantry cranes in the e-Motion line, is a major technological step forward for GH, which manufactures thousands of electric cranes every year and has over 70 years of experience in the field.

The GH70e, with 65 tonnes of capacity, offers the same power and performance as the hydraulic version and is used to lift and ground all kinds of vessels that need to be removed from the water and transferred to a drydock.

Key innovation rests in the development and implementation of new supply technology using a modular system of batteries that substitutes the diesel propulsion system used by conventional marine boat hoists.

Among its numerous features and benefits, of particular note is the incorporation of an autonomous solar

panel support system, providing up to 20 per cent of the energy used on a daily basis.

The hoist also produces less noise and vibration and can be easily

recharged via its inbuilt high-performance charging port during the working day thanks to a lithium-ion battery that comes with a ten year guarantee.

The machine is claimed to greatly improve dry-docking efficiency when grounding vessels of different widths thanks to its variable span feature. Electric steering is highly versatile in all steering modes and greater loading and workplace safety is ensured as the machine is equipped with numerous safety components including solid tyres. Less maintenance is required as the hoist has far fewer moving parts.

In its commitment to sustainability and care for the environment, GH will continue to take important steps forward in the development of this product line in coming years.

www.motion.ghcranes.com

Italian company Ascom celebrates its fortieth anniversary in 2022, a significant achievement for the Ascom-Abi Trailers Group.

Proud to meet different market needs, the company is able to offer a broad

range of equipment for boat handling, an offering that was increased 20 years ago when Abi-Trailers was launched. Boat hoists, marine jib cranes, forklifts, boat transporters and overhead cranes for drystack facilities are designed, manufactured, sold and installed worldwide. All are highly customised and precisely tailored to customer and site requirements.

Environmental factors have always had serious focus and, upon demand, every Ascom machine can be supplied as a zero emissions version. An iCloud platform also enables the diagnosis and monitoring of machines

in real time. www.ascom-italy.it

BOAT CRADLING STORING

BOAT HANDLING

Green o’clock at Metstrade

Over the past two years, Boat Lift has had to rapidly adjust its perspectives so as to meet the demand for electric machines which it now sees as the leading customer choice.

In June this year, the company delivered a fully-electric 15 tonne hoist to Port de Plaisance La Rochelle, France. Claimed as a world-first, it paved the way for innovations, such as the 40 tonne electric hoist which will soon be delivered to Cantieri di Aprilia in Italy.

Market demand for electric machines is currently centred on small and medium machines with a capacity between 15 and 80 tonnes and customers are smaller marinas, but Boat Lift’s aim is to extend electric options to higher range hoists.

The company is using Metstrade 2022 as a platform to introduce a fullyelectric 25 tonne self-propelled trailer.

The all-new electric trailer has a compact and solid structure and can be precision handled thanks to a DSC electronic steering system and proportional motion control. Highefficiency lithium batteries are sized to suit the machine so as to find the most effective tailor-made solution.

The advanced technology guarantees best performance and reliability during

work cycles without requiring any specific maintenance, and the balancing system keeps cells efficient, enabling thousands of charging cycles. Furthermore, the fast-charge technology ensures the continuity of activities on site.

Aside from innovating with its electric range, Boat Lift continues to improve upon its well-established line of traditional machinery. Two boat hoists of 720 tons and 820 tons have been delivered, respectively, to Italian yard Eurocraft and Lyon Shipyard

in Virginia, USA. Both are tailormade solutions, ensuring reliability and efficiency in lifting and handling operations.

www.boatlift.it

Ontario operator buys multi-use trailer

St Clair Boating Centre in Port Lambton, Ontario, recently

towed hydraulic yard trailer from Kropf Industrial.

The trailer offers all the standard advantages of a Conolift trailer, including a unique open frame design and hydraulic frame lift to over 5ft (1.5m) of frame height. The trailer frame also expands hydraulically in width from 7ft to 9ft 6in (2m to 2.8m), allowing the trailer to be adjusted to safely and efficiently handle a wide variety of boats.

An onboard Honda gas engine provides power to the integrated hydraulic system. This unit is equipped with manual controls, but a wireless radio remote control system is also available. Adjustable powerboat pads and sliding front double bow pads can be adjusted to suit a wide range of hull types and vessel sizes.

The open-frame design provides drastically simplified lift and set operations, with exceptional space

for placement of keel blocking and storage stands. The independent frame lift in both the rear wheels and the fifth wheel hitch allows for the trailer and boat to remain level during launch and retrieval operations on a slipway.

St Clair Boating Centre includes both a marina operation with wet slips and heated indoor storage, as well as new and used boat sales.

The Conolift Y-40 will be utilised for annual launch and retrieval operations to support the storage business,

as well as handling vessels that require maintenance and service. It will help the operator to maximise the use of storage capacity while also reducing operating costs and increasing safety. www.kropfindustrial.com.

took delivery of a new Conolift Y-40

Cat trailer range expanded

French company Nautipark has delivered its first 50 tonne slipway trailer for catamarans up to 21m (70ft). The model expands the Parklev range, which is suited to catamarans of 20 tonnes/15m (50ft) and 30 tonnes/18m (60ft).

According to Nautipark’s Vincent Harnois, trailers are amongst the company’s best-sellers. “The greatest product interest is for boat stands to suit all types of boats – we’ve just completed our first ever container shipment to the USA as a follow up to our success in Europe and Oceania. But sales are building for our hydraulic trailers, especially the catamaran versions as this is a growing market with few good solutions.”

Export success is a given for a company that prides itself on selling cradles, storage and handling solutions to the global market. The company estimates that 98 per cent of the world’s leisure boats can be safely cradled by one of two specially developed

Nautipark cradles and that the models can save up to 50 per cent of yard space.

Hydraulic slipway trailers are easy to use, versatile, efficient and require minimal maintenance. They can transport motor, sail and catamaran vessels and have remote control operation.

In addition to the Parklev range, Quicklev trailers are popular for

Electric and traditional –hoist designs for all

Forging ahead with electric boat hoist technology, Italian handling and lifting expert Cimolai Technology is reinforcing its presence in marinas and yards in Europe and North America.

Mobile boat hoists, able to lift vessels up to 1,500 tonnes, are the rising stars in the machinery portfolio and there are currently many orders on the books for

600, 700, 850 and 1,150 tonne models. A 1,120 tonne hoist has recently been delivered to an operator in Italy, a 1,150 tonne hoist to an operator

launching and recovering motor boats of up to 20 tonnes.

www.nautipark.com

in Greece and an order secured for a fully-electric 1,500 tonne machine for a US customer based in Oregon. The hoist will be completely batterypowered and will be the largest electric boat hoist supplied to date.

The company also manufactures and sells small and medium sized hoists and has recently supplied a 140 tonne model to Willis Marine in New York and an MBH 145 tonne telescopic version to Lauderdale Maritime Center in Florida. Assembly of a 300 tonne hoist has just been completed for Monaco Marine in Antibes, France and other 100 tonne machines are due for delivery to operators in Spain, Turkey and elsewhere in France.

To further its export business, Cimolai Technology has expanded its US sales network via a strategic collaboration with New York-based US Hoists Corporation. US Hoists now drives product sales throughout the northeast, Great Lakes, mid-Atlantic and midwestern regions, while working with Ideya in Florida.

US Hoists’ team of specialist technicians also team up with Cimolai Technology’s after-sales division to offer reliable, US-based parts and services on all machines currently operating in the USA and Canada.

All Cimolai machines are 100 per cent designed and manufactured in workshops in Italy. www.cimolaitechnology.com

FLOATING STRUCTURES

Australian marina sets new benchmark in waterfront living

Australia’s first luxury homes to float on the sea have been unveiled as part of the $40 million Dockside Port Vincent project planned for South Australia’s Port Vincent marina. The project will be developed by the Adelaide-based Lillis Group over three stages in the South Australian coastal holiday hamlet of Port Vincent.

In addition to the floating houses, the plan includes a five-storey apartment complex, complete with retail, cafés and co-working spaces, and eight townhouses, six of which will be waterfront properties with access to a shared pontoon.

Dockside project director, Peter Villis, says the development will set a new benchmark for waterfront living, holidaying, investing or working remotely. The first homes were released for sale on 1st October.

“Port Vincent is a relaxed holiday

Left & below: Dockside Port Vincent’s spacious floating homes have been designed by Dragonfly Afloat and will be built on the water using a unique method of assembly.

destination on the Yorke Peninsula a little more than two hours’ drive from Adelaide or one hour cruise across St Vincent Gulf, which provides some of Australia’s best sailing,” he said.

Each home has been designed by renowned architects Dragonfly Afloat, will be moored within the marina, and arranged over three levels with 221m² (2,380ft²) of living space. With front and rear decks on levels one and two, and a rooftop deck for 360° views of the St Vincent Gulf, the designs are available with two or three bedroom options.

The floating houses will be dual keyed, creating an option to convert each dwelling into two separate apartments. A floating café, which has attracted interest from a significant gin distillery, will be built alongside the homes.

Villis said the homes will be appointed to the highest standards, with additional pontoon berths available within the marina for those buyers looking to sail or cruise across the Gulf and moor near their home. Construction is due to begin in early 2023.

The floating homes will be ecofriendly and move away from typical water-vessel accommodation by offering a liveable, contemporary, functional, self-sufficient and off-grid space on the water.

Dragonfly Afloat’s assembly method is claimed to be unique worldwide. It allows for construction from start to finish, on the water. No cranes

A floating café, to be built near the homes, has attracted interest from a gin distillery.

or launch site is needed. This technology developed for on-water construction allows for a 10 to 15 week assembly period, without the cost of dry land access, cranes, trucks, road fees and ecological damage that occurs while launching large vessels onto the water.

The houses will have a maintenance-free polyethylene UV protected ‘hull’ and feature 5H treated timber and marine grade stainless steel fittings and fixtures, which should also require no maintenance. Drinking water comes from a desalination/purification system (no water bills) and electricity from solar panels. All sewage is macerated and purified but houses will be connected to mains sewers so as to ensure absolute clearance from the marina.

The townhouses, designed by Shape Architects, have three or four bedrooms and exclusive access to a shared pontoon, and the Dockside apartment complex includes a swimming pool and

FLOATING STRUCTURES

an entertainment pontoon, gymnasium, rooftop events and function space. It has stunning views of the marina, township and across the St Vincent Gulf. The five-storey complex, with 52 apartments, has been designed by Studio Nine architects.

“Our vision is for Dockside Port Vincent to become a draw card in its own right and a catalyst for regional

MEET OUR FULL-ELECTRIC SERIES 0 EMISSIONS. 0 LEAKS.

tourism and service operators to drive economic activity in the region,” Villis explained. “It will be the perfect home base for sailing and nautical events, as well as being located on the Walk and Yorke trail and alongside the 300 million year old granite boulders, known as The Erratics.”

“We have had significant interest in the project so far,” he confirmed.

GH70e, OUR FIRST 65T ELECTRIC GANTRY CRANE, LOCATED IN THE PORT OF BERMEO (SPAIN).

- Easy recharging and guaranteed autonomy for a full working day, thanks to the high-performance lithium-ion battery core with a 10-year guarantee

- Incorporation of an autonomous solar panel support system, which provides up to 20% of the daily energy used.

- Optimization of the docking area thanks to the variable span, allowing to adjust the boat hoist to the beams of the different boats.

motion@ghcranes.com

www.motion.ghcranes.com

Autonomous gardening –anywhere under the sun

As part of its plans to diversify and play an increasing role in environmental conservation, Poralu Marine has joined forces with Biopratic, a fellow French company with the same values.

Biopratic’s stand-alone gardening system brings container growing opportunities to the most unlikely places, such as areas with concrete and waterproofed surfaces. Poralu aims to generate

momentum for the concept and increase its marketing potential.

Measuring 100cm x 100cm (40in x 40in) and 35cm (14in) deep, each growing container is self-sufficient, drawing on an internal water reserve. This recovers rainwater and watering water to supply the plants, and does the watering by itself via a solar powered automatic watering kit, which can be remotely controlled. www.poralu.com

D-Marin invests in Sense4Boat

Premium marina network operator D-Marin has acquired a majority stake in Sense4Boat, an Internet of Things (IoT) company focused on boat safety, as the next part of its digitalisation strategy.

Sense4 Boat will provide the entire D-Marin network with a cutting-edge IoT platform to monitor all the vital parameters of docked boats and detect potential threats long before they become a real hazard.

The platform is based on reliable and user friendly sensors, which enable customers to spend more time sailing and less time worrying about their boats while away from the marina. D-Marin’s digitalisation investment programme is part of the company’s main focus of enriching yachting experiences for its berth holders.

The partnership will provide research and development opportunities to accelerate marina technologies and, as part of the agreement, Sense4Boat will continue to develop its platform and further scale its business across the boating, marina and insurance industries. www.d-marin.com

Community docks for St Johns River

The City of Jacksonville, Florida has the largest urban park system in the USA and, in order to enhance its dynamic network of outdoor community spaces, is adding numerous docks along the St Johns River for visiting boaters and water taxis.

The new Post Street location in the historic Riverside neighbourhood presented several engineering challenges that were easily overcome when the City selected an SF Marina floating concrete dock system.

The Post Street boat landing site not only contends with a fast-moving river current, but also strong southerly wave action. The location is also directly adjacent to underground utilities so the dock structure had to be rock-solid so as to remain in place if a hurricane were to hit the area. The City specified that it would need to withstand 120mph (193kpm) winds for two hours with 10ft (3m) storm surges.

Jacksonville-based Hal Jones

Contractor installed the two-part 95ft (29m) long x 10ft (3m) wide SF1230 HD pontoon and three SF1224 32ft (10m) x 8ft (2.4m) fingers. The sections are joined together using SF Marina’s connector system that absorbs torsional tension and heavy loading. The array is designed to accommodate six vessels up to

50ft (15m) in length.

To secure the structure, the contractor drove eight 20in (51cm) steel piles over 40ft (12m) deep into the rocky river bottom. This safeguards against the array moving and damaging the utility lines. Custom guides allow the pontoons to rise and fall smoothly with water level changes.

The concrete pontoons were manufactured in SF Marina’s Norfolk, Virginia facility and trucked to Jacksonville. www.sfmarina.com

20 years for ICMS

Pontoon manufacturer and water access specialist Inland and Coastal Marina Systems (ICMS) has celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Formed out of Banagher Precast Concrete (BPC), an Irish precast concrete manufacturer that started producing concrete jetties in 1990, ICMS was set up by Oliver and Claire Shortall in 2002, while Oliver was still working for BPC.

“When I joined Banagher, it had just started developing floating jetties,” Shortall says. “I could see that there was a growing market for pontoons and jetties in Ireland, but Banagher was focused on other sectors so when the opportunity arose for me to buy the jetty side of the business, we started Inland and Coastal.”

With demand strong, and no other

company manufacturing pontoons in Ireland, ICMS went from strength to strength. Based in County Offaly, the company opened offices in Lossiemouth, Scotland in 2015 and in Hamble, England in 2018.

Now employing over 50 people, ICMS designs, manufactures and installs pontoons and concrete breakwaters in marinas, yacht harbours and commercial ports worldwide, including Mexico, Australia and France.

“I’m delighted with how the business and our product portfolio have grown over the last 20 years,” Shortall says.

“Building on the development of Glass Reinforced Concrete decking and the first concrete breakwaters at BPC in 1998, we developed continuous concrete pontoons in 2013 and started our heavy-duty pontoon range in 2014, in addition to our standard leisure marina pontoons.”

“Because we came out of Banagher Concrete, we’ve always taken the approach that every product we make should be built with robustness so it’ll last. And, today, that’s what people associate us with.”

www.inlandandcoastal.com

First electric boat supercharger in Portugal

Marina de Lagos helps lead the way in electric boating by becoming the first Aqua superPower marine fast charging destination in Portugal.

The newly installed Aqua 75 supercharger at the marina will be part of a growing regional charging network to be rolled out along the Algarve. Partnering with Galaxia Boats, Marina de Lagos hosted Portugal’s first all-electric boat show earlier this year, promoting a broad range of environmental boating solutions and the largest display to date of electric boats in Europe.

Known for its modern facilities and technically advanced boating ecosystem, Marina de Lagos has 460 berths and seeks to become a leading centre for electric boating. Joining Aqua superPower’s network is part of the marina’s commitment to drive

marine decarbonisation and reduce the impact of boating on the environment.

Located on the Bay of Lagos at the heart of the historic old town of Lagos, the marina has become a maritime

of the network and charging corridor to be built out along the Algarve and Portuguese coast.

gateway to the Atlantic Ocean and its marine fast charger is the first station

“Marina de Lagos is thrilled to be the first marina in Portugal to offer electric boat fast charging. This is a crucial step in our pioneering environmental protection plan, for which we have found the perfect partners in Aqua superPower and Galaxia Boats, who share our determination, experience and commitment to greener boating and the environment,” said Marina de Lagos CEO Martinho Fortunato. “We know that electric boats are here now, and they require the reliable ‘plug and go’ fast charging infrastructure Aqua superPower provides.” www.aqua-superpower.com

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Index to Advertisers

AMI Expo, USA 22

ASAR/GCM Safe Harbour

Drystacks, USA 32

American Muscle, USA 50

Applied Technology & Management, USA 26

Aqua superPower, UK 68

Bellingham Marine, USA 7, 9 & 11

Bluewater Marine & Dock, USA 66

Boatlift, Italy 30

Capria, Argentina 70

Conolift by Kropf Industrial, Canada 20

D-Marin, Greece 35

Den Hartog Industries, USA 69

DrySta, Spain 50

DualDocker, Austria 24

Dura Composites, UK 44

FGM Technology, Italy 70

Flovac, Spain 75

Forklift Exchange, USA 63

GH Cranes & Components, Spain 65

Gigieffe, Italy 10

Golden Manufacturing, USA 14 & 15

Horizon Marina, China 68

IMCI, Belgium 72

IWMC 2022, Portugal 28

Ingemar, Italy 12

Inland & Coastal Marina Systems, UK & Ireland 40

Inmare, Italy 68

Lindley, Portugal 16

Marex, Croatia 50

Marina Master by IRM, Slovenia 60

Marina Projects, UK 76

MARINAGo by Scribble Software, USA 71

Marinetek, Finland 4

Marinetek Sponsored Feature, Finland 18 &19

Marine Travelift, USA 60

Martini Marinas, Italy 47

Molo, USA 53

Nautipark, France 59

Pacific Netting, USA 22 & 26

Pacsoft, New Zealand 72

PierPump by Vogelsang, Germany 8

Plus Marine, Italy 40

Poralu Marine, France 38 & 39

Prickly Bay Waterside Ltd, Grenada 45

Rolec, UK 49

Ronautica, Spain 37

Roodberg - a brand of Frisian Industries, Netherlands 67

SF Marina System, Sweden 2

Seaflex, Sweden 6

Seijsener, Netherlands 73

Superior Group, Australia 60

Swede Ship Sublift, Sweden 66

ThruFlow, Canada 72

Twinwood by Soprefa, Portugal 29

Walcon Marine, UK 43

Wiggins Lift Co, USA 57

Pod design to regenerate seagrass

A unique experiment to help restore seagrass in marine regeneration projects has reached a crucial stage in trials within Falmouth Harbour, UK.

The hot-housing Seavive Pod, designed and now modified by Bournemouth University student Alex Croasdell (above left), has been found to successfully rot down seagrass seedpods to nurture the release of seeds so that they can be used to replenish seagrass beds, potentially around the world.

Croasdell’s latest Seavive design, 3D printed by Niall Jones using recycled plastic, is now suspended below Falmouth Haven pontoons for ease of access, and contains seagrass seed pods harvested from the Flushing seagrass bed – with necessary permissions gained by Falmouth Harbour for Natural England.

Seavive has been backed by a partnership that includes Falmouth Harbour, Falmouth-based GAC UK and marine restoration charity Our Only World and Croasdell thanks everyone who has helped fund and develop the project. “I hope these pods can help preserve and bring back our lost seagrass meadows, which are so vital for our ecosystem and coastlines,” he says.

The prototype pod will be retrieved

from the Falmouth Haven pontoon this month (November) and the released seeds used as part of an educational session within the wider Cornwall Flood Forum. The plan is for school pupils to take the released seeds, mix them with sand, and place them in hessian bags. The next day, volunteer divers and snorkelers will plant the bags within scour patches left by moorings removed by Falmouth Harbour in 2021.

The seeds will be monitored for signs of germination in spring 2023 with hopes that this activity will help to speed up the regeneration of the patches.

Vicki Spooner, Falmouth Harbour environmental manager (top right), adds her thanks for the funding and hopes the Seavive Pod will ultimately be used worldwide for small-scale seagrass regeneration projects.

“This is a super project to be involved in and it’s great to be able to help Alex take his design to the next stage,” she says. “Using recycled plastics to create the prototype is something we are hoping to explore further as part of our plans to reduce waste and contribute to the circular economy so it was great to work with Niall to understand more on how this can be achieved.”

www.falmouthharbour.co.uk

THE SMART GREEN FUTURE OF SEWAGE COLLECTION

Vacuum sewerage systems are ideal for use in marinas and ports of any size.

The Flovac system can capture sewage and bilge water from boats and all facilities around the marina complex.

No electrical power required at dockside Discreet, small diameter pipework

No risk of water contamination

Validates MARPOL certiﬁcation

Eco-sustainable system

Ease of installation

No odour, no spills

Concept

Feasibility

Business

Marina

Tender

Marine

Environmental

Property

Marina World - Issue 134 - Nov/Dec 2022

SUPERDOCKS ™

Marina World

Bold new moves

In Fond Memory of Michael (Mike) Barry (1932-2022)

The world leader in

Did you know?

Test your knowledge.

Have more questions?

Almarin buys Aister

Mooring Post

Registration opens for AMI EXPO

CLEAN WASTEWATER DISPOSAL

Ocean Reef breakwaters complete

Suntex expands into California market

Big Challenges, Big Decisions

NZMOA 2022 Awards

Hurricane Ian devastates Fort Myers marinas

Resort opens in favoured tourist spot

New superyacht haven in Greek isles

Jersey marina invests in rebuild

SPONSORED FEATURE: MARINETEK

Perfect timing to strengthen market presence

CONOLIFT Upgrade to

Upgrade to CONOLIFT EQUIPMENT!

SUPERYACHT FACILITIES

Seclusion and luxury in the Bahamas

Superyacht focus

SUPERYACHT FACILITIES

Environment central to the design

SUPERYACHT FACILITIES

The big boat picture in southern Italy

SUPERYACHT FACILITIES

SUPERYACHT FACILITIES

SUPERYACHT FACILITIES

Superyachts welcome at Palm Beach marina

SUPERYACHT FACILITIES

Gibraltar superyacht berths near completion

SUPERYACHT FACILITIES

Abu Dhabi –a new winter oasis

First superyacht repair and refit centre in UAE

SUPERYACHT FACILITIES

Captains and crew vote Coral Sea Marina ‘best in world’

DRYSTACK STORAGE

Top US boat dealer launches first-in-state drystack

Racking boats

DRYSTACK STORAGE

Location, location

DRYSTACK STORAGE

Happy customers

PROPERTY & INVESTMENT

True spice in the Spice Island

Marinas and takeovers –enough room for ‘boating’?

GREENER, CLEANER MARINA SOLUTIONS

TALKING SHOP

Kemah Boardwalk: Gateway to Galveston Bay

TALKING SHOP

Expansion and development plans

Keeping pace with modern needs

Twenty years of talented teamwork

COMPANY FOCUS

COMPANY FOCUS

YARDS & YARD MACHINERY

One of the world’s first electric marine hoists is installed in Spain

Green o’clock at Metstrade

Ontario operator buys multi-use trailer

Cat trailer range expanded

Electric and traditional –hoist designs for all

FLOATING STRUCTURES

Australian marina sets new benchmark in waterfront living

FLOATING STRUCTURES

Autonomous gardening –anywhere under the sun

D-Marin invests in Sense4Boat

Community docks for St Johns River

20 years for ICMS

First electric boat supercharger in Portugal

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Index to Advertisers

Pod design to regenerate seagrass

THE SMART GREEN FUTURE OF SEWAGE COLLECTION