SF Marina has been building and installing oating breakwaters and pontoons for marinas worldwide since 1918. We are committed to nding the best solution for every site.
e sturdy tugboat pontoons for the operation of large vessels in a port on the Swedish West Coast are examples of the capacity of our factory in Wallhamn. e pontoons are 10 meters wide and 23 m long. ey are also designed to accommodate heavy construction vehicles.
Vladislav Vorotnikov examines the problems that hamper marina development
Portonovi, Montenegro; Santa Barbara Marina, California; Porto Lotti, Italy; Marasi Business Bay, Dubai
Eliza Salpisti interviews Stergios Pitsiorlas, chairman of the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund
Marinalife takes its mission to connect boaters with marinas to the next level
Donatella Zucca talks shop with Michelle Mauduit and Claude Robert at Les Marines de Cogolin in St Tropez, France
Front cover: Sochi Grand Marina is the largest in Russia with 290 berths. Built in time for the 2014 Winter Olympics, it is testimony to the type of marina that can be built in Russia when it develops a better understanding of yachting, boat charter and nautical business. Read more on p.19
Marina World
HEAD OFFICE MAILING ADDRESS & SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES
Loud & Clear Publishing Ltd,
School Farm, School Road, Terrington St. John, Cambridgeshire PE14 7SJ, UK
Simon Ding Bridge International Holding, Rm. 401, Building A, No. 55 Jinyu Road, Minhang District. 201103 Shanghai, China
T: +86 21 33231328 F: +86 21 33231366
Email: simon@chcbiz.com
Marina World (ISSN 1471-5856) is published bi-monthly by Loud & Clear Publishing Ltd, School Farm, School Road, Terrington St. John, Cambridgeshire PE14 7SJ, United Kingdom.
The 2016 US annual subscription price is $160. Airfreight and mailing in the USA by agent named Air Business Ltd, c/o Worldnet Shipping Inc., 156-15 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA.
Periodicals postage paid in Jamaica NY 11431. US Postmaster: Please send address changes to MARINA WORLD, c/o Worldnet Shipping, Inc., 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 acts as Loud & Clear Publishing’s 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.
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.
The big cell
Over the past few weeks, I’ve spent time looking at marina websites after a website designer told me that it was becoming increasingly important to think “small screen”. I immediately checked the Marina World website – home page is okay – not much need to scroll down.
Wrong thought. Scrolling is now okay. In fact, as more and more people use their smartphones or tablet devices to explore websites, scrolling is now an acceptable, even desirable, norm. It makes sense to me. If we’re prepared to rummage in our bags and pockets to retrieve the device, squint at the tiny screen held in the palm of our hands and pace up and down trying to get the best signal, where’s the aggravation is scrolling up and down as well?
Carrying a mobile/cell phone has become as essential to us as carrying a wallet and for many has replaced both watch and camera. Being “connected” dominates our lives – for good and bad. WiFi has probably become the most important new demand from marina customers. As Flagstone Property Group CEO Mehmet Bayraktar reportedly joked during a seminar panel at the Ft Lauderdale Boat Show last year, “it’s more important than water for boaters.”
Like all software-based technology, the ‘smartphone’ – now officially accepted as a new word by the Oxford English Dictionary – is constantly evolving. In the coming year, according to The Telegraph, we’re looking at seven key technology changes:
• We’ll take better photos as top smartphones add a second camera
• Sound quality will improve – especially for playing music
• Buttons will be ditched in favour of a click that can be felt due to vibration inside the phone
• Our phones will always be on – displaying information but with barely noticeable reduction in battery life
• We’ll be buying a greater range of far cheaper virtual reality headsets
• The next big thing could be the ‘smartlet’ – a phone that unfolds into a tablet
• Ultra HD or 4K quality could be on our screens and available for our videos
According to IT ProPortal, there’s even more to consider. Solar or motion based charging? Modular smartphones that allow users to create their own phone using clickable components? Roll up phones – the iPad in your pocket? Apple has already filed patents. Iris recognition for secure payment when buying goods? Forget QR codes. Use your camera to scan something and you’ll get automatic information. And more 3D – holograms and projective devices.
But, as Dave Millett at Equinox [IT ProPortal], concludes, “the company that addresses the frustration of failing batteries may be the ultimate winner.”
The pertinent final though goes to the embedded phone. Like the driverless car, we could be in for the ‘deviceless’ phone – “the mobile phone of the future will be implanted in your head,” says Cnet.
However, we upgrade and whatever we choose, smartphone technology will keep us better connected and help us use our time more efficiently.
I hope there’s an app for that.
Carol Fulford Editor
IWMC and the MYP
NETHERLANDS: The 2016 ICOMIA World Marinas Conference (17th-19th November) combined with the Marina & Yard Pavilion at METSTRADE 2016 (15th- 17th November) create an exceptional marina hub for the industry.
The MYP, which dovetails with IWMC on 17th November, plays host to over 60 exhibitors, offering products and services specific to the yacht harbour industry.
IWMC will offer unparalleled networking opportunities. Highlights include:
• An exciting speaker line-up of over 40 world class marina industry experts
• Keynote speaker and renowned trend watcher Adjiedj Bakas, who will share his distinct – somewhat provocative but always positive – vision on the world and future developments
• The latest updates on the worldwide status of the marina market
• Extensive opportunities to talk shop with fellow marina professionals
• A special business matchmaking event on Friday 18th November
• A Welcome Dinner at Amsterdam’s famous Harbour Club, including a beautiful canal boat tour through Amsterdam by night
• A Marina Tour to some of the best Dutch marinas, including Marina Volendam, Enhuizen and Muiderzand Marina World is the exclusive Media Partner for the MYP at METSTRADE and the Official Magazine for IWMC 2016.
Meet the team on the Marina World stand 05.100 in the MYP.
Your FREE digital issue
Be amongst the first to read every issue of Marina World by completing your free of charge registration online at www.marinaworld.com. You will receive automatic notification when every new issue is ‘live’.
Visit Inside Track on our website for regularly updated news on
marina projects, events, awards, campaigns, partnerships – and more.
Major regeneration mooted for Noss
UK: Public exhibitions have recently taken place to display proposed plans for the former Philip & Son shipyard and existing Noss Marina site near Dartmouth, Devon.
South Hams Council originally resolved to grant permission for the regeneration of the site in 2010. In 2013 there was a further proposal to scale down the masterplan but the application was never submitted and the marina unfortunately went into administration. The marina was acquired by Premier Marinas in early 2016 and its future is now under consideration.
“Our vision for Noss is to transform it into the UK’s finest marina with a vibrant commercial community that will secure the future of the marina for boaters and bring visitors, employment
and investment opportunities into the area,” said Pete Bradshaw, chief executive of Premier Marinas.
“Our plans include a new and larger marina, new berth holder facilities, a new boatyard with increased lifting capacity and workshops for complementary marine services, as well as a hotel and sensitive residential development,” he added.
Following the consultation, feedback is being taken into consideration before the proposal is finalised and an application submitted to the district council for its consideration.
The most important marina construction decision lays beneath the surface
SEAFLEX CAN HANDLE PRACTICALLY ANY TIDE, ANY WAVE, ANY DEPTH, ANY BOTTOM TYPE & HURRICANE STRENGTH
You spend a lot of time researching options for your marina build or upgrade. Since the anchoring is what is going to hold your marina investment in place it is arguably the most crucial components you will decide on. Seaflex is an elastic mooring solution that expands and retracts with each tide and wave, taking on and dampening the forces year after year. It does this while being invisible from the surface, creating some of the most modern, sleek, state of the art marinas of the world.
With 45 years of research and development Seaflex is the most technologically advanced mooring option in the world, anchoring thousands of marinas, wave attenuators and buoys worldwide.
Research your options, give your marina the mooring solution it deserves!
Marinetek builds megayacht marina for America’s Cup site
BERMUDA: When the 35th America’s Cup fleet arrives in Bermuda, a new destination resort and marina with accommodation for 23 visiting megayachts and a basin for smaller vessels will be open to visitors eager to follow the action.
Caroline Bay Marina in the Caroline Bay resort development at Morgan’s Point will be the hub of a new luxury residential community designed by SB Architects as a ‘contemporary interpretation of British Colonial architecture’. It will feature landscaped low to mid-rise waterfront homes and a 79-room Ritz-Carlton Reserve hotel with spa and luxury restaurants.
Built on the site of a former US naval base, the resort is now poised to play its part in rebranding Bermuda as a luxury destination. “We are very excited about the marina coming together in time for next year’s America’s Cup event. We will be able to offer yachtsmen visiting Bermuda for the races, or any time for that matter, a magnificent location in the Great Sound where the races are being held,” said Craig Christensen, president and CEO
of Morgan’s Point Ltd, the developer of Caroline Bay. “It was our intention to ensure that we had a marina suitable for the type of luxury boats that we will be attracting to Bermuda during this very exciting sporting event.”
Designed by waterfront specialists Edgewater Resources, working closely with Marinetek North America, Caroline Bay Marina will offer quality berths for visiting vessels. It will be managed in luxury style by the on-site Ritz-Carlton, which will give buyers an opportunity to purchase one of 83 coveted berths.
“Caroline Bay Marina will provide state of the art, full-service mooring during the America’s Cup event and beyond,” noted Ron Schults PE, CEO of Edgewater Resources. “Marinetek 5300BRK breakwaters were selected for the project to mitigate southeasterly waves and provide a safe and
WORLD NEWS
Artist’s impression of the berthing arrangement at Caroline Bay Marina.
Marina World Suppliers & Services
New edition: MWS&S 2017/2018
If your company information was not listed in the 2016/2017 edition of MWS&S and you are a provider of equipment and/or services to marinas, we invite you to complete a FREE OF CHARGE company profile.
Entries can be submitted using the online form at www.marinaworld.com.
Companies with listings in MWS&S 2016/2017 will receive direct contact in the coming weeks regarding their entries and do not need to re-enter information.
comfortable mooring achievement within the marina. We are honoured to be involved with such a world class facility.”
The breakwater pontoons selected for the turnkey project have side keels to maximise wave attenuation. They offer a total of 2,070ft (630.5m) of outer pontoon space to accommodate megayachts up to 250ft (76m) in a mix of alongside and stern-to positions. The breakwaters also provide interior mooring for smaller vessels and safeguard a further slip arrangement for vessels of 40-80ft (12-24m) in length built using a Marinetek aluminium pontoon system. This system is anchored by steel pipe piles and features concrete floats and ipe hardwood decking. “All mooring has been designed to meet appropriate hurricane loading regulations,” confirmed Richard Murray PE, managing director of Marinetek North America, Inc.
Marinetek Group chairman and CEO, Ilkka Seppälä, commented: “It is always a privilege to build marinas that will play a part in prestigious race events and Marinetek rises to the challenge of the tight time frames that are often in place for such events. Our multi-local supply chain and project execution capabilities are the keys to a smooth delivery in a remote location.”
Limassol M ari n a , Cyprus
TDIC appoints marina operator
UAE: Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the master developer of major tourism, cultural and residential destinations in Abu Dhabi, has appointed ART Marine as operator of its marinas at the Eastern Mangrove complex and at Marsa Al Bateen.
The marinas offer boat owners the opportunity to dock their vessels in distinct locations that offer access to high quality facilities and boutique services. The Eastern Mangroves Marina, located within the Eastern Mangroves complex, features 30 berths for yachts of 8-33m (26-108ft). Marsa Al Bateen has two marinas that dock a total of 372 boats of 10-30m (33-98ft) and is also home to the first commercial drystack in the GCC, with capacity for 138 boats of up to 9m (29ft) in length.
Sufian H. Al Marzooqi, CEO of TDIC, said he is confident that ART Marine will further enhance the company’s marina-based offering in Abu Dhabi.
Gregor Stinner, CEO of ART Marine, commented: “Above our high levels of service interaction, our key success is that we speak the same language as our clients – not only in terms of the ten national languages of our team
– but also the understanding of boat ownership and its trials and tribulations. In this way, we can communicate effectively with our members and
It’s much harder to get back in!
• Project Management & Commissioning
• Operational Management Solutions
• Concept & Detailed Design
• Facility Audit & Appraisals
• Financial Modelling
• Feasibility Studies
• Masterplanning
truly anticipate their needs with ART Marine’s 360-degree leisure marine offering, from berthing to service, yacht sales to chandlery.”
info@moffattnichol.com www.moffattnichol.com
Creative People, Practical Solutions.®
L to r: Sufian H. Al Marzooqi, CEO of TDIC, signs the marina management contract with ART Marine’s CEO Gregor Stinner.
BerthMaster Online
BerthMaster
Lake Cumberland marinas boost investor portfolio
USA: Suntex Marina Investors has bought Wolf Creek Marina on Lake Cumberland, Kentucky. The purchase comes on the heels of the recent addition of State Dock Marina, also on Lake Cumberland, to the Suntex portfolio.
With the change in ownership, Wolf
Wolf Creek Marina, the second
to join
portfolio, is up for further improvement. Creek will see exciting reinvestments in the coming months, including new dock construction and additional merchandise offerings within its marine store.
“It is an exciting time for the Suntex brand,” said Chris Petty, head of operations for Suntex. “By investing in Wolf Creek, as well as State Dock, we are able to enhance the services offered to visitors of Lake Cumberland. This popular destination is a pristine location and we are looking forward to adding to the already high quality
experience the facility provides.”
Wolf Creek Marina, with 209 slips, provides a relaxed environment for guests and is located in a secluded cove. The property features a fully-
stocked marine store, restaurant, bath houses, fuel pumps, pump-out, water taxis and a boat rental operation.
Suntex now has a portfolio of 32 marinas.
Lake Cumberland marina
the Suntex
Power to Trust.
All Eaton Marina Power & Lighting power pedestals and distribution equipment are UL listed. The UL certification provides industry leading level of product safety your customers demand and the peace of mind you expect from Eaton. In business for over 100 years, Eaton provides everything your marina needs for a safe, reliable and efficient electrical power system.
Learn more at marinapower.com
Hatteras Light
Hatteras Light
This compact power pedestal is perfect for providing shore power connections to residential boaters, private docks, and docks with limited space.
This compact power pedestal is perfect for providing shore power connections to residential boaters, private docks, and docks with limited space.
Newport Harbor Mate
Newport Harbor Mate
This shore power option has multiple modular mounting options to fit your personal dock needs. This economical, small device can easily be installed on a dock box or piling providing a minipower source to your marina.
This shore power option has multiple modular mounting options to fit your personal dock needs. This economical, small device can easily be installed on a dock box or piling providing a minipower source to your marina.
Lighthouse & Lighthouse SS
Lighthouse & Lighthouse SS
Our most popular power pedestal, the Lighthouse offers a wide range of options and features meeting the needs of almost any boater. The Lighthouse SS offers additional capabilities and is made with high quality stainless steel for superior durability and performance.
Our most popular power pedestal, the Lighthouse offers a wide range of options and features meeting the needs of almost any boater. The Lighthouse SS offers additional capabilities and is made with high quality stainless steel for superior durability and performance.
Admiral SS
Admiral SS
Truly the flagship of our unitized pedestal line, the Admiral SS possesses amperage capabilities and receptacles to serve nearly any size
Truly the flagship of our unitized pedestal line, the Admiral SS possesses amperage capabilities and receptacles to serve nearly any size
Mega Yacht.
Mega Yacht.
High praise for Southampton show
UK: The 48th Southampton Boat Show, held in September, was deemed a great success, with over 109,000 visitors and in excess of 750 boats on display.
Over 350 of the world’s leading sailboats and high performance powerboats were moored up at the show marina, custom built and installed by Walcon Marine.
Exhibitors gave positive feedback, with Sunseeker reporting over £45 million in confirmed sales, Princess Yachts – which displayed its 30M, the largest yacht at the show – describing the event as providing ‘fantastic opportunities’, and Oyster Yachts enjoying numerous sea trials with the Oyster 675, which made its world debut at the show.
Adrien Burnand, head of marketing at MDL Marinas, said the show was most of all fun. “Once again, the Southampton Boat Show has proved to be an excellent event, attracting
many of our berth holders along with a number of new customers. We have had really positive feedback on our re-designed stand and hospitality suite,
welcoming over 4,000 berth holders and their guests, and we have seen a record number of enquiries – an increase on last year!” he commented. Boats afloat on the Walcon-built floating marina system at the 48th Southampton Boat Show.
Robust high-end marina services
• Turnkey installations
• Pump-out installations
• Prepaid payment systems
• Remote and smart metering
• Project engineering
MARKET FOCUS: RUSSIA
Big plans tempered by rules and rubles
In recent years, Russian authorities have adopted several special-purpose programmes aimed at the development of a marina industry in Sochi and other main resorts in Krasnodar Krai and the Crimea with an overall amount of funding close to US$500 million. This is a record figure for Russia, which has made little progress in encouraging private investors to put money into the marina sector. Vladislav Vorotnikov reports
Almost all existing Russian marinas are located along the south shore of Kransodar Krai. This shoreline includes Sochi, Novorosiisk and smaller coastal towns. Industry opinion has fixed on this region as having the best conditions in the country for the development of yachting. There is excellent tourist infrastructure, ice-free sea and the opportunity for international sailing as the Black Sea has access to the Mediterranean.
Left: Despite huge potential, there are only a couple of dozen marinas in the whole of Russia.
Below: Marina infrastructure in place for a new marina near Sochi. The facility has not as yet been named.
Effect of Olympics
However, even on the Black Sea coast where there is such huge potential, the infrastructure has been poorly developed.
“Compared to western countries we are still lagging behind in all indicators. For instance, on the Black Sea coast there are just two official fuelling stations for yachts and the distance between these two points is 130 miles. It is not possible for small motor yachts to cover this distance so the concept of a coastal trip is not actually possible for them,” commented Oleg Chernyh, technical director of JSC DockService-South, a Sochi-based firm offering yacht servicing and repair.
“In addition, almost all berthing areas have problems with electricity and fresh water. So, in general, what we have on shore is hard to call a marina. It is rather a place for temporary mooring, partially protected from the weather. And most of the facilities are actually in a deplorable state as they were basically constructed in the time of the Soviet Union and have never been adapted for modern yachts,” he added.
The same opinion is expressed by Maksim Condratenko, general director of Imeritinsky Sea Port, where Sochi Marina with its three harbours was
Floating breakwaters
Made in Italy
Pontoons, breakwaters, piers for super yachts, floating bridges and constructions: the best solutions for connecting sea and land by means of strong and reliable structures, in aluminium, concrete or steel, standard or tailor made.
MARKET FOCUS: RUSSIA
constructed prior to the Olympics. According to him, it is hard to imagine that a lot of new marinas in the country could be constructed or even modernised in coming years as yachting in Russia is at an embryonic stage.
“Russia has no concept of yachting or the yacht business,” he said. “Almost all existing ‘marinas’ in Soviet times were collective fish farms. The possibility for year-round navigation only exists in the Black Sea. As a result, the main market players are located here and they are Grand Marina in Sochi and Aleksino Port Marina in Novorossiysk.”
“In Russia, sailing and the marina business is still in its infancy in many ways due to an imperfect legal framework and legislation. For example, commercial management of vessels in our country is still barely represented. The psychology of the boat owner in Russia does not allow him to make his boat available for charter. We used to say that it is not comme il faut [the done thing]. We also have imperfect insurance legislation in respect of chartered boats and a large number of additional paper formalities and restrictions for this type of activity,” he added.
was the involvement of Burevestnik Group. It has become the management company for the project,” explained Andrey Boiko, Burevestnik Group CEO. He also indicated that development of yachting in the country is still slipping and that this also constrains the marina business.
It seems that, in general, the Olympics gave Russia its first impetus in 20 years to develop something of a marina business on the Black Sea coast with Sochi Grand Marina. This marina, which was built just prior to the Games, has berths for 290 yachts and plans to increase to 360 by 2020. It is believed to be the largest marina in the country.
“For the Olympic Games, stateowned operator Russian Sea Ports decided to build a new passenger port [in Sochi]. Sovcomflot [a Russian shipping company] invested in the old port to transform it into a yacht marina. The quintessence of these events
“Having the sea [coast] and, in the case of Russia, having non-developed yachting infrastructure is to say the least strange. Local budgets do not receive the tax benefits and tourist infrastructure is not developing. The government has recently started to pay attention to the fact that Russia is the third largest country in the world in terms of surface water area resources and the situation has begun to change slightly with simplification of procedures such as customs regulations for ocean-going yachts,” he said.
In total, according to official data, Russia has 23 marinas with a total of 840 berths along the southern coast. At least four of them are
currently abandoned and some marinas are actually operating illegally – without relevant registration and without paying taxes. The customer base is weak as the economic crisis has significantly reduced the purchasing power of most Russian people. They have been unwilling to purchase many yachts in recent years as a result. Despite this, officials around the country are dreaming about huge projects for the construction of new marinas.
Money is on its way?
According to the press office of the Governor of Krasnodar Krai, despite the crisis, Russian boat owners actually spend EUR200 million every year for berthing and boat maintenance at overseas marinas.
With a target to bring this money home, in 2012 officials adopted a programme for the construction of 11 marinas, comprising four basic and seven guest facilities, along the Black Sea coast at an overall cost of US$150-200 million. The project is to be implemented within a PPP (Public Private Partnership), with the federal treasury financing up to 50% of the investment for the construction of the hydraulic structures. The remaining money must be provided by private investors.
“This principle works very well, for example, in Turkey,” said Vadim Dyadyuk, CEO of Aleksino Port Marina. “The state is building the most expensive part of the marina – the waterworks - and then gives it on a long-term lease to a commercial company. This turns out to be a win-win situation not only for the private businesses but also for the state, which has the opportunity to earn some money from leases.” But Dyadyuk also suggested that any investment would be cast to the wind in the absence of relevant legislative changes.
“For example, for a Turkish yacht to
Sochi Grand Marina is the largest in the country with 290 berths.
MARKET FOCUS: RUSSIA
get from Istanbul to Rostov-on-Don, it is necessary to cross the Black Sea. It is not possible for a yacht to take the direct sea route as it has insufficient fuel for such a distance. The yacht therefore has to repeatedly enter ports along the coast to refuel and at each port foreigners have to enter and leave the country, filling in specific sets of documents. Our neighbours in Ukraine abandoned such a complex system a long time ago and this led to intensive growth of the Ukraine marina industry,” he added.
However, since 2014 implementation of the entire project seems to have stopped, although local officials assure everyone that it is not fully abandoned. Market participants indicate that, after the annexation of the Crimea, the peninsula and southern coast of Krasnodar Krai is playing a zero-sum game with government investments. As a result, one of the main reasons why implementation of the project for construction of marinas in Sochi and nearby towns still slips is that the Crimean Government previously declared its intention to undertake
the same initiative with a much higher overall investment sum of US$243 million.
“The project involves the construction of four marinas, including one at Lake Donuzla in Yevpatoriya for US$96 million for 500 berths and relevant infrastructure [it should be the largest in the country]; in Lenevka Villaga north of Yevpatoriya for US$92 million and 142 berths; in Sudak for US$36 million for 148 berths; and another one in Kerch with an investment of US$19 million and 200 berths. In the latter, however, we are talking mostly about modernisation as a marina is already operating,” explained Sergei Kovelenko, spokesman for the Infrastructure Department at the Crimea Government.
“Direct investment from private companies is mostly welcome for the implementation of each project, but we are able to consider public and private partnership with the construction of relevant hydraulic structures. According to estimates from the Economy Development Ministry, the payback
period for each project is seven years and we expect that commissioning of these marinas should give strong impetus to the development of yachting in our region,” he added.
At the same time, the Crimean and Krasnodar Krai projects - initially announced in 2014 – have lacked progress over the past one and half years. According to market participants, the development of the marina business in the Crimea is potentially interesting, but most investors refrain from bringing their money to the peninsula so as not to be subject to international sanctions. Special bodies in Ukraine are making lists of Russian and foreign companies operating in the Crimea and giving these lists to European Union authorities. This means that even the largest state owned companies, like Rosatom Corporation, are barred from any projects in the peninsula.
Given this and the never ending systemic problems, it is actually hard to believe that any of the publicised projects could really get off the ground within coming years.
MARINA PLANNING & DESIGN
A destination to exceed expectations
If Porto Montenegro put Montenegro on the yachting map, the €650 million luxury Portonovi Resort Village – under development on the shores of picturesque Boka Bay – will further reinforce the country’s reputation as a stunningly beautiful tax-friendly destination for global travellers and nautical tourists. Carol Fulford visited the site.
Covering 26 hectares (64 acres), the Portonovi plot is one of the biggest marina resort development sites in the Mediterranean and is set to become a lushly landscaped, highly exclusive retreat for discerning residents and visitors. Nearly 300 properties with spectacular views will sit on a narrow part of the bay, at the doorstep of a stretch of fjord-like coastline that offers quick access to the Adriatic. The Portonovi Marina will feature 220 berths for vessels up to 70m (230ft) in length in 6.5 hectares (16 acres) of waterspace. Seasonally, Portonovi will be able to berth the largest superyachts afloat on an alongside berth.
Ahmet Erentok, chairman of Azmont Investments, owner of Portonovi, in a presentation at the official launch event held in London in July, commented: “We are creating a destination that will exceed expectations, providing some of today’s most enriching experiences that will become tomorrow’s benchmarks.”
“From the high level of preregistrations we have already received, we have every reason to expect strong
sales from the outset, and we look forward to welcoming the first residents to Portonovi next year,” he added.
Creating a marina
Due to open in 2017, Portonovi Marina incorporates a number of berths for small boats owned by resort residents
CGI (left) shows sky villas with infinity pools overlooking the marina and (below) the entire marina layout with a variety of berth sizes.
and a selection of berths for visiting yachts and superyachts. The marina has been designed by UK-based Marina Projects Ltd, which also provided marina consultancy services to Adriatic Marinas throughout the development of Porto Montenegro. Azmont awarded the contract to supply all the floating structures to Marinetek, and breakwater and pontoon elements throughout the project will be anchored by Seaflex. The contract is one of the most prestigious received by Marinetek in a decade.
Preparing the site for the marina basin posed an initial challenge.
“Clearance was very costly as the area is a former military site with hazardous waste,” confirmed Jeff Houlgrave, senior associate for Marina Projects.
“Around 80,000m³ (105,000yd3) of dredging spoil was used to fill a natural underwater trench, however, and due to the position of the site no serious ongoing maintenance dredging will ever be required,” he added.
Creating a calm marina basin is paramount, particularly for a marina resort of this quality. “The biggest problem is the wash from passing ships that approach the marina at a near 50° angle,” Houlgrave explained. A fixed breakwater surrounding the marina with a 7m (23ft) deep outer wave skirt has been installed using panels manufactured by Serbian company
The PacsoftNG System is the most comprehensive marina and boatyard management system available. It allows you to streamline marina operations enabling maximisation of revenue opportunities, providing insights and analysis.
Supporting all the needs of your business to maximise growth.
Our integrated software solution features a wide range of tools including the following:
› Visual Marina & Boatyard
› Mobile Device Enabled
› Marina and Drystack Booking and Management
› Business Process Wizards
› Haulout and Yard Management
› Smart Invoicing & Account Processing ...... and much much more!
We are excited to be attending METSTRADE 2016 in Amsterdam from 15-17 November.
We will be performing live demonstrations of the PacsoftNG system and would love to see you there. Visit us at stand MYP.05.121
www.pacsoftmms.com
MARINA PLANNING & DESIGN
Aquamont. Aquamont has also undertaken the huge job of installing a series of 523 interconnected piles that support the fixed piers. Due to the deep water, a number of the piles are over 55m (180ft) long.
Responding to Marina Projects’ challenging specification for floating equipment, Marinetek used a wide variety of pontoon and breakwater types. Finger pontoons were incorporated in berths up to 15m (49ft) and ‘Super Yacht’ pontoons and all-concrete ‘Heavy Duty’ pontoons used for the main piers. These are connected by semi-flexible rubber shock absorbers and steel screws for minimal maintenance and long service life.
Marinetek has designed and manufactured a floating wave attenuator to protect the marina from north-easterly winds. This outer breakwater is 180m (590ft) long and has been constructed using Marinetek’s giant 20m (65ft) long x 5m (16ft) wide type M5300BRK breakwater units with side keels. Manufacture has been a marker event for Croatia-based Marinetek NCP. “This breakwater pontoon has been proven at marinas such as Aker Brygge in Oslo, Norway and Palm Harbor in Florida, USA but has never been used in the Mediterranean before,” said Marinetek NCP managing director Boris Miškic. “One of the modules for Portonovi was also the thousandth pontoon to be built at our factory in Šibenik,” he added proudly.
Coordinating experts
Such a demanding upscale project requires a bevy of experts and excellent lines of communication. Coordination is key. Marina Projects, as specialist marina consultant, has taken a proactive role in the design coordination and delivery of the marina and integration with the shoreline elements, working with Harper Downie Architects (master planners and architects of the Lower Village and Fisherman’s Wharf), Alpina, MLC, Landmark Landscape Architects and CallisonRTKL (architects of the Middle Village, Upper Village and Marina Apartments) as well as the main contractor for Portonovi, Italian construction company Impresa Pizzarotti & Cie.
Working on the pontoon infrastructure in the Portonovi marina basin.
“We’ve been responsible for liaising with the project team, the engineering contractor and client members as required to manage the programme and deliver the final product,” noted Houlgrave, who has spent a high proportion of his time over the past two years on the Portonovi site. “The government regulated the number of berths for the size of the site and its position and we then developed a berth mix to maximise the opportunity and meet client objectives,” he said. “Our experience in designing Porto Montenegro over the past eight years and our understanding of Montenegrin regulations have been real benefits,” he added.
The marina elements have also become designer elements. “There have been several special design extras,” Houlgrave confirmed. “The fixed pier, for example, has a specially designed bulbous overhand to soften the edge. The stone for this was mixed and moulded and manufactured in Bosnia. Although it seems a small thing, it was an engineering challenge and is a good example of the minor details that lift the quality of the site.”
Pre-cast planters, the mixed stone designs for roads and walkways, and lighting systems are further examples. “We want a unified lighting scheme and will work with a pedestal company to develop a light that, if financially feasible, will continue the ambience we intend to create.”
Special design elements, such as this bulbous overhang, lift the quality of the site.
MARINA PLANNING & DESIGN
Green space is perhaps even more important than lit space and is incorporated wherever possible. The marina operations building, for example - reduced in revised plans from twoto one-storey - has part-green roof terracing (ideal for small functions). Full drainage to capture rainwater run-off throughout the site will be used to sustain a lush planting scheme. “The landscaping is going to make all the difference to this project,” Houlgrave asserted.
Realising the resort
Portonovi is designed as an elegant Montenegrin village that reflects local Dalmatian architecture with a hint of city style. It is built primarily on land reclaimed from the sea by the Montenegrin Navy 100 years ago and sits between steeply sloping mountains and the water’s edge. In a vibrant use of mixed space, the village will incorporate 290 residential properties, from luxurious spacious townhouses and apartments to stylish villas in landscaped gardens, penthouse apartments and sky villas with infinity pools overlooking the marina.
Property buyers are offered a selection of layout options by renowned architects Harper Downie and CallisonRTKL. Harrods
Interiors has completed an entirely bespoke interior design scheme for the show apartment in the Lower Village. Clients can select elements, from furniture to wall coverings, or an entire scheme. Due for completion in the second half of 2017, available properties are now being offered in the Lower Village and in the Marina Apartments.
Portonovi will also be home to Europe’s first One&Only resort (One&Only Portonovi). Opening in 2018, it will feature around 140 ultraluxury guest rooms, suites and villas, an Espace Chenot Health Wellness
Spa, restaurants with awardwinning chefs, and world-renowned boutiques. Additional upscale designer boutiques will also be positioned to overlook the marina. Curving around the edge of Portonovi village, Portonovi Marina perfectly connects the overall sense of landside luxury with the clear waters of the bay and its offering to berth holders of vessels of all sizes will be supported by the Portonovi Yacht Club; a membersonly facility that will be the focal point of the marina. Created by Andrew Winch of award-winning British studio Winch Design, a highly recognised name in the yachting industry and a luxury designer brand, the club building takes the natural environment as its design theme and will be an extraordinary icon that glides out from the pier into the water.
Delivering a destination
As the closest Montenegrin port to the Adriatic and with perfect access to airports in Dubrovnik and Tivat, the owners believe that Portonovi will “quickly become an unrivalled yearround destination.”
The marina will soft open next year in readiness for a major opening ceremony in 2018. Marina Projects is providing the client team with advice on operational matters that will extend through the business planning process, during the marina commissioning and at hand-over stage.
Above & right: Artist’s impressions of the Lower Village, due for completion in the second half of 2017.
Providing independent and bespoke services to clients worldwide
Masterplanning
Feasibility studies and market research
Business planning
Marina and Marina Club design
Investment appraisal
Tender and project management
Environmental and legislative advice
Legal and property consultancy services
MARINA PLANNING & DESIGN
Multi-year phasing plan regenerates Santa Barbara Marina
by Robert Wilkes
Large rebuilding projects are usually done in phases, but Santa Barbara’s Marina One Replacement Project takes this simple concept to an all new level. The $14 million rebuild was originally planned in ten phases over 20 years, but as financial and operational goals were met, city managers were able to consolidate the project into eight phases over nine years.
An incremental approach
Marina One encompasses over 500 of the 1,139 slips in Santa Barbara Marina. Karl Treiberg, waterfront facilities manager for the City of Santa Barbara, explained why the decadelong approach. “If we borrowed $14 million all at once,” he said, “the debt service would have required large slip-rate increases. The incremental approach allowed the city to hold rates in line with minimal annual increases in slip fees.”
To finance the project, Santa Barbara secured a series of loans from California’s Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund administered by the State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways. The City of Santa Barbara funded the design and created a “shovel ready” project which helped expedite the loan application process and secure funds. The state committed the funds and the city drew from the funds as needed. “It was similar to a home equity line of credit,” said Treiberg. “We only serviced the debt on
funds borrowed for each individual phase of the project. The savings were significant. The city will construct Phase 7 this fall and complete the project with Phase 8 this winter.”
Contractor selection
Bellingham Marine was selected to manufacture and install docks in the first bid package, including Phase 1, the marginal walk. The second and third
bid packages (for phases 2 through to 4 and for phases 5 through to 8, respectively) were also awarded to Bellingham Marine, this time as prime contractor. Bellingham Marine’s Unifloat floating concrete pontoons are installed throughout Marina One to maintain a consistent appearance and to simplify operations and maintenance. The docks are manufactured in Bellingham’s Dixon, CA, facility.
An escalation clause
Each of the three bid packages was awarded through a low-bidder selection process. Because some phases spanned four years, city managers included an escalation clause in the bid package that set aside money to be paid to the contractors to account for inflation. The amounts were calculated using the Construction Cost Index published annually in Engineering News-Record (ENR).
The ENR Index is a trusted measure of inflation in labour and materials and is specified by region. The escalation clause relieved uncertainty for the bidder and allowed Santa Barbara to receive true low bids not adjusted upward by estimates for inflation. In the actual event, a downturn in the California economy kept inflation low and the city did not use all the funds set aside in the escalation clause.
Ryan Pennell
Looking down the marginal walkway or ‘spine’ of Santa Barbara Marina.
Phasing plan for the marina rebuild project.
MARINA PLANNING & DESIGN
A unique system of slip transfers
Santa Barbara Marina, with slips from 20ft to 125ft (6m to 40m), thrives in one of California’s most desirable places to live. The marina is always 100% full, and there is a long waiting list. The tenants regard themselves as owners, not renters, of slips, and they have a homeowner’s pride of place and interest in the operation of the marina.
When Marina One opened in 1975, Santa Barbara Marina issued transferable permits to vessel owners. The permit holders pay rental fees as in any other marina. The terms of the permit allow them to transfer not just a boat but also the slip upon sale of their vessel. Holders possess the permit for as long as they want and can transfer it whenever they want to. This anomalous system has created a unique situation.
Slip permits are transferable and valuable. They can sell for $30,000 to $100,000 or more depending on slip size and slip market conditions. The harbour administration charges a transfer fee generating much needed revenue for harbour operations. Despite the fees, slip transfers are common while vacancies are normally zero. Late payment of rental fees is rare; lease holders would not jeopardise their valuable asset.
But not everyone is happy. Waiting lists for slips are long and move slowly. The city council has had objections about families passing the slips down to their children, perpetuating family
ownership. The council has decided a spouse can inherit but not children.
Knowing that their tenants view their slip much as homeowners view their homes, city managers are especially considerate of their needs.
The marina backbone Imagine a spinal transplant while the patient is awake. “Phase 1 was the backbone of the marina,” said Eric Noegel, manager of project development, Southwest Division of Bellingham Marine. “We installed a new land-side electrical service, a new gangway, and then began the replacement of the 1,180ft (360m) marginal walk. The owner wanted virtually no disruption of the tenants and wanted the utilities to remain in service to the greatest extent possible. It was challenging work and the most
Karl Treiberg, waterfront facilities manager for City of Santa Barbara, has been instrumental in organising the eight-phase rebuild plan.
complex phasing I’ve ever been involved in.”
The city team had a general plan for replacing the marginal walk, or “spine,” and asked Bellingham Marine to figure out how to do it. The solution involved building the new dock alongside the old. New dock modules extended out from the gangway until they intersected a main walk, then workers removed a section of the main walkway to make a space for the new marginal walk to pass through. Temporary steel ramps were installed to bridge the structures.
John Wratten, Bellingham Marine’s project manager, explained: “We had to maintain customer access 100% of the time. The sewer could not be down at all. It served two floating restrooms in the marina. The most impressive part of the job was the one-day shift from the old marginal walk to the new in 14 hours. One by one, we peeled out a module of the old dock and slid in a new one. Then we connected all utilities. Tenants could walk out to the boats while this was going on. At no time were marina operations shut down.”
All utilities were installed in the new marginal walk and transformers were placed in readiness for later installation on main walkways. Following the installation of the marginal walk, work to complete the rebuild was done in short phases. “Rather than displace large numbers of boats at the same time,” said Treiberg, “we phased the project so
Docks on the main walkway are wide and uncluttered.
Ryan Pennell
Ryan Pennell
With over 40 years of planning and running marinas across the globe, MDL Marina Consultancy is the team to turn to for full service marina business advice.
Our marina professionals have experience across the marina business, so we have the specialist know-how to support you at every stage of the journey. We’ll work with you to extract the very best results and make your plans succeed.
The close teamwork and tailored consultancy we offer is the advantage that will deliver vibrant, profitable leisure destinations with the foundations to deliver long term results.
only 30 to 60 boats were affected. The next nearest marina is 24 miles (39km) from here, so we couldn’t send them elsewhere. We scheduled the work in the middle of winter when ample transient moorage was available.”
With the completion of each section, electrical transformer stations that had been in readiness on the marginal walk were moved to their final locations on the main walks. Bellingham Marine’s Electrical Division provided temporary jumper connections so electric utilities could be quickly reconnected as the project gradually unfolded.
The rebuild was “like for like.” Existing slip sizes were considered appropriate for Santa Barbara’s unique market, and city planners wanted to avoid complex environmental permitting. No new piling was needed, with the exception of four piles driven for the addition of four slips during Phase 2.
Three generations of marina technology
“Here in our marina you can see dock design evolution for the last 40 years,” said Treiberg. “Marina One was completed in 1975 with external
MARINA PLANNING & DESIGN
utilities exposed to salt and weather. Our 1998 extension had utilities in the docks. Access was difficult and we were unable to detect leaks. Our new docks feature electrical utility runs under the decks with access panels, and domestic water, fire water and sewer on the side where we access them and detect leaks.” Santa Barbara’s phasing plan surely required foresight
and patience, but it accomplished the city’s objectives. “We realised significant savings,” added Treiberg, “and our tenants are extremely pleased with the way the project was managed and executed.”
Robert Wilkes writes about the marina industry from Bellevue, Washington, USA.
Located in one of the most desirable places to live in California, Santa Barbara Marina is always at full occupancy and there is a long waiting list for slips.
Ryan Pennell
on the water and everywhere
La Paz, Mexico, 5 October,
A hurricane state of emergency is declared by the Mexican authorities
MANUFACTURER OF PONTOONS AND MARINA EQUIPMENT
"In Lower California, marinas are exposed regularly to tropical storms"
Tropical storm «Norbert», which started life last week in the Eastern Pacific, has gathered force in the last few hours. On the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale, it should reach the Mexican area of Lower California (the La Paz area) on Friday evening, by which time it will certainly have grown in strength to category 3 (out of 5 categories), with gusts of wind reaching over 210 km/h, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Each component of the pontoons, as well as the Marina anchoring, must be absolutely perfect to resist extreme climatic conditions. Our Marina has already weathered several hurricanes, without any damage to the equipment supplied by Poralu.
We are absolutely satisfied with their reliability.
Andres Barrera Peralta Manager, Marina Escale Nautique
Marina da Glória, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
MARINA PLANNING & DESIGN
Porto Lotti adds floating superyacht pier
When it completed in 1996, Porto Lotti was the first marina in the Gulf of La Spezia in northern Italy and opened up the local region to yachtsmen from near and far. To mark its 20th anniversary, the marina is in the process of adding new superyacht berthing at a custom designed floating breakwater pier.
No stranger to the superyacht sector as it already counts 40 superyacht berths in its mix of 560, Porto Lotti is investing in the extension to help meet continuous requests for larger berths and provide a transit dock for vessels up to 180m (590ft); one of very few in the area.
The new pier, built by SF Marina and anchored by Seaflex, also has 14 permanent berths for vessels up to 80m (262ft) and is suitably complemented by excellent facilities and power supplies up to 800A 220/380V. An area has been reserved for tenders although these can be stored ashore or remain afloat. Eight of the 14 berths have been built and are now operational and the remainder are due to be completed over the next two years. All are available on a short-, medium- or long-term rental basis and include a “sophisticated package of services”.
Continued success
Porto Lotti owes its success to the vision and determined commitment of entrepreneur Luciano Lotti who created the leisure hub on the site of an industrial ship breaking yard. The project was launched in 1985 and
work began in 1990. Six years later, the marina’s concrete docks were in place and success was immediate as big names in the worlds of finance, business, sport and show business moored up their yachts.
The entire project was privately funded and the marina has benefited from continuous investment – and continued success. This is also due to its special geographical location. Surrounded by an area rich in art, history and tradition, with a good yearround climate, it is a short drive from the popular tourist destinations of Cinque Terre and the timeless beauty of Tuscany. The new superyacht pier (above) adds valuable extra berthing at Porto Lotti (right).
Full facilities
Porto Lotti’s exclusive amenities and the attention given to captains and crew, who receive special privileges, make it an ideal superyacht destination. Leisure facilities include a restaurant, bar, beauty salon, swimming pool, tennis courts, cinema and marketplace. It also has a congress room, heliport, bank, landside fuel station and 100m (328ft) long fuel dock.
In a reflection of its commercial shipping roots, the marina offers extensive services for vessel maintenance and has a 160 tonne boat hoist. Services range from towing to carpentry, and the yard has years of experience in painting, using all modern equipment and methods. It also refits vintage vessels and rebuilds, modernises or modifies interiors to all specifications. Open and covered storage is available for vessels up to 40m (131ft) in length.
The marina is undoubtedly geared up for visitors and 20% of its berths are for transient yachts that usually stay for 30 to 40 days. The bulk of the berths (80%) are occupied by annual berth holders. All benefit from the marina’s policy on privacy and security, described by a marina spokesman as offering “efficient but discreet control”. The marina and its secure berths are monitored 24/7 by marina staff and a camera surveillance system. Land access to the port – both entry and exit – is controlled at a gated reception. Private guard services can be provided upon request.
As a testimony to the quality of its services and its environmental practices, Porto Lotti is a five-star facility, as certified under the MaRina Excellence classification from Registro Italiano Navale.
MARINA PLANNING & DESIGN
Marasi Business Bay: “Major future landmark”
Few cities can beat Dubai’s dynamic pace of development. With the Dubai Water Canal project fast taking shape and expected to be complete by the end of the year, Dubai Holdings has now unveiled plans for Marasi Business Bay, the first port of call along the canal. When complete, it will be a low-rise, sprawling mega-hub connecting the Dubai Water Canal to the Persian Gulf via the popular tourist spots of Safa Park and Jumeirah.
The ambitious development includes plans for five marinas, lined with palm trees, to be built along the canal waterfront. The longest promenade in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), almost 12km (7.4 miles) long and up to 15m (49ft) wide, will be built to connect three main areas: a yacht club, park and pier. Marasi Bay will be home to luxury water homes, a myriad of retail options, floating restaurants and leisure facilities. Touted as Dubai’s “major future landmark”, it is expected to be the region’s first ever purposebuilt yachting destination.
Early completions
Work is already well under way, with the construction and opening of the promenade set to complete by the end of the year, as part of the first phase. Set to be significantly longer than the promenade offered at Dubai Marina, it will feature a range of local and international businesses. Around 250,000m² (28,997yd²) of open space will include parks and the waterfront. It will be lined by over 100 shops and outlets and the overall park area will be divided into 16 separate parks, boasting
water features and a dedicated events space with amphitheatre, outdoor cinema and weekly markets.
The first phase will also focus on construction of the park and yacht club, which includes development of the five marinas. These will have a total of 1,500 berths and offer onshore boutique shopping and a range of leisure facilities. There will be provisions for visiting boats, and permanent
berths will be available for owners of both superyachts and smaller boats. No timeline has been confirmed for the completion of each phase, but the first is expected to be largely complete by the end of next year. All works are expected to be finished by 2023.
Later phases will build what Dubai Holdings claims are the region’s first water homes, which will all have boat access. U+A Architects, an international design firm with offices in Canada and the UAE will build approximately 150 of these luxury homes, with sizes starting from 139m² (1,500ft²). To be managed by Dubai Properties, units will come in two- and three-bedroom options.
A central location
Located just a short walk from downtown Dubai and the central Sheikh Zayed road – home to most of the city’s skyscrapers – the bay is well-placed to welcome visiting boats. Local attractions include the Deira Twin Towers, the Dubai Creek Tower and Dubai Museum.
Abdulla M Lahej, CEO of Dubai Properties, said: “The Business Bay landscape will be redefined with the opening of [the] promenade and Dubai Water Canal.
“The AED1bn (US$272 million) Marasi Business Bay mixed-use destination, as it weaves its way into the fabric of the city, will become synonymous with what Dubai has to offer ahead of the World Expo 2020, and in line with the Dubai Plan 2021, to create a smart and sustainable city with happy people.”
CGIs of water homes and marina berths, as designed by international design firm U+A.
Markel's marina policies are tailored for you To find out how ask your broker See you in November at ICOMIA 2016
Martini Marinas floating pontoons. The best, from all points of the compass.
Mets Amsterdam 15/17 November 2016 stand MYP05.409
Martini Alfredo S.p.A.
Via Centro Industriale Europeo, 43 P.O. Box 30 - 22078 Turate (CO) - Italy
Netherlands / Belgium T. +31 6 46140603 info@aquamore.info
MARKET UPDATE: GREECE
Privatisation boosts prospects for foreign investors
Marina World’s Greek correspondent, Eliza Salpisti, interviews Stergios Pitsiorlas, chairman of HRADF and the mind behind the development of Greece’s assets.
Eliza Salpisti (ES): Please tell us about the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) and its role in the Greek economy.
Stergios Pitsiorlas (SP): HRADF is currently materialising a specific privatisation programme, which is part of an overall agreement concluded between the country and its lenders. The main objective is to obtain revenues, which will service the country’s debt while, at the same time, changing the Greek economy’s structure and reducing the role of the state. I personally attach particular importance to the dynamics created by the privatisation programme as well as to the opening of great prospects for attracting foreign investment to Greece.
ES: How does HRADF attract international capital to the country?
Privatisation of Alimos Marina is HRADF’s first goal.
SP: An outstanding example is the concession of the country’s two big ports. The geographic position of Greece enables the country to
Stergios Pitsiorlas: “I profoundly believe that Greece is currently faced with a great opportunity to become a very important country in the field of sea transport as well as in the maritime industry.”
become an important hub in the entire network of global intermodal transport. This is actually the reason why such a big Chinese interest was expressed in the port of Piraeus and why such international interest was expressed in the port of Thessaloniki. The concession of these ports to big international companies also paves the way for the upgrading of the role of the railways and the creation of important logistic centres etc. The same applies in the energy sector, the tourism sector and so on. The materialisation of the privatisation programme allows Greece to take full advantage of its strengths, cooperate with big global players in various sectors and fields, and create new and important prospects which will revitalise major sectors of its economy and integrate the country into the international scene.
ES: How is HRADF associated with Greece’s tourist ports infrastructure? SP: HRADF’s portfolio includes tourist ports and marinas. Therefore, the fund has a direct involvement in the whole issue. In my opinion, the problem related to marinas is still a major one for Greece. Our country has every prerequisite and great potential to become the centre of maritime tourism in the Mediterranean, but must rapidly obtain the infrastructure needed for such a goal to be made possible. In these frames, HRADF will undertake key initiatives. The privatisation of
MARKET UPDATE: GREECE
important tourist infrastructure will create new and great potential for tourism development. Examples include Cosco’s objective to turn the port of Piraeus into a cruise home port in the Mediterranean and the privatisation of key marine tourism infrastructure.
ES: Describe the privatisation model for HRADF’s tourist ports portfolio and how you associate it with Greece’s significant prospects for becoming an international centre of marine tourism.
SP: The first goal is the privatisation of the marina in Alimos, Athens. We have already hired advisors and the tender processes will be initiated towards the end of this year. The second goal is to announce, in collaboration with the Port Authorities of Corfu and Igoumenitsa, tenders for the construction and management of important marinas in the said areas. I believe that for that region as well, important steps will be made by the end of this year. Pylos Marina in Messinia will follow. The third goal is related to a significant number of marinas in the North Aegean region: the tender for the concession of the marina in Kalamaria, in the wider area of Thessaloniki, will be launched immediately, while we are in consultation with the Port Authorities of Kavala and Alexandroupolis as well as with the respective municipalities regarding the construction of big marinas in the two cities. Finally, we are collaborating with the municipality of Mykonos and soon we will have a clear proposal/perspective for the ports and marinas in the island. In my view, this programme can result in an initial but considerable improvement of the general picture and pave the way for other more ambitious projects/ plans. I have to say that the years of 2016 and 2017 will be very crucial for sea tourism since the foundations for a major upgrade of marine tourism infrastructure will be laid and there will be extensive planning for the use of marinas, tourist ports and the old parts of the country’s major ports.
ES: What is the status of ‘The Hellinikon’ project in the Athenian Riviera - one of the most successful of HRADF’s recent achievements?
SP: Following the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding for ‘The Hellinikon’ project, the amended agreement was ratified by Parliament in September. After the ratification, the procedures related to the licensing
of the project will be initiated. The objective is for the project to be initiated in 2017. It will be the largest urban renewal project to be implemented throughout Europe in coming years and it will decisively contribute to the development of the Greek economy as well as to the emergence of Athens as an international tourist destination.
ES: The investment approval time is a decisive factor for attracting investment interest. Does HRADF intend to cooperate with the respective authorities in an effort to reduce investment approval time for tourist port projects? Are there any plans for fast track investments, especially in the form of tourist port networks?
SP: The institutional framework for fast track licensing of investment strategies exists and it will be utilised. But the collapse of licensing times for investment projects remains a main challenge. I am aware that the Ministry of Economy is working intensively in this direction and there will soon be results.
ES: Given your love of the sea and as a sailor, please share with us your vision for the development and support of Greece’s nautical athletics associations (yachting clubs) as a
driving force for the development of our country’s nautical tradition and as a key component for marine tourism and for successful marina operation.
SP: The development of watersports cannot be treated as a typical objective for Greece when compared to other objectives. The sea and seamanship are the soul of Greece. They are the womb of Greek culture and will always be the way for Greeks and Greece to develop and grow. Seeing things this way, I believe that in the context of any planning related to the development of watersports, adequate space must always be provided for the development of watersports as well as for the maritime education of all Greeks, if possible, from an even earlier age.
ES: Please share with us your message to the global marina industry for Greece’s potential.
SP: I profoundly believe that Greece is currently faced with a great opportunity to become a very important country in the field of sea transport as well as in the maritime industry. A plan and alliances are required but, above all, what is required is the utilisation of the country’s comparative advantages, the most important being the human resources available.
Whether you’re managing the largest international harbour, or an independent family-run marina, keeping a tight ship is critical.
• Secure “Cloud” based solution, accessed from any location, on any device.
• Integrated CRM, every customer, all of their contact and boat info, preferences & history.
• Bulk invoicing, Contract renewals, emailing, letters, SMS and e-marketing.
• Full operational and financial reporting.
• Instant “Live” view of Customers, including their Vessels, Contracts, Renewals, Payments and Communications.
• Mobile and online payments built in.
• Location/Asset Management, Maintenance scheduling and logging, Task Management and Resource scheduling.
• Military-Grade Hosting; ISO 27001:2005 Audited and Certified and PCI Level 1 Certified.
• Data is 100% safe and 100% protected.
MARKETING
Connecting boaters with marinas – the integrated approach
When Joy McPeters – an avid boater - founded Marinalife nearly 17 years ago, her mission was to connect boaters with marinas. After years of building, honing, revising and perfecting the Marinalife formula, amassing a database of over 9,000 marinas and helping tens of thousands of boaters to make the very best of their boating experience, the Marinalife team believes it’s time for a new website and more comprehensive services.
“Our main vision stays the same – empowering boaters,” McPeters explains. “But we took a step back and thought about all of the tools and resources a boater would ever need to plan an overnight voyage, to find the best fuel prices, to make online slip reservations.”
In early 2017, a bigger and better Marinalife.com will go live, offering boaters better search facilities and a
wealth of extra information, and giving partner marinas unique marketing opportunities.
“Google assumes you don’t know where you want to go and this is the model we’re adopting,” she reveals. “We’re offering information, reviews, boater stories and itinerary samples before it comes to making a reservation. We’re looking at it as a full
circle and adding a concierge service for anything people can’t find.”
Key to the website revision is enhancing the search bar, making it very comprehensive and thus able to bring in better results. “You can refine your search very specifically and access a ‘whole experience’, learn about everything that’s going on. It’s going to be a travel service.”
Like many changes and improvements in the company’s 17-year journey, the new thinking is customer led. Marinalife frequently researches and uncovers the information boaters care about and want to find. Top of the list are the ‘Popular Destinations’ – detailed information in an A-Z of specific locations in the USA, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean – and the ‘Cruising with Members’ reviews.
“These reviews are direct feedback as they’re written by actual boaters,” McPeters asserts, “and they’re extremely popular as are the destination articles. But images are really key. We’re going to include more video footage – for individual marinas
and for destinations in general – to significantly upgrade the visual aspect of the website.”
The extra coverage will impact positively on listed marinas. “We have partner marinas and will continue to expand on these. We really see ourselves as an extension to a marina as we can help to bridge gaps whether for annual, seasonal or transient slip occupancy,” she continues, moving on to outline the new online opportunities. “We’ve always had an integrated approach for our advertising packages when it comes to Marinalife magazine and the website but we are now looking at digital-only packages as well. These will be really robust and cover a number of unique offerings – sponsoring destination pages in video or banner ad format for example. We will have a specific area on our home page for video promotions and companies will be able to upload 15 second adverts. Companies will also be able to sponsor cruise itineraries.”
A fluid format is envisioned. “We want advertising that looks like it’s
MARKETING
part of the site, that integrates really well with the page. And we’re looking at more sponsored content and advertorials.”
Covering all opportunities, Marinalife has an active blog and growing social media community, and McPeters reports consistent growth with the quarterly Marinalife lifestyle
magazine.“We’re continuing to work to give boaters the best possible resource and help marinas, not only fill slips, but sell the boating experience. An integrated approach seems to make most sense.”
Joy McPeters, founder of Marinalife, is poised to relaunch the website to offer boaters and marinas a more comprehensive resource.
CREATING CERTAINTY
Our clients value a team of insurance professionals with a global outlook and worldwide resources. They value the reassurance of round-the-clock support and expert advice. And they value long-standing, trusted relationships. Marinasure. Insurance services for the marina and the marine trade market. www.hiscoxmga.com
TALKING SHOP
Les Marines de Cogolin: the complementary port of St Tropez
Together with Port Grimaud, Les Marines de Cogolin marina has turned the bay of St Tropez in the south of France into a paradise for boaters. Upon discovering that further improvements are on the cards, Donatella Zucca invited Michelle Mauduit, president of the owners’ association, and port director, Claude Robert, to talk shop.
Despite being located just 3km (1.86 miles) from iconic St Tropez and adjacent to the lakeside town of Port Grimaud – one of the most visited places in France – the tourist harbour of Les Marines de Cogolin has not been overshadowed. Surrounded by the scenic Meures hills and the natural beauty of Provence, the marina started to take shape in 1968 when an idea to transform a marsh into a boating oasis was backed by a Rothschild financial deal.
The developers obtained a concession for 50 years and the right to sell shares for this term. This agreement should have expired in 2019 but has been revised to end in 2018 because the entire area including the marina is being targeted for redevelopment. The project aims to attract larger boats. When the concession expires, the marina will become the responsibility of the Municipality of Cogolin, which will manage it for 35 years directly or indirectly. The existing management
Les
three
a total of
arrangement could be retained or changed; all is under discussion. Current berth holders will be able to continue to rent berths for specific periods or buy leases for 15, 25 or 35 years.
From the outset, Les Marines de Cogolin has been a marina in all respects except for where its river frontage borders the lakeside village. The development has grown up around a ‘sea’ of water that is on average 4m (13ft) deep and divided into three basins that offer a total of 1,600 berths. Access to the berths and the varied residences, is via an 85m (279ft) wide channel protected by two dams measuring 600m (1,968ft) and 400m (1,312ft) wide.
Esbjerg Denmark 2015 2 pontoons 35 x 5,00 meter We
Save up to 30%
• Floating breakwaters up to 8 metres wide
• Commercial pontoons up to 35 metres long x 200 tonnes
• We build ‘on site’
• No transport costs saving you 30% or more
Left: The marina at
Marines de Cogolin is divided into
basins and offers
1,600 berths. Above l to r: Michelle Mauduit, president of SAPP, with Claude Robert, port director since 2004.
Les Marines may be less well known than its neighbours but is one of the largest and best equipped ports on the French Mediterranean coast. Affiliated to the Fédération Française des Ports de Plaisance (FFPP) and a member of the Union des Ports de Plaisance de la Région PACA, the marina concession is owned by the Société Anonyme du Port de Plaisance (SAPP), which manages common areas and services on behalf of the Trade Union Association Marine Cogolin (ASMC). The Municipality of Cogolin plays an important role in governing marina activities.
Like any good marina, Les Marines has various environmental accreditations – like Ports Propres and Pavillon Bleu – and has good on-site services and amenities that include full refit and maintenance services at the Monaco Marine shipyard, which has 28,000m² (301,389ft²) of space, and a large fuel dock.
Les Marines has to date passed successfully through economic crises, changes in boating habits and boat owner demands and looks forward to fresh challenges. The concession arrangement will in no way disrupt the current management system, which operates as follows:
Donatella Zucca (DZ): How do you manage the water space?
Michelle Mauduit (MM): Our company is private and comprises 1200 shareholders but its title does not automatically give a right to water space. In order to have this, you have
TALKING SHOP
to sign a contract for a berth, the size of which varies according to the number of shares.
DZ: You can have a berth without owning an apartment?
MM: Yes. The port was developed with an obligation to offer public berths. We manage 400 berths for this purpose. The Municipality of Cogolin will resume management of these when the concession expires and plans to increase the size of the berths within the same water area.
DZ: Your business is positive?
MM: Yes it is, and always has been.
And the key to the success, above all, is the space. Ours is an open site with plenty of room for visitors to our restaurants and shops. Manoeuvring boats is easy because we have an extremely generous water plan. Facilities are also adequate and are good value for money. Our rates include car parking, Wi-Fi, weather information and pump-out.
DZ: The municipality plays an important role in all decision making?
MM: A protection authority called the Conseil Portuaire, chaired by the Mayor of Cogolin, meets once a year. Everything concerning our activities including company accounts and determination of berthing fees is examined in comparison with all marinas along the entire Mediterranean coast.
DZ: Can boat owners sub-let their berths?
MM: It is tolerated at the moment but is really against regulations. There are people who rent out to help cover their costs but they should do it via the port authority, which charges a fee but can help find customers. Renting public berths is forbidden.
DZ: I see that you now have maxiyachts and their crews at the marina. This was not the case a few years ago. Are you organised to welcome them?
Above & left: Villas provide privacy in a scenic, lushly landscaped Mediterranean haven.
Founded in the mid 1980s to promote professional education, training and certification, the IMI runs many courses, seminars and classes including the highly respected Certified Marina Management (CMM) programme.
MDL Marina Consultancy offers a full service providing specialist marina business advice and solutions to clients worldwide. Its aim is always to create vibrant and profitable leisure destinations with long term commercial viability.
MIA is the industry association for the marina industries in Australia and the Asia Pacific region. MIA conducts marina training, professional certification, International Clean Marina and Gold Anchor accreditation, research and promotion.
The world’s only A-Z reference and training document on how to administer, manage and operate a marina efficiently, safely and profitably. Marina Matters SL
Spain T:+34 667 494 858 marinamatters@siches.com
Design and operation of yacht harbours and marinas, general consultancy on marinas, design of marina elements, operations assessments, operations manual creation and marketing.
Marine Business Advisors
USA T:+1 561 346 9580 jimb@marineba.com www.marineba.com
Boatyard, marina and marine business advisory firm specialising in providing operational, financial, marketing, organisational and business guidance domestically and abroad. 30 years as owner, operator and executive of major yacht businesses. Mymic, LLC
Mymic’s marina safety awareness training was developed with the goal of reducing accidents and injuries among marina personnel. The training tool leverages the benefits of game-based training by allowing trainees to interact with a virtual marina where they identify and learn about areas of a marina that can be hazardous.
PIANC - the global association for waterborne transport infrastructure - is a professional forum established in 1885. It is a leading partner for governmental and private sectors in the design, development and maintenance of ports, waterways and coastal areas. PIANC awards the annual Jack Nichol Marina Design Award (MEDA).
Marina management and consulting (business strategy, marketing, feasibility study) in emerging boating markets. Gold Anchor Scheme representative and assessor for Asian markets.
The Yacht Harbour Association
UK T:+44 (0) 1784 223817
lgordon@britishmarine.co.uk www.tyha.co.uk
Gold Anchor marina classification scheme - promoting quality assured berthing in over 160 marinas in 28 countries. The Gold Anchor Award Scheme is an independent assessment of services and facilities against the TYHA publication ‘A Code of Practice’ and industry best practice. TYHA mentors marinas to achieve the highest rating.
Production, delivery and installation (turnkey) of heavy duty concrete pontoons; various floating structures (e.g. floating hotels, restaurants, swimming pools, offices, nightclubs, houses, breakwaters, port equipment etc). Floating fuel stations for boats, cars, helicopters and planes.
A leading UK supplier of anti-slip glass fibre grating or eco-friendly timber composite planks ideal for new or replacement pontoons, fingers or for gangway decking. All products come with a warranty of up to 25 years.
E2SOL LLC
USA T:+1 401 4892273 info@e2sol.com www.e2sol.com
E2SOL provides renewable energy technologies, develops custom project solutions and offers products designed to maximise energy consumption efficiencies. E2SOL offers its services to the commercial, industrial, marine and recreational vehicles’ renewable energy markets.
Manufacturer and distributor of SaniSailor pump-outs and AquaClean recycling boatwash systems. Products feature industrial grade equipment for superior dependability and low maintenance. EMP works with customers to develop project specific solutions through the company’s Best Marine Solutions division.
Ecotank
France T:+33 658676646 www.azuretrend.com/en
Ecotank is a manufacturer of fixed and mobile equipment for the ecologically sound management of effluents (waste water, oily water etc.). Clients include marinas, shipyards and sailing professionals around the world.
Established in 1859, Edson is a manufacturer of pump-out systems and washdown containment pumps. Pump models include peristaltic, single diaphragm, electric double diaphragm and vacuum pumps. Edson offers a wide range of accessories including hoses, fittings, nozzles, stands, enclosures etc.
Builders of rubbish/flotsam collection boats, weed cutters and mini dredgers.
Kebony AS
Norway T:+47 06125 info@kebony.com www.kebony.com
Kebony is a highly durable, sustainable wood with the aesthetics and performance of the best tropical hardwood. It requires minimum maintenance and brings low life cycle costs.
A world leader in marina sanitation systems. Supplies, designs and manufactures pump-out systems, pumping equipment and fire-fighting solutions. The company uses the highest quality materials, which are designed to handle sanitation waste material and the harsh marina environment.
Liverpool Water Witch
UK T:+44 (0)151 207 4874
info@waterwitch.com www.waterwitch.com
Builders of road transportable waterway clean-up and specialist marina maintenance workboats, barges, dredgers and self-propelled pontoons.
MM: We are not used to large yachts. We are mainly a marina for medium sized boats owned primarily by Europeans and some Russians. We have only recently had large boats in our berths and in this sense we find we are the complementary port of St Tropez, which as you know has limited space and is in great demand. I must say, however, that the crews of big boats are happy to stay here as the atmosphere and all the amenities are good. The customers are demanding but this is to be expected; they spend a lot even if not as much as they would spend in St Tropez.
Claude Robert (CR): I can add more. The crews prefer to stay here. Life is quiet. They do not have to pay for parking and get stuck in traffic like in St Tropez. Here, they can reach St Tropez in a few minutes by motorboat or if they prefer by bike along the bike path. All services, restaurants, clubs etc., are to hand and if the owners want to stay for a few nights in St Tropez in order to be seen in front of Sénéquier, it is easy to satisfy them. Around 40% of the boats at Les Marines de Cogolin spend the winter here. We have an on-site swimming pool, three tennis courts and a boat shuttle service to St Tropez.
DZ: But every year you have to invest in order to keep pace with the times?
MM: Yes. We upgrade infrastructure and maintain the marina and the berths. Given that in the future we will have to respond to more demand from maxiyachts we have to create
appropriate space. This year, for example, we have added two 50m (164ft) berths when our average vessel is 12 to 15m (39 to 49ft). This means extra work on electricity supplies, fuel stations and environmental infrastructure.
DZ (to CR): You have been a director of the marina since 2004. How has the clientele changed over the years?
CR: The yachts are small ships with increasingly demanding customers, particularly when it comes to hospitality. Our success is closely tied to maintaining good standards. Directing a port is a little like running
TALKING SHOP
The site offers different types of residential options, including the chance to live close to maxiyacht moorings.
a hotel – there’s the management and the 24 hour reception. You’re on call even in the middle of the night just like in a starred hotel. With regard to the customers, I have to admit that small boat owners are suffering and often prefer to rent rather than buy. This is often done by internet – like Uber for taxis and private house rentals for homes – rather than via traditional brokers or agencies.
DZ: What are the customers that use these new rental systems like?
CR: More demanding. They expect top service, tend to make comparisons and generally are less in tune with the environment than boat owners.
DZ: The internet has advantages for you, however? In terms of marketing and communication do you also use new technologies and social networking?
CR: In 2008 we started to very gradually introduce Wi-Fi installations in response to demand. Requests have increased year on year, even for small boats, and this has forced us to change the system and switch to fibre optic. In terms of social networking, we know that sites like Facebook represent an important communication channel but we still don’t know to what extent this is positive.
Gangway with a sea view.
FUEL DOCKS
Practical, commercial and social
The growing popularity of power boats over sail has been evident for a long time and has led to the increased importance of fuel logistics. Long gone are the days when a few jerry cans or a 44 gallon drum in the back of the van would transfer enough fuel for a quick fishing trip. John Hogan considers the options for floating fuel docks and gives recent examples built by Superior Jetties.
As boats have increased in size, more horsepower is required to propel them at acceptable speeds. Today, many boaters will require 500 to 1,000 litres or more when refuelling, and waterside facilities need to be able to provide this service simply and quickly at any time of the day or night. Increasing numbers of marinas are therefore providing floating fuel docks.
The simplest and most economical option is an in-ground tank, similar to that used by a vehicle service station. A cantilevered arm holds the fuel pipe that hangs over a revetment wall, allowing for fuel to be transferred. In this way, the electronics for the on/off switch are on the dock but little else.
Examples of this in eastern Australia are at Southport Yacht Club and Iluka ferry terminal where deep water close to shore is essential. If the marina needs to relocate the dock to a more
All you see are fuel pumps with on/off switches on the docks at Southport Yacht Club in Queensland.
serviceable area for ease of use or for water depth, all of the facilities need to be relocated to the water with the exception of the tanks.
Marina developers and operators need to anticipate future needs
At Birkenhead Point Marina in Sydney, the operators invested in a large, very heavy fuel dock and run a useful kiosk on the site.
and build in adequate conduits to allow for fuel, water, electricity and communications. The two most common methods are either open trenches with a heavy cover plate, or cast-in fixed PVC conduits that allow each service to be in an isolated sealed delivery tube. There are pros and cons for the open top unit. It is easier to access and is easier to install but the downside is that all services are in the same trench and, as the top deck has more concrete, it is top heavy thus raising the centre of gravity. The trench is also more open to the elements so water rats and other vermin can consider this as a home.
For these reasons, a PVC conduit for each service is a better solution.
For the Royal Papua Yacht Club in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Superior designed and manufactured a 30m x 2.5m (98ft x 8ft) five sided concrete pontoon, using its Super Elite system. The new fuel dock gives members and visitors round the clock access to high quality fuel at a central location.
The optimum solution is for a carefully planned design to provide individual PVC conduits in 50, 90 or 150mm (2, 3.5 or 6in) diameters for each service. The tubes can be stacked into the mould or pontoon flotation unit during manufacture and the concrete pour then makes them an integral part of each unit. Where the
Inland and Coastal Marina Systems specialise in the design, manufacture and installation of marinas. In-house design and manufacturing ensures that our products are always of the highest standard of quality. Our installation service also means that clients can be satisfied that experienced professionals are responsible for providing a fully functioning, turnkey marina.
FUEL DOCKS
bridge occurs between each pontoon in any waler system, the spaces are usually less than 100mm (4in) so this is easily covered.
Superior’s regional partner in the UAE, Marinas Performance LLC, recently completed the first phase of an essential piece of infrastructure for floating fuel stations in four locations.
The main pontoons were constructed using Super Elite modules, equipped with cast-in ducting for fuel system, fuel pumps, fuel canopy, operator kiosk, stainless steel cleats and gangways. The product is ideal for this application as it is sturdy, stable and has a 25 year design life. It allows massive fuel/diesel lines and other MEP items such as the kiosk and canopy structures to be easily fitted.
A fuel dock needs to be designed for heavier use than a normal berth. This means that the mass of the structure should be substantial as, with frequent use from varying skill levels in the skipper population, there will undoubtedly be unintended impacts. The mass of the dock is important; at Birkenhead Point Marina in Sydney the operators invested in a 66m x 6m (216ft x 20ft) unit with over 1,000 tonnes of concrete.
The Gold Coast City Marina fuel dock at Coomera in Queensland is 60m x 3.5m (197ft x 11ft) with an open trench system to serve multiple customers simultaneously. Queuing and waiting with a stiff breeze in a confined space is less than ideal and should
be avoided wherever possible. A fuel dock of 40m (131ft) or longer will allow for simultaneous mooring of multiple average size boats.
Fendering is an essential part of the fuel dock. As the highest duty cycle area of the entire marina, the operator must invest in good quality soft touch fenders for protection of both the fuel dock and the vessels.
Marinas in the USA provide exceptional service at fuel docks where dock hands will assist the skipper to tie up and refuel – generally appreciation for this service is a tip from the skipper. However, in Australia we usually need to make do on our own. A single handed skipper will appreciate the provision of a high quality closed cell foam cylindrical fender of at least 200mm (8in) diameter with a solid carpet chaser over it. When lines are also added on the fuel dock, at 6m (20ft) centres and neatly coiled,
boaters are truly happy as they are obviously dealing with a professional organisation.
The simple investment in a quality fuel dock is one of the most important things marina owners can do to show their customers that they care and appreciate your business. As an avid boatie, I hate having to find and attach my own fender and lines, especially when running single handed, so a good fuel dock will get my business every time.
All in all, the fuel dock is an essential meeting point for marina operators and their customers. It should be viewed as a focal point and an opportunity to connect and display high levels of customer service. The boater can be sold chandlery from the store adjacent to the fuel dock and, as the product is immediately available, the margins will be handsome and everyone understands why.
The advent of 24-hour swipe card technology should not be used as an excuse to remove all humans from the marina. Many of us poor boaties are crying out for help with assistance for every little thing. Where to anchor tonight? Where is the next best marina to stop at? Who has the best fuel price on the trip north? Where can I get my water pump repaired?
We all need to recognise that just as the village marketplace was the central meeting place for us in bygone days, the fuel dock is the meeting point in a modern marina. Enjoy the social interaction, the beauty of the surroundings, the service and camaraderie, and the transition from land to water.
John Hogan is CEO of Superior Jetties, Australia, and can be contacted on email: jhogan@superiorjetties.com
The facility at Marmong Point Marina in New South Wales is neat and uncluttered and offers generous waterside manoeuvring space.
Heavy duty pumps, installed alongside deep water, service ferries at Iluka.
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Ocean City lift plan
Sunset Marina, a full-service resort in Ocean City, Maryland, USA, has recently upgraded its Ocean City Fishing Center (OCFC) facility with boat lifts.
Phase 1 of the project involved installation of ten lifts and an additional 18 are due to be fitted over the winter season.
OCFC hosts numerous large offshore boats, many with quad 350s and oversized fuel tanks. To support this type of vessel, the lifts need to be strong and durable, and able to adapt to a wide range of hull shapes. As an efficient layout was required, OCFC turned to local company Ocean City Boat Lifts & Marine Construction to put together a plan.
The company proposed four-post lifts manufactured
by Golden Boat Lifts.
The solution, which differs from the norm of six taller posts and top rails, looks good and makes best use of space. Randy Warden, Ocean City Boat Lifts coowner, described the design as a “game-changer” for marinas. “We were able to cut the length and number of pilings needed by over 50%,” he said.
The contractor also installed an elevated catwalk system that makes it easy to board the boats. Warden and Golden Boat Lifts are in the process of patenting this innovation.
Tesla charge points at MDL marinas
MDL Marinas has become the first UK marina operator to offer electric vehicle charging points for the Tesla range of vehicles.
Charging units have been installed at Ocean Village Marina in Southampton, Cobb’s Quay Marina in Poole, Queen Anne’s Battery in Plymouth and Hamble Point Marina alongside universal electric charging points. The company expects to install more at other marinas over the coming months.
Adrien Burnard, head of marketing at MDL Marinas, commented: “We are always striving to find new ways to add value to our customer experience and recognise the increased demand for electric vehicles and charging points. Many of our customers spend a lot of their pleasure time with us and so we wanted to ensure we made this time as convenient as possible by installing the charging points for them.”
“We are very pleased to provide this service for Tesla owners as
Golden’s four-post lift is its biggest seller. Low in profile, it can support vessels of 4,500 to 28,000lbs (2,041 to 12,700kg) and is powered by a durable Sea-Drive double reduction worm gear drive.
well as other EV owners,” he added. “It’s a fantastic brand and a number of our customers have models from the range. However,
we recognise the growing market for electric cars and the diverse range of models that are available and so have also installed universal charging units to ensure we are offering choice and catering for our customers’ needs.”
OCFC features over 160 slips and has the largest charter fleet in the area.
Contact Golden Boat Lifts in FL, USA on email: sales@goldenboatlifts.com
Aqualuma US merges with Tides Marine
The Florida-based US division of Aqualuma has merged with Tides Marine. Former Aqualuma US vice president of sales and marketing, Alexandra Bader, has been named president of the new Aqualuma division within Tides Marine. A Tides Marine subsidiary, Tides Marine International, is the European distributor for the Aqualuma product range.
“I’m very excited to be working with Tides Marine,” Alexandra Bader said. “There is a lot of synergy with our respective customer bases and I expect a smooth transition of operations and customer service to be completed very quickly,” she added.
Aqualuma products will continue to be manufactured at Aqualuma’s facility
in Australia. “The merger of our US division with Tides Marine, with whom we have had a longstanding relationship, is a winning fit for both companies and, most importantly, our customers across the USA,” said Aqualuma director Grant Amor.
Contact Aqualuma in FL, USA on email: alex@aqualuma.com
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Spanish marina keeps its stars
Marina Ibiza (right) has retained its 5 Blue Stars, first awarded in 2013, by meeting the revised marina certification criteria set out by the International Marine Certification Institute (IMCI).
Located on Ibiza’s ‘golden mile’ with the best views of the old town (a world heritage site), Marina Ibiza has become a serious destination for large yachts. It boasts modern installations, offers
an exclusive entertainment programme and the marina team provides top level customer service.
The marina is also
known for its high quality security and safety, efficient environmental policy,
dedicated concierge service, onboard catering and provisioning.
Contact IMCI in Belgium to find out more about the Blue Stars programme. Email: info@imci.org
Santa Cruz marina invests in custom dredger
The winter of 2015/16 was an unusually harsh one for the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor in Santa Cruz, California. Four years of drought were followed by an El Niño season that brought storm water run-off, high tides, high surf and swells –rapidly creating a complete shoaling of the federal entrance channel to the harbour and blocking all boats from entering or leaving.
The dredger ‘Seabright’ that has served the harbour for 30 years laboured to keep up and frequent breakdowns only compounded the problem. The arrival of ‘Twin Lakes’, a new dredger from DSC
Dredge, in June this year will ensure that any work this coming winter will go more smoothly.
“In the Santa Cruz Harbor, the inlet can sand in with just one storm, closing off the harbour
and creating the worst conditions imaginable for dredging,” said Charles Johnson, director of domestic sales for DSC Dredge. “The channel should have a depth of 20 feet [6m] at low tide. There were times this winter when the depth was only a foot or a foot and a half. The Seabright, which was also built by DSC 30 years ago, was struggling to keep the channel clear, but it really was at the end of its useful life.”
The ‘Twin Lakes’ is a custom-built 16ft x 16ft (4.8m x 4.8m) dredger with a hull-mounted pump. It features a PLC operating system with colour touch-screen controls, GPS, electro-
proportional hydraulic circuits, high-capacity service water system and an inline direct marinestyle transmission for dredge pump gear ratio reduction. A planetary winch provides the swing operation. A magnetic flow meter shows the operator the velocity of the material being moved, providing information on the dredger’s efficiency. With two engines – a Caterpillar C32 dredge pump marine diesel engine and a Caterpillar C18 marine diesel-powered electric generator – the dredger fully complies with federal EPA and California CARB environmental standards.
Contact DSC Dredge in LA, USA on email: dredge@dscdredge.com
Elastocoast stabilises damaged riprap
Newly developed aggregate binder BASF Elastocoast has been used to stabilise riprap at Georgetown Yacht Basin in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland. This is the first installation of the product at a North American marina.
Elastocoast produces a strongly bonded, porous, monolithic structure that protects shorelines against erosion by managing sediment. It is an ecologically compatible solution that is resistant to weathering and has been proven to last over time.
Wave action had destabilised the riprap at Georgetown, leading to a build up of large
rocks at the bottom of the navigation channel and consequent damage to vessels as they move towards the boat hoist. To address the problem, the marina re-graded the riprap and Pervious Paving Contractors applied Elastocoast.
Kevin McBee, president of Pervious Paving, described the project as a “showcase for how the chemistry
behind Elastocoast can change the way shoreline erosion is managed.”
“The installation at Georgetown went very well,” he said. “We were able to minimise construction time and waste by applying the Elastocoast bonded material over the existing riprap. The system offers many benefits to the contractor, owner and environment.”
Pierre Couture, business development manager at BASF, commented: “Elastocoast offers a new approach to effectively protect shorelines and coastal areas. This project demonstrates BASF’s commitment to find a sustainable way to protect the land near waterways.”
Contact BASF Corporation in NJ, USA on email: elastocoast@basf.com
‘Twin Lakes’, a custom-built dredger with a hull-mounted pump, is now in service at Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor.
Strong sales in Quantum’s first year
Since launching its Quantum service pedestal a year ago, Rolec has sold over 2,000 units worldwide.
The first installation was made at Haslar Marina in Gosport, UK where 150 of the anodised aluminium pedestals were key to a £1.5 million refurbishment project.
“We were thrilled to be the first marina in the UK to roll out the new Quantums,” said Haslar’s marina manager Ben Lippiett. “We are really pleased with how well built they are. They are colour coded and feature LED lighting – special downward facing anti-light polluting louvres, which help to provide deck illumination,” he added.
Quantums are also now installed at many other marina sites, including: Marina Nou Fontana, Alicante, Spain (200 berths); Port of Tangier Ville, Morocco (1,000 berths); Carrickfergus Waterfront, Northern Ireland, UK (350 berths); and Amwaj Marina, Bahrain (over 180 berths). The Carrickfergus order also included 24 red Quantum
Sealift buy-out
The management team at Sealift2 International Ltd has purchased the Sealift2 marine services business at Haslar Marina, UK and its parent company Welcome Inn Investments NV.
Welcome Inn owned the intellectual property and patents on the fast boat lifting technology used in the Sealift2 dock; a lift, clean and re-launch product that is like a car wash for boats.
“The management buy-out will enable us to expand our operations internationally, with a new focus on licensing our fast boat lifting technology for local manufacture,” confirmed Richard Bayley, managing director and majority shareholder. The boat servicing operations at Haslar will operate under
SOS stations featuring life buoys, fire extinguishers, first aid kits and LED illumination.
Rolec managing director, Kieron Alsop, commented: “We are delighted that the first year sales figures for our Quantum range show how well these new pedestals have been embraced by marinas around the world.”
“The Quantum fuses high quality with the affordability of an entry level unit, making the pedestals extremely cost-effective,” he added. “We are particularly proud to have created an innovative yet economical pedestal which provides a powerful blend of versatility and design. The Quantum’s extruded anodised aluminium frame also makes it extremely strong, further emphasising its perfect combination of qualities.”
Contact Rolec Services in the UK on email: rolec@rolecserv.co.uk
Quantums are:
• Manufactured in compliance with BS7671 wiring regulations and to the IP65 category 1 weather proof rating (BS EN 60529)
• Flame retardant to UL94 flame rating at V2
• UV stabilised
• CE certified
• Corrosion resistant
• Built with full utility segregation
a new UK company, Sealift3 Ltd, and sales of docks and licensing will be handled by Welcome Inn Investments trading as Sealift3. All existing staff, suppliers and customers of Sealift2 International will be transferred to Sealift3 Ltd and Sealift2 International will cease trading.
The first Sealift2 dock was launched in 2006 and operated in Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK. Since then, docks have been installed in Dubai and at other UK sites in Gosport, Brixham and, most recently, Cardiff.
Contact Sealift 3 Ltd in the UK on email: richard.bayley@sealift3.com
One of 150 Quantum pedestals installed at Haslar Marina.
The new Sealift3 floating dry dock at Cardiff Marina, UK.
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Fuel dock mooring is safe and green
During the summer months, DualDocker installed a mooring system for a fuel station at 490-berth Marselisborg Havn, 12km (7.4 miles) from the centre of Aarhus in Denmark. The brief covered a series of important criteria following risk assessments.
“Traditional mooring solutions, such as chains, piles or rigid distance holders were seen to have considerable disadvantages,” explained harbour master Thomas Fog. “We were concerned about the high undamped force impact and the station’s stability at changing water levels.”
The fuel station had to accommodate a 16,000 litre (3,519 gallon) fuel pump (to serve two vessels) on a dock able to safely withstand wind speed up to 30m/ sec (98ft/sec), current of 1m/sec (3.2ft/ sec) and a water level variation of 2m (6.5ft).
DualDocker installed four of its 5T arms in a V arrangement. Each arm measures 4.2m (13.7ft) and offers smooth purely mechanical damping of 450mm (17.7in) per arm.
The design was approved as it has zero impact on the seabed, is safe, easy to maintain and has long life expectancy.
“We now have a perfectly working
filling station for two vessels and we are very happy with the solution,” Fog enthused.
Contact DualDocker in Austria on email: doris.czech@dualdocker.com
Exploring inner space
As ‘copter’ drones have become more popular and more affordable, when we think of drones we automatically think ‘up’. But innovative Canadian company SheerTech offers a new direction – with the Starfish tethered robot drone.
Starfish is a nifty device that could prove invaluable for the underwater diving and boating community and as an essential inspection and retrieval aid for the marina operator.
The underwater ‘drone’ connects its human operator on the surface to a 300ft (91m) umbilical cord designed for hauling objects to the surface. Four 12-volt thruster motors are used to manoeuvre underwater. Water depths can be viewed via the onboard video camera and the grappling claw used to secure items weighing up to 300lbs (136kg) before the operator pulls the Starfish to the surface.
The product is the result of 12 months’ development and enjoyed a successful kick start campaign last year. It is now on sale for the competitive price of around US$3,195.
Contact SheerTech in ON, Canada on email: design@sheertech.ca
MDL Marina Consultancy has launched a new website showcasing the company’s expertise and the many high profile projects it has undertaken to date.
Designed following extensive customer research to ensure it offers the best possible user experience, the site is easy to navigate with engaging content and interactive features.
Take a look at www.mdlconsultancy.com
Firsts for Global Anchors
Abell Point Marina in Airlie Beach, Queensland, became the first Global Gold Anchor accredited marina in the world in September. The 507-berth facility, which caters for vessels of 12-60m (39-197ft), is a tourist hub for visitors to the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef. It earned the highest accolade of 5 Gold Anchors.
There are over 250 Gold Anchor marinas globally that have been accredited by either The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA) of the UK or the Australia-based Marina Industries Association (MIA). As the accreditation systems have now merged, these marinas will gradually move across to the new scheme and be joined by many others that are attracted by the advantages of one global scheme.
Upon presentation of the award, MIA president Andrew Chapman CMM commented: “After two years of cooperative development, the Global Gold Anchor
scheme is up and away. Over coming weeks and months I will be presenting Global Gold Anchor accreditation to marinas across Australasia. This first presentation to Abell Point Marina is very appropriate given its high profile, strong customer focus and commitment to continual improvement.”
The presentation to Abell Point was swiftly followed by a 4 Anchor award to Horizon City Marina, the first marina in Taiwan to earn
accreditation, and two further awards to marinas in China.
Horizon City is a 25 berth facility for boats of 12-60m (39-197ft) located in Central Kaohsiung.
The Chinese 5 Gold Anchor awards were given to 150-berth Yalong Bay Yacht Club in Sanya – a first-time Gold Anchor
recipient – and the exclusive 110-berth Shanshui Taihu Club and Marina in Wuxi.
Above l to r: Paul Darrouzet, owner of Abell Point Marina, accepts the first Global Gold Anchor award from Colin Bransgrove. Right: Andrew Chapman (left) welcomes Horizon Bay, Taiwan, as a Gold Anchor award marina.
Power Hoist
Index to Advertisers
Bellingham Marine, USA 6, 7
Best Marine Solutions, USA 71
Boatlift, Italy 61
Camper & Nicholsons Marinas, UK 10
Conolift by Kropf Industrial, Canada 54
D-Marin, Turkey 33
Den Hartog, USA 62
Dura Composites, UK 35
Eaton Marina
Power & Lighting, USA 14 & 15
Gigieffe, Italy 24
Golden Boat Lifts, USA 64
Grupo Lindley, Portugal 38
Halo Maritime Defense, USA 66
Harbour Assist, UK 45
Helix Mooring Systems, USA 26
Hiscox, UK 48
ICOMIA WMC 2016, Netherlands 29
IMBC 2017, USA 58
IMCI, Belgium 66
Ingemar, Italy 20
Inland & Coastal Marinas, Ireland 58
JLD International, Netherlands 50
M-Tech, Australia 18
MDL Marina Consultancy, UK 34
MWS&S, UK 52 & 53
Marina Master by IRM, Slovenia 54
Marina Projects, UK 30
Marine Travelift, USA 72
Marinetek, Finland 4
Markel International, UK 41
Martini Alfredo, Italy 42
Moffatt & Nichol, USA 11
Orsta Breakwater, Netherlands 49
PMS Dock Marine Systems, Turkey 50
Pacsoft, New Zealand 26
Pile Ring, New Zealand 54
Plus Marine, Italy 42
Poralu Marine, France 36 & 37
Rolec Services, UK 12
Rollins Electrical, UK 22
Roodberg - a brand of Frisian Industries, Netherlands 69
Rototec, Italy 38
SF Marina System, Sweden 2
Seaflex, Sweden 8
Seijsener, Netherlands 17
Strongwell, USA 66
Successful Software, Greece 64
Superior Group, Australia 16
Titan Deck/Voyager Industries, USA 26
Twinwood by Soprefa, Portugal 48
Walcon Marine, UK 13
Wickens Engineering, UK 64
Wigging Lift Co, USA 63
Wise Handling, UK 57
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Managing utilities by mobile phone
Rolec has launched BerthMaster Online, a marina management system that allows boat owners to manage and pay for their electricity and water services by mobile phone. The system is now fully operational at Dean & Reddyhoff’s 600-berth Haslar Marina, Gosport, UK – the recipient of the first batch of Quantum dockside pedestals.
A natural progression from the proven BerthMaster system, it offers new levels of control for both marina operator and berth holder.
Rolec managing director, Kieron Alsop, explained the thinking.
“We pioneered the introduction of computer managed electricity and water services at marinas worldwide with the development and introduction of the original BerthMaster system almost 20 years ago,” he said.
“During this time, the BerthMaster system has become the world’s leading marina services management solution – with tens of thousands of berths worldwide successfully operating on the system,” he added.
Although the marina operator continues to have overall control of the marina’s services, boat owners can use their mobile phones to:
• Remotely switch on/off their own electricity and water services, eliminating the need to visit the marina office.
• Have 24/7 access to their own electricity and water accounts from any location in the world.
• Pay in advance or on account for electricity and water services via the BerthMaster Online Worldpay platform.
• Receive email/text alerts in the event of an unauthorised electrical disconnection.
Describing the new product as “slick”, Michael Prideaux, managing director of Dean & Reddyhoff said “it has transformed both the customer experience and the operational side at Haslar Marina.”
Contact Rolec Services in the UK on email: rolec@rolecserv.co.uk
International marina guidelines
The two-part publication Guidelines for Marina Design, authored by the PIANC RecCom Working Group 149, is now available.
The objective of the report is to provide information and recommendations on good practice, and the emphasis – unlike most other guidelines of its kind – is international in focus.
PIANC hopes the report will become a reference for marina designers and other practitioners involved in marina development and operations. It summarises available technical literature, including the most recent advances in the field, as well as practical lessons learnt from
the experiences of the contributors, who are professionals in the fields of marina planning, design, engineering, environmental services, construction and management activities.
Part 1 (45 pages - €52) covers: recommended design approach; surveys and investigations; and vessel characteristics. Part 2 (94 pages – €108) covers marina protection and coastal aspects.
