Sun and fun on the docks
FRIDAY 10.31.25
Spotlight on Excellence: The ISS Design & Leadership Awards
By Lauren Beck
The International Superyacht Society (ISS) celebrated innovation, craftsmanship, and leadership at its annual Design Awards on Oct. 29, honoring achievements across sailing, motor, and refit categories.
The 122-meter Lürssen Kismet earned the 2025 Yacht of the Year, with additional winners including Wally Yachts’ Galma (Best in Sail), Custom Line’s Telli (Best in Motor <300GT), Royal Huisman’s Special One (Best in Motor 300–500GT), The Italian Sea Group’s Platinum (Best in Motor 1,000–3,000GT), and the Benetti Solafide, refitted at the IMS Shipyard (Best in Refit). JAS received Best Interior honors.
The ISS also recognized exceptional individuals through its Distinguished Crew Award, which celebrates crewmembers whose actions exemplify service and professionalism — now marking its 20th year.
Finalists included Capt. Brendan Emmons, his wife Julie, and the crew of M/Y Freedom who were recognized for their community service efforts, and the Maclean brothers, who rowed from Peru to Australia, raised more than £1 million for clean water initiatives. Capt. Liam Devlin and the crew of Unbridled were ultimately honored for promoting
onboard education and for exemplifying crew excellence.
“We had a common goal, and that was to advance the Unbridled charter program,” Capt. Devlin said. “Then we had to come up with creative ways to do that … and social media is a part of it, crew development is a part of it.”
When asked about the secret to the boat’s success, Devlin said, “For me personally, it’s waking up every day with a cause, and then I have 12 to 14 souls on board to keep safe. Part of keeping them safe is to keep them happy. If I can do that, we succeed. You have to think of the crew safety as the most important aspect of a vessel operation, because without that, you don’t have anything.”
Other honorees included Rose Damen of Damen Yachting, only the second woman to win the Leadership Award. Espen Øino International, in collaboration with Emerald Nuclear and PTT Nuclear Energy Systems, earned the Excellence in Technology Award for a modular nuclear reactor concept; MPA Connect, winner of the Excellence in Improving Yachting Award for its coral reef management initiatives across 40 Caribbean marine parks, and Daniel Wegner of Lürssen received the Artisan Award.
Contact Emma Farndale
efarndale@bush-brothers.com
CREW SCENE ON THE DOCKS
Photos by Kevin Maher and Flavia Patino-Paul
Photos by Kevin Maher and Flavia Patino-Paul
Photos by Kevin Maher and Flavia Patino-Paul
Anita Warwick
Tel: +1 954 763 9787
WhatsApp: +1 954 294 2078
anita@sevenseashealth.com
SevenSeasHealth.com
Crew • Expats • Travel
www.Lat26Degrees.com www.Lat26Degrees.com
Greg Foster-James Best Captain (Master Unlimited)
Born in Pembrokeshire, Wales, I began my maritime career as a water sports instructor and sailing coach, working with children from all backgrounds and abilities through the Royal Yachting Association and The Prince’s Trust. After qualifying as a Merchant Navy navigation officer, I spent several years on commercial tankers before transitioning into the superyacht sector in 2010. Over the years I’ve served on a range of vessels with global cruising experience from the Arctic to the Pacific. Since 2016, I’ve been part of the team on M/Y SYMPHONY (101m), where I now proudly serve as Captain.
Under my leadership, SYMPHONY has completed high-profile charters across the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Central America, and the Bahamas. Our voyages have included expeditions from remote regions to high-traffic event charters during the Monaco Grand Prix.
DoubleTake
B What is the name of the fictional island terrorized by Jaws?
C What was the name of the ship Charles Darwin sailed during his voyage that led to his theory of evolution?
D What year was the first Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show held?
E Which sea has no land borders and is defined solely by ocean currents?
