2024 March/April Marina World
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<strong>Marina</strong><br />
www.marinaworld.com<br />
<strong>World</strong><br />
<strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
Issue 142<br />
Essential reading for marina and waterfront developers, planners and operators
SUPERDOCKS <br />
PUSHING LIMITS<br />
SF <strong>Marina</strong> is a world-renowned expert on developing new or existing<br />
premium marinas. We provide state-of-the-art floating breakwaters and<br />
concrete pontoons to anyone anywhere who plans on building a marina<br />
with superyacht berths. And who wants it to still be there after the storm.<br />
W W W . S F M A R I N A . C O M
<strong>Marina</strong><br />
<strong>World</strong><br />
<strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong> Vol. 24, No. 4<br />
21<br />
CONTENTS<br />
<strong>World</strong> News 7<br />
Superyacht Facilities<br />
Developing a megayacht business at<br />
Dock Maarten in the Caribbean 15<br />
Key infrastructure at <strong>Marina</strong> Bahia Golfito, Costa Rica 21<br />
Boosting refit standards at Lusben facilities, Italy 25<br />
Buying and Selling <strong>Marina</strong>s 30<br />
Key professionals from CBRE, Simply <strong>Marina</strong>s,<br />
Capital Real Estate and Investors Realty Service give<br />
opinions and advice<br />
38<br />
<strong>Marina</strong> Chains 38<br />
D-Marin had a hugely successful 2023 with many<br />
acquisitions and innovations<br />
Nautical Events 40<br />
Introducing the GCCM Gold Coast Mackay Yacht<br />
Race; status boost for Ibiza JoySail Superyacht<br />
Regatta; preparing <strong>Marina</strong> Lanzarote for the RORC<br />
Transatlantic Race<br />
40<br />
Fuel Technology 45<br />
The world’s first network for green hydrogen refuelling<br />
of recreational boats<br />
Boat Sharing 48<br />
Nautical Boat Club opens new club in Kemah<br />
Boardwalk; Agapi and Axopar launch AxA<br />
Products & Services 50<br />
On the cover:<br />
Family-owned Dock Maarten<br />
on the half Dutch, Half French<br />
Caribbean island of St Martin<br />
has recently completed one of<br />
the largest private megayacht<br />
slips in the region. The move is<br />
part of a decades-long marina<br />
development programme. Read<br />
more p.15<br />
www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
3
<strong>Marina</strong><br />
<strong>World</strong><br />
FROM THE EDITOR<br />
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Green assets<br />
The global marina market is experiencing significant growth, with projected<br />
expansion from US$18.89 billion in 2023 to an estimated US$24.22<br />
billion by 2028 according to market research information released by<br />
researchandmarkets.com. The increase reflects a compound annual growth<br />
rate (CAGR) of 5.1%.<br />
The research points to various key drivers: economic prosperity in coastal regions;<br />
increasing popularity of boating; sustainable marina initiatives that sit well with ecoaware<br />
customers; and continued market interest from corporate entities seeking<br />
partnerships and acquisitions.<br />
This final driver shows no sign of flagging and the positive vibe from the Buying<br />
and Selling <strong>Marina</strong>s feature in this issue (p.30) is thus a very important barometer of<br />
the health of the sector.<br />
Although the feature is primarily focused on the Florida market – arguably the<br />
most significant boating hub in North America – the buying trends roll out nationwide.<br />
Michelle Ash refers to “a spike in marina acquisitions fuelled by new funds and<br />
groups entering the market”; Christian Johannsen notes “we’ve seen at least four to<br />
six new entries [chains/groups] into the marina space that were not here before”; and<br />
Julie Fisher Berry explains “chains are expanding but they sometimes have certain<br />
restrictions which have allowed newer groups a better opportunity to enter the<br />
market and begin developing portfolios.”<br />
In this issue alone, we highlight the latest acquisition of the Australia-based MA<br />
<strong>Marina</strong> Fund – the largest marina group in the southern hemisphere – and the<br />
addition of ten marinas in 2023 (including three new territories: Spain, Malta and<br />
Albania) to the D-Marin portfolio.<br />
If sustainable marina initiatives are also driving growth, this is well-deserved. Large<br />
groups, as well as private and family-owned marinas, all champion environmental<br />
responsibility and, in addition to attracting new eco-aware customers, have almost<br />
certainly educated seasoned boaters about greener practices. Huge ongoing<br />
emphasis is placed on re-using water, maintaining pollution-free water, adopting<br />
alternative energy systems (especially solar power) and recycling waste. Marine<br />
industry-wide focus is also being placed on fuels and fuel technology for leisure<br />
boats and a step change is upon us with the NatPower H initiative (see p.45).<br />
Marketed as the world’s first network for green hydrogen refuelling of<br />
recreational boats, NatPower H is on a mission to install 100 of its fuel stations<br />
in the Mediterranean within the next six years – before going global. The first 25<br />
installations will be made in Italian marinas and ports. One hundred stations will<br />
supply up to 3,650 tonnes of green hydrogen every year. This will eliminate around<br />
45,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions for vessels and, once again, position<br />
marinas centre stage for promoting a cleaner world.<br />
© <strong>2024</strong> Loud & Clear Publishing Ltd<br />
Views expressed by individual contributors in this issue<br />
are not necessarily those of Loud & Clear Publishing<br />
Ltd. Equally, the inclusion of advertisements in this<br />
magazine does not constitute endorsement of the<br />
companies, products and services concerned by Loud &<br />
Clear Publishing Ltd. The publisher reserves the right to<br />
refuse advertising.<br />
Carol Fulford<br />
Editor<br />
www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
5
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WORLD NEWS<br />
Thumbs up for AMI Expo<br />
USA: The Association of <strong>Marina</strong> Industries (AMI) secured another big success<br />
with AMI Conference & Expo <strong>2024</strong> held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at the close<br />
of January.<br />
The event, which offered multiple<br />
break-out sessions, pre-conference<br />
educational opportunities and<br />
networking and social events, was<br />
anchored by two well-attended keynote<br />
presentations and a lively exhibit area<br />
with over 160 booths.<br />
Bill Benjamin kick-started conference<br />
discussion with his presentation ‘Build<br />
a high-performance, last 8% culture,’<br />
and David Atkins re-engaged attendees<br />
at the start of Day 2 with the prompt<br />
‘No excuses – break through fear and<br />
adversity to play a bigger game in<br />
business and life’.<br />
Pre-conference highlights reminded<br />
everyone that AMI Expo is primarily<br />
an educational opportunity with a<br />
broad reach. Delegates could attend<br />
the annual American Boat Builders<br />
and Repairers Association (ABBRA)<br />
Conference, clean marina course,<br />
insurance workshop, docks and<br />
marinas course, the <strong>Marina</strong> 101 preconference<br />
workshop and the everpopular<br />
marina and boatyard tour.<br />
On Conference Day 1, certificates<br />
were awarded to 36 newly qualified<br />
Certified <strong>Marina</strong> Managers (CMMs)<br />
and Certified <strong>Marina</strong> Operators<br />
(CMOs), and on Day 2 delegates were<br />
welcomed to a first-time ‘Women’s<br />
Leadership Breakfast Panel’ prior to the<br />
conference welcome.<br />
AMI Conference & Expo returns<br />
to Fort Lauderdale in 2025 (28 th -30 th<br />
January) and shifts to Daytona Beach<br />
for 2026 (2 nd -4 th February).<br />
ADSP opens bids for<br />
new Cagliari port area<br />
ITALY: The Port System Authority of the Sea of Sardinia (ADSP), which<br />
governs the port of Cagliari, has opened bids for state concessions for a new<br />
17.4ha (43.2acre) port area with pontoons that will be dedicated to vessel<br />
construction, refit, repair, maintenance, storage and complementary activities.<br />
A total of 13 lots will be available,<br />
two of which are reserved for various<br />
sized boats and include water area.<br />
The remaining space is earmarked<br />
for various purposes including engine<br />
repairs, electrical and electronic system<br />
installation, manufacture and repair of<br />
textile and metal items, and navigation<br />
and lighting equipment.<br />
Mooring Post<br />
Don’t miss Mooring Post, our regular digital<br />
newsfeed. Sign up for free today at marinaworld.<br />
com/mooringpost<br />
Highlights from February/<strong>March</strong>:<br />
Australia: QLD Government invites bids for marina on<br />
The Spit<br />
UK: MDL marks 50 years with multi-million spend<br />
UAE: D-Marin sells Business Bay <strong>Marina</strong><br />
USA: Nine <strong>Marina</strong>, Oklahoma, completes major upgrade<br />
Thailand: Ocean <strong>Marina</strong> Jomtien voted best for berths<br />
Successful bidders will need to build<br />
the infrastructure necessary for their<br />
business activities and the ADSP will<br />
take this into account when evaluating<br />
the expressions of interest, along with<br />
the management and organisation<br />
plan, experience, expected levels of<br />
employment and economic benefit to<br />
the overall plan.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
7
QUICK AND<br />
CLEAN<br />
WASTEWATER<br />
DISPOSAL<br />
PierPump - hassle-free disposal of waste water and bilge water<br />
from boats and yachts<br />
Skippers and landlubbers alike are clear about one thing: water is<br />
precious. Whether due to legal requirements or on their own initiative,<br />
more and more port operators also feel obliged to offer a professional<br />
disposal station for waste water and bilge water. With its powerful and<br />
robust rotary lobe pump the PierPump from Vogelsang comes at just<br />
the right time for all of them. It is easy to install and can be used by boat<br />
operators at the touch of a button. Emptying the tank takes just a few<br />
minutes and the waste water is discharged directly into the port‘s waste<br />
water system.<br />
More information at:<br />
vogelsang.info/int/pierpump-<strong>2024</strong><br />
VOGELSANG LEADING IN TECHNOLOGY<br />
vogelsang.info
<strong>Marina</strong>s.com<br />
Oasis to manage<br />
Dania Beach<br />
USA: Oasis <strong>Marina</strong>s has secured a strategic partnership with the City<br />
of Dania Beach in South Florida to manage its municipal marina.<br />
“We are delighted to welcome<br />
Dania Beach <strong>Marina</strong> to our portfolio<br />
and are proud to be part of such<br />
an integral aspect of Dania Beach’s<br />
community fabric,” said Oasis<br />
<strong>Marina</strong>s CEO Kenneth Svendsen.<br />
“Dania Beach <strong>Marina</strong> is not just a<br />
marina; it’s a vital cornerstone for<br />
residents with a significance that<br />
extends beyond its exceptional<br />
amenities, serving as a hub<br />
for recreation, commerce and<br />
connection within the local area.”<br />
The collaboration builds<br />
upon the marina’s rich history,<br />
originally developed by the City<br />
Considered to be the largest<br />
investment deal in Egypt’s<br />
history, with potentially $150<br />
billion involved, the city will<br />
be positioned not only as an<br />
with the support of the Broward<br />
County Board of Commissioners.<br />
Situated on the scenic Intracoastal<br />
Waterway oceanside in Dania<br />
Beach, the marina offers a host of<br />
amenities for boaters and visitors<br />
alike and benefits from Bellingham<br />
floating concrete docks, and pumpout<br />
stations at every slip.<br />
Under the leadership of general<br />
manager, Tyler Girolamo, efforts<br />
will concentrate upon enhancing<br />
grounds maintenance and<br />
optimising network connectivity.<br />
Girolamo and his team will<br />
maintain a strong on-site presence.<br />
<strong>Marina</strong> in plans for<br />
Ras Al-Hekma<br />
EGYPT: A direct investment deal with the UAE to build Ras Al-<br />
Hekma, a massive new city on the country’s north coast, was<br />
signed in February. The project will be undertaken by the New<br />
Urban Communities Authority and the Abu Dhabi Development<br />
Holding Company.<br />
urban business and residential<br />
centre but also as a tourist<br />
hub. A large marina is planned<br />
amidst hotels, resorts and<br />
entertainment venues.<br />
WORLD NEWS<br />
<strong>Marina</strong>s24<br />
finalises programme<br />
AUSTRALIA: The programme for the<br />
<strong>Marina</strong>s24 International Conference and<br />
Trade Exhibition, to be held 27 th -28 th May at<br />
the Royal International Convention Centre,<br />
Brisbane has been finalised.<br />
The event kicks off with an economic<br />
overview and forecast from National Australia<br />
Bank’s Tapas Strickland, and quickly moves<br />
to focus on the opportunities for the marine<br />
industry in Australia and the broader Asia<br />
Pacific region as we head towards 2032.<br />
Delegates will receive the findings of the<br />
2023 Health of the Australasian <strong>Marina</strong><br />
Industry Survey (HAMIS), which for the<br />
first time included New Zealand. This data<br />
provides an overview of historic trends<br />
and key industry benchmarks. The <strong>Marina</strong><br />
Industries Association (MIA) will share how it is<br />
supporting industry and its long-term strategy.<br />
Special focus will be given to: designing<br />
marina precincts; being climate-ready;<br />
alternative power systems; energy and<br />
compliance obligations; maximising yield;<br />
increasing projects through shared boating<br />
clubs; and topical operations matters, such as<br />
recruitment and retention, marketing and the<br />
ever-popular innovation showcase.<br />
Rodney Longhurst, owner of Riviera<br />
Australia, will deliver the closing keynote,<br />
sharing the inspiring story of ‘The rebirth of the<br />
Riviera’.<br />
Social and networking events include the<br />
North Harbour Happy Hour; Breakfast with<br />
the Exhibitors; and the Superior Jetties Gala<br />
Dinner.<br />
The full programme can be viewed at www.<br />
marinas-24.com<br />
MA <strong>Marina</strong><br />
boosts portfolio<br />
AUSTRALIA: MA Financial has further boosted its<br />
MA <strong>Marina</strong> Fund portfolio by acquiring privatelyowned<br />
East Coast <strong>Marina</strong> in Manly Harbour.<br />
“With 330 berths and prime location, this transaction<br />
marks a significant milestone for our MA <strong>Marina</strong> Fund,<br />
expanding the Fund’s footprint to 13 marinas and<br />
solidifying our position as owners of the largest marina<br />
group in the southern hemisphere,” MA Financial said<br />
in a statement.<br />
MA <strong>Marina</strong> Fund owns Bateman’s Bay and Port<br />
Macquarie, the d’Albora <strong>Marina</strong>s assets, Horizon<br />
Shores and Port of Airlie.<br />
www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
9
Delivering the marinas<br />
of tomorrow<br />
Porto Montenegro, Tivat - Montenegro<br />
Hi-tech solutions to connect land and sea<br />
Pontoons, breakwaters, superyacht piers, floating crossings and<br />
constructions, off-the-shelf or customised, with robust and<br />
reliable structures in steel, aluminium or concrete.
WORLD NEWS<br />
NEOM<br />
<strong>Marina</strong> access to<br />
mountain retreat<br />
SAUDI ARABIA: Aquellum, the latest addition to the ongoing NEOM regional<br />
development in northwest Saudi Arabia, has been announced.<br />
Concealed from the outside along<br />
the Gulf of Aqaba coastline, Aquellum<br />
is hidden within a breathtaking 450m<br />
(1,480ft) high mountain range and<br />
represents a futuristic ecosystem that is<br />
harmoniously integrated into the natural<br />
surroundings.<br />
Visitors embark on an extraordinary<br />
journey to access Aquellum, beginning<br />
at a floating marina. Here, they board<br />
a specially designed vessel to enter<br />
via a concealed underground canal.<br />
Once inside, visitors will be treated<br />
to an exhilarating 100m (330ft) high<br />
vertical experience with an impressive<br />
courtyard space stretching from the<br />
water to the sky.<br />
A dynamic boulevard winds through<br />
the courtyard, connecting diverse<br />
social and events spaces, world-class<br />
hospitality, immersive arts, shopping<br />
and dining. A signature space, dubbed<br />
‘The Generator’, houses unique<br />
research labs for disruptors, innovators<br />
and creative thinkers, offering a<br />
platform for reimagining the future.<br />
An omnidirectional internal transit<br />
system facilitates easy access to<br />
upper floors, transporting residents<br />
and visitors to their homes and hotels,<br />
ascending to rooftop gardens with<br />
breathtaking coastal views.<br />
Brisbane River marina<br />
fills ‘overnight’ gap<br />
AUSTRALIA: A 42-berth marina where commercial and tourist boats can dock<br />
overnight on the Brisbane River will be built at Raptis Seafoods, Morningside<br />
near the Gateway Bridge. The marina is one of five projects that have been<br />
awarded a share in AU$15 million under round one of the Growing Future<br />
Tourism programme.<br />
While the facility will not provide a<br />
tourist pick up and drop off point, the<br />
marina will give Brisbane’s marine<br />
tourism operators a place to anchor<br />
after a tough few years that included<br />
the 2022 floods and displacement due<br />
to waterfront developments across the<br />
city.<br />
Queensland Government funding<br />
for the projects will leverage AU$66.6<br />
IGY<br />
launches<br />
Savannah<br />
Harbor<br />
USA: Island Global Yachting (IGY<br />
<strong>Marina</strong>s) has announced a new<br />
marina in the heart of Savannah,<br />
Georgia. To be developed in<br />
partnership with Savannah Harbor<br />
Partners LLC, it will be branded<br />
IGY Savannah Harbor <strong>Marina</strong>.<br />
Upon completion in spring<br />
2025, the marina will feature 100<br />
berths for vessels of all sizes,<br />
including over 1,000 linear feet<br />
(300m) to accommodate deep<br />
draft superyachts. Located just five<br />
miles (eight kilometres) from the<br />
Intracoastal Waterway and with no<br />
air draft and depth restrictions on<br />
the Savannah River, it is an ideal<br />
stopover point for both cruisers and<br />
transiting superyachts.<br />
“We are excited to be involved in<br />
this wonderful project and a catalyst<br />
of nautical tourism in this thriving<br />
area,” said IGY <strong>Marina</strong>s president<br />
Steve English. “The opportunity to<br />
develop and operate IGY Savannah<br />
Harbor <strong>Marina</strong> means we will deliver<br />
the highest levels of service to our<br />
global clientele in this incredible<br />
destination.”<br />
Myrick Marine Contracting<br />
Corporation will provide services<br />
as the general contractor. Meeco-<br />
Sullivan Wahoo docks will be<br />
installed in the small boat inner basin<br />
and Marinetek floating concrete<br />
pontoons utilised for the superyacht<br />
dock located along the river.<br />
million in private investment, supporting<br />
an estimated 313 jobs during planning<br />
and construction and 669 ongoing<br />
operational jobs.<br />
The new marina is due for completion<br />
by <strong>April</strong> 2025, subject to development<br />
approvals. Other projects include a<br />
fixed 50m (164ft) jetty at Lindeman<br />
Island Resort, and a marine tourism<br />
hub at Flinders Street Wharves,<br />
Townsville, featuring marina berths and<br />
a floating bar/restaurant.<br />
www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
11
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SUPERYACHT FACILITIES<br />
Dock Maarten:<br />
A mecca for megayachts<br />
Dock Maarten on the half Dutch, half French Caribbean island of St Martin has<br />
recently finished building two of the largest private megayacht slips in the<br />
region at 187m (614ft) in length, helping it serve as a key destination ideally<br />
positioned within the superyacht circuit between Antigua and St Thomas.<br />
The marina has a long history<br />
of catering to the superyacht and<br />
megayacht community in the<br />
Caribbean. The Deher family, which<br />
has been developing and operating<br />
the property for more than 45 years,<br />
first conceived plans to expand to<br />
accommodate megayachts two<br />
decades ago in response to an<br />
increase in demand. While the nearby<br />
Below: Brian Deher with his father<br />
Michel in earlier days of the marina<br />
build. Michel and his wife, Kathy, began<br />
building Dock Maarten – previously<br />
named Great Bay <strong>Marina</strong> – in 1978 and<br />
expanded it six years later. Right: Michel<br />
Deher is still hands-on in the continuing<br />
property development.<br />
Port of St Maarten has two megayacht<br />
slips available, this was not enough to<br />
handle demand, leaving many 80m+<br />
(262ft+) yachts no option other than<br />
to anchor out in the bay and wait on<br />
availability at the port or relocate to<br />
other islands. The marina has worked<br />
hand in hand with the port and the local<br />
government to fill demand by expanding<br />
the number of megayacht slips it<br />
offers. Construction was delayed as<br />
the family gathered funds, but finally<br />
began five years ago.<br />
Dock Maarten’s megayacht slips<br />
have been built in stages, with the<br />
first eight opening two years ago.<br />
At that time, however, the marina<br />
did not have sufficient draft to<br />
accommodate yachts above 70m<br />
(230ft). After years of both hydraulic<br />
and mechanical dredging, the<br />
marina can now safely moor vessels<br />
in excess of 100m (328ft) with drafts<br />
of up to 5m (16ft).<br />
Brian Deher, founder and<br />
managing director of marina<br />
services company St Maarten Ultra<br />
Marine, says: “There are more<br />
yachts built every year than there are<br />
new megayacht marina slips. The<br />
average size of the newly built yachts<br />
is growing and many existing marinas<br />
are not designed to handle their length,<br />
draft and/or their gross tonnage. It<br />
is very difficult to build a megayacht<br />
marina as the permitting process is<br />
difficult, the investment is large and<br />
there are only certain places that the<br />
yachts want to be. We see tremendous<br />
growth year over year in the yachting<br />
industry in general and we believe that<br />
the northeast Caribbean will continue<br />
to be a hub for charter activity in the<br />
winter months.”<br />
Dock Maarten is working with various<br />
companies around the world to offer<br />
shipyard services that will help extend<br />
the Caribbean yachting season, as<br />
yacht owners will be able to repair<br />
www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
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SUPERYACHT FACILITIES<br />
and maintain their vessels while in<br />
the region. “The goal is to reduce the<br />
need for yachts to have to relocate to<br />
Europe or the US to go to traditional<br />
shipyards,” Deher explains. “Over the<br />
next ten years, we see growth in the<br />
entire yachting industry and we believe<br />
St Maarten is well suited to continue to<br />
be a leader in the yachting industry in<br />
the Caribbean.”<br />
Current facilities<br />
Today, the marina boasts 12 megayacht<br />
slips – eight of which are capable<br />
of accommodating yachts in excess<br />
of 100m (328ft) – and can also<br />
accommodate more than 20 boats<br />
under 25m (82ft). Dock Maarten’s<br />
robust structure enables it to offer<br />
extensive shipyard services to its<br />
clients, including the accommodation<br />
of 100-ton cranes or larger on either<br />
side of a newly built cofferdam that<br />
allows two 100m+ vessels to moor<br />
up alongside.<br />
“The cofferdam is wide enough<br />
to accommodate cranes and<br />
scaffolding on both sides and<br />
still leave enough room for fuel<br />
trucks and other service vehicles<br />
to access the yachts,” Deher says.<br />
“This represents a significant<br />
enhancement in the marina’s<br />
(and the region’s) capabilities and<br />
offerings.” Additional side-to and<br />
med-moor slips will be added in the<br />
next two years, doubling the available<br />
capacity.<br />
The entire property is reclaimed<br />
land, with the dredged sand used to<br />
backfill behind the sheet pile bulkhead<br />
and between the cofferdam, creating<br />
over four acres of property that will<br />
be dedicated to providing additional<br />
megayacht services and amenities for<br />
guests and crew.<br />
Its location in an<br />
open bay means the<br />
marina is affected<br />
by hurricanes, and<br />
vessels are required<br />
to leave in the<br />
event of inclement<br />
weather even<br />
though the marina<br />
infrastructure is<br />
specifically designed<br />
Brian Deher: “We see tremendous growth<br />
year over year in the yachting industry in<br />
general and we believe that the northeast<br />
Caribbean will continue to be a hub for<br />
charter activity in the winter months.”<br />
for hurricanes. For example, the marina<br />
opted not to install floating docks and<br />
instead custom built its docks from<br />
concrete, on steel pipe piles filled<br />
with fortified concrete and rebar. The<br />
bulkhead is built on top of 12m (39ft)<br />
long sheet piles driven to refusal and<br />
tied back to 6m (20ft) tieback walls.<br />
“In the case of the cofferdam, the 12m<br />
sheet piles are tied to each other with<br />
threaded tie rods. We designed our<br />
own concrete pedestals that have<br />
meters, switchgear and transformers<br />
in a transformer room that is well<br />
protected from any potential swells, so<br />
only the breakers and connection points<br />
are located out on the docks,” Deher<br />
explains.<br />
Crew amenities<br />
Dock Maarten is a full service facility<br />
that also serves as a destination,<br />
complementing other world-class<br />
marinas on the island.<br />
It is located along the boardwalk<br />
between St Maarten’s cruise facility<br />
and the town of Philipsburg – the<br />
capital of Dutch St Maarten and one<br />
The impressive cofferdam significantly<br />
enhances megayacht mooring<br />
opportunities in the region.<br />
www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
17
SUPERYACHT FACILITIES<br />
Dock Maarten – now (right) and in 2020<br />
(below). Significant thought, effort and<br />
investment has gone into developing the<br />
marina to help fill a market gap.<br />
of the main shopping districts and<br />
tourist destinations on the island. The<br />
marina property has a gym, shops, VIP<br />
showers and bathrooms, restaurants,<br />
bars and a beach, and guests can<br />
walk along the boardwalk through the<br />
town to many other amenities. Dock<br />
Maarten is continuing to add to the<br />
property’s amenities with padel and<br />
pickle ball courts, volleyball courts, a<br />
pool, more food and beverage options<br />
and shopping. There will also be more<br />
service-related additions to the marina<br />
including a machine shop, a chandlery<br />
and support offices.<br />
The marina is designed to allow<br />
visitors to drive directly up to every slip,<br />
where high-speed fuelling, pump-out<br />
services, heavy equipment and other<br />
services are on offer. “The marina’s<br />
design also allows us to offer shipyard<br />
services because we can get heavy<br />
equipment and scaffolding directly next<br />
to the yacht,” Deher explains.<br />
Ideal location<br />
St Maarten is ideally situated in the<br />
northeast of the Caribbean, just 15<br />
miles (24km) to St Barths and seven<br />
miles (11km) to Anguilla – both<br />
popular charter destinations – and<br />
centrally located between the two main<br />
megayacht ports in the region. The<br />
island also has airlift facilities to the US<br />
and Europe, making it an ideal place for<br />
crew or guests to join the yacht.<br />
Other megayacht slips on the<br />
island are located in the Simpson Bay<br />
Lagoon, which can only be accessed by<br />
going through the Simpson Bay Bridge.<br />
This “has draft and beam limitations,<br />
opens on a fixed schedule, and can be<br />
difficult to navigate depending on the<br />
weather and size of the yacht,” says<br />
Deher.<br />
“We’ve found that while we focused<br />
on the yachts too large to enter the<br />
lagoon, many yachts that can easily<br />
enter Simpson Bay Lagoon still visit<br />
Dock Maarten as a destination while<br />
on charter. The water in Great Bay is<br />
crystal clear and we have a beach on<br />
the outside of our cofferdam. Guests<br />
can swim right from the marina or<br />
use the vessel’s water toys in the bay<br />
while the yacht is safely moored at the<br />
marina.”<br />
The marina has a mix of transient<br />
and permanent vessels, most are<br />
transient but Dock Maarten does offer<br />
annual and long-term slip agreements.<br />
Expansion plans<br />
Deher, who specialises in designing,<br />
building and operating megayacht<br />
facilities, says the family wants to<br />
continue to focus on megayachts and<br />
their needs. “Currently, the Caribbean<br />
is frequented only by a small majority<br />
of yachts in the world. Most stay in the<br />
Mediterranean, the US or other parts<br />
of the world. As we develop better<br />
facilities, offer more services, and<br />
promote unique events, I believe the<br />
Caribbean market will continue to grow<br />
quite steadily,” he says.<br />
“Dock Maarten is heavily focused<br />
on expanding the service side of the<br />
business as that is one of the areas<br />
where the Caribbean is lacking. When<br />
we expand the service side of the<br />
yachting industry in the Caribbean, we<br />
will increase the length of time yachts<br />
stay in the region and help increase<br />
the job opportunities for locals that<br />
are able to work on repairing and<br />
maintaining yachts. St Maarten is<br />
widely considered the best island in the<br />
Caribbean to provision and get repairs<br />
and maintenance done because of the<br />
many skilled professionals on the island<br />
and because of the duty free status and<br />
ease of travel to the US and Europe.”<br />
For now, Deher intends to wait until<br />
the marina has evolved over the next<br />
few years and gained a core customer<br />
base. “Several customers have<br />
requested long-term berthing rights<br />
to Dock Maarten’s largest slips due to<br />
our proximity to St Barths, the limited<br />
number of 100m+ slips in the world and<br />
the home-port features that an island<br />
like St Maarten can offer,” he says.<br />
www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
19
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SUPERYACHT FACILITIES<br />
Luring megayachts<br />
to Golfito<br />
<strong>Marina</strong> Bahia Golfito, a redeveloped marina on the Pacific coast of the Central<br />
American country of Costa Rica, is an impressive example of how floating<br />
dock systems can be installed for superyacht berthing in idyllic environments.<br />
Owner and developer Enjoy Group<br />
has taken full advantage of the marina’s<br />
deep water and sheltered position to<br />
reinvent the facility, and not only double<br />
its superyacht capacity but do so in<br />
style by extending the offering to yachts<br />
up to 100m (330ft) in length.<br />
The developers opted to complement<br />
an existing aluminium pontoon<br />
system with a floating concrete dock<br />
arrangement from SF <strong>Marina</strong>, and to<br />
secure the docks with environmentally<br />
friendly Seaflex mooring hawsers.<br />
<strong>Marina</strong> Bahia Golfito is no stranger to<br />
Seaflex as the company was involved<br />
back in 2016 when the marina was first<br />
built.<br />
“When it was time to expand and,<br />
given our stress and maintenance free<br />
experience with the existing marina, it<br />
was natural for us to renew our trust<br />
with Seaflex and its elastic mooring,”<br />
said marina director Pedro Abdalla<br />
Slon. Seaflex CEO, Lars Brandt, is<br />
equally positive. “We are thankful<br />
<strong>Marina</strong> Bahia Golfito chose Seaflex<br />
again for its well-designed expansion.<br />
Seaflex, coupled with SF <strong>Marina</strong><br />
Systems’ concrete docks is a state-ofthe-art<br />
solution for superyachts.”<br />
Super-spec docks<br />
The new SF docks run perpendicular<br />
to a 36ft (11m) walkway and comprises<br />
three piers measuring 295ft (90m) long<br />
x 20ft (6m) wide; 197ft (60m) long x<br />
16ft (5m) wide; and 147ft (45m) long x<br />
16ft (5m) wide. This allows the marina<br />
to host two 300ft (91m) superyachts,<br />
two 200ft (61m) vessels and two<br />
150ft (46m) yachts. The docks are<br />
equipped with aluminium bull bollards<br />
of 40 tonnes breaking load, large<br />
utility boxes for electrical conduits and<br />
pedestals, and are connected using<br />
SF W400 flexible connectors which<br />
have a breaking load of 2 x 99 tons<br />
per joint. The Seaflex mooring hawsers<br />
– inherently elastic – can withstand a<br />
substantial drag force.<br />
Although the marina is well-sheltered,<br />
the SF docking pontoons are built<br />
to withstand hard commercial use<br />
and extreme weather conditions. By<br />
virtue of their substantial mass, they<br />
offer sufficient stability for vehicle<br />
use. Maintenance-free and virtually<br />
unsinkable, the docks have a 2ft (0.6m)<br />
freeboard and are equipped with<br />
400A/400V electric outlets, potable<br />
water and other utilities in concealed<br />
ducts. A separate high-capacity fuel<br />
dock offering the fastest fuel pumps in<br />
the country – in fact the fastest between<br />
Cabo San Lucas in Mexico and<br />
Above & right: Redeveloped <strong>Marina</strong> Bahia<br />
Golfito is set in a gulf within a gulf framed<br />
by the lush mangroves of two national<br />
parks. The marina is well-sheltered and<br />
located close to the amenities of the town of<br />
Golfito and its domestic airport.<br />
www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
21
SUPERYACHT FACILITIES<br />
SF floating concrete pontoons, moored<br />
by Seaflex, withstand hard commercial<br />
use and extreme weather conditions.<br />
Chile – can service two superyachts<br />
simultaneously.<br />
Infrastructure in an<br />
eco paradise<br />
“<strong>Marina</strong> Bahia Golfito is a secluded<br />
tropical gem,” said SF <strong>Marina</strong><br />
international project director Peter<br />
Santesson. “During the design phase of<br />
the project, we worked extensively with<br />
Enjoy Group to ensure the new docks<br />
would complement the quality and<br />
aesthetic of the extensive upscaling<br />
they were undertaking.” The “upscale”<br />
aim has been to expand the marina<br />
and create an intimate, village-style<br />
destination, not only for yachts to berth<br />
At least six superyachts in the 300ft<br />
(91m) to 150ft (46m) range can moor<br />
up at the new dock arrangement which<br />
complements the smaller boat berths.<br />
but for avid sport fishermen, tourists,<br />
international home owners and Costa<br />
Rican residents to enjoy.<br />
The marina setting is unashamedly<br />
idyllic. Golfito itself is a port town of<br />
some note, located on the Golfo Dulce<br />
opposite the Osa Peninsula in the<br />
southern region of Costa Rica. It is a<br />
gulf within a gulf framed by the lush<br />
mangroves of Corcovado and Piedras<br />
Blancas National Parks and home to<br />
some of the world’s richest biodiversity.<br />
The town benefits from being a small<br />
community but offers wide-ranging<br />
attractions, such as whale watching,<br />
hiking in the tropical rainforest,<br />
snorkelling, horseback riding, scuba<br />
diving, kayaking and surfing. And, while<br />
offering a level of privacy and seclusion<br />
that sets it apart from the average<br />
tourist spot, it is also easily accessible<br />
– especially by plane. The marina<br />
is very close to the town of Golfito’s<br />
domestic airport and flights connect<br />
to San José, the nation’s capital.<br />
Plans to extend and expand<br />
<strong>Marina</strong> Bahia Golfito have been<br />
influenced by the rise of ecotourism<br />
and careful thought is<br />
being given to preserving the<br />
environment at every level. The first<br />
steps include the development of 11<br />
waterfront villas, 40 condominiums,<br />
six restaurants and 20 boutique<br />
shops to complement an existing<br />
boutique hotel and restaurant. A<br />
high percentage (perhaps around<br />
85%) of residential property buyers<br />
are expected to come from the<br />
USA and the target demographic<br />
includes vacation home owners looking<br />
for adventurous destinations.<br />
Year-round superyachts<br />
Another big push for <strong>Marina</strong> Bahia<br />
Golfito is the knock-on effect of the<br />
introduction of a new marina law<br />
in 2021. This gave marinas fairer<br />
concession periods and opened<br />
up charter opportunities for foreign<br />
superyachts of 24m (79ft) and above.<br />
With appropriate permits, such vessels<br />
can now be chartered legally and<br />
remain in the country for potentially<br />
two years. The law, in part the result<br />
of lobbying by the Costa Rica <strong>Marina</strong><br />
Association, was implemented in a bid<br />
to boost the economy of coastal zones<br />
and attract investors.<br />
Enjoy Group, which is an experienced<br />
developer and manager of tourismbased<br />
projects in Costa<br />
Rica and other Central<br />
American countries,<br />
expands the appeal of<br />
<strong>Marina</strong> Bahia Golfito<br />
via its partnership with<br />
IGY whose international<br />
marina management<br />
and ownership portfolio<br />
is high-end. It will also<br />
be able to benefit from<br />
the fruits of investment<br />
in safe, secure docks<br />
carefully configured within<br />
a deepwater basin; and<br />
the upside of being the<br />
closest deepwater marina<br />
in Costa Rica to the<br />
Pacific exit of the Panama<br />
Canal.<br />
www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
23
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SUPERYACHT FACILITIES<br />
Lusben development<br />
boosts refit standards<br />
Lusben, the historic refit and repair yard, which is now part of the Azimut-<br />
Benetti Group, is transforming the Italian port of Livorno into a one-stop<br />
service centre for motor and sailing megayachts. The overarching project also<br />
involves shipyards in Varazze and Viareggio. Donatella Zucca reports<br />
Strengthened by a 2,500 ton shiplift,<br />
a 180m (590ft) long floating dock, a<br />
pressurised paint booth (ventilated and<br />
heated up to 70°C/158°F), and much<br />
more, the Lusben development project<br />
offers unprecedented standards for<br />
luxury yacht refits.<br />
The commitment is made easier by<br />
being part of the Azimut-Benetti Group;<br />
the largest builder in the world of yachts<br />
over 24m (79ft). The biggest yachts are<br />
built in Livorno where Benetti is able<br />
to simultaneously build three vessels<br />
of over 100m (330ft) and launch them<br />
within 100 days. Examples include the<br />
107m (351ft) yachts Luminosity and<br />
Lana, and the 108m (354ft) IJE.<br />
Part of the Lusben upgrade also<br />
sweetens the path for sailing yachts.<br />
Since 2022 a new concession basin<br />
has been able to accommodate vessels<br />
such as the famous 88m (289ft)<br />
three-masted Maltese Falcon, which<br />
has recently been refitted. A modular<br />
inspection pit is being constructed for<br />
sailing ship daggerboards up to 70m<br />
(230ft), with variable width and depth<br />
so as to also receive fully extended<br />
centreboards and manage the entire<br />
maintenance process.<br />
Lusben also features a ‘technical’<br />
marina with perfectly equipped docks<br />
and moorings for the largest vessels,<br />
supported by free Wi-Fi, concierge and<br />
24-hour mooring assistance including<br />
connection/disconnection of electricity<br />
supply. A dedicated car park, CCTV<br />
video surveillance and a security guard<br />
complete the picture.<br />
Currently, and still within the scope<br />
of Azimut-Benetti, Lusben also has<br />
important infrastructure and equipment<br />
in <strong>Marina</strong> di Varazze and also in<br />
Viareggio but it owes much to its own<br />
history of offering refits and tailormade<br />
services for every type of vessel<br />
since 1956. It continues to offer a 360°<br />
customer care dedicated to captains<br />
and crew before, after and during the<br />
refit process. There are guest quarters<br />
and entertainment areas, laundry,<br />
tailoring, and cleaning and security<br />
services when yachts are unmanned.<br />
Various touristic, cultural, sporting<br />
and medical services are available via<br />
specific partners as well as training<br />
courses and fully-equipped offices.<br />
Equally important is the management<br />
service covering technical<br />
documentation relating to the rules,<br />
regulations and requirements inherent<br />
to refit and repair activities, which must<br />
Lusben Livorno is being developed to work<br />
on the world’s largest yachts.<br />
be obtained from classification bodies<br />
to guarantee the safety of people and<br />
transported goods.<br />
Heading up the expansion of Lusben<br />
is Giorgio Casareto, director of <strong>Marina</strong><br />
di Varazze, and responsible for the<br />
development of the other Azimut-<br />
Benetti marinas as general manager of<br />
the new corporate structure. He works<br />
with Giovanni Paladino, the commercial<br />
director, Alessandro Lazzerini, who<br />
heads up production, planning,<br />
logistics and project management,<br />
and procurement manager Leonardo<br />
Santini.<br />
The total project figure runs at €19<br />
million, of which €12 million is being<br />
spent on Livorno alone. Within three<br />
years, this substantial investment<br />
will see delivery of a new 22ha (54.3<br />
acre) basin area – and thus even more<br />
opportunity for refit projects to build<br />
on Lusben’s success, which has a<br />
growth forecast<br />
of around 10%<br />
per annum for<br />
the next three<br />
years. The yard<br />
closed 2023<br />
with a turnover<br />
of around €45<br />
million but<br />
Paladino is<br />
cautious, “it’s<br />
possible that<br />
Giovanni Paladino<br />
<strong>2024</strong> could be slower depending on<br />
how the market goes.”<br />
In the near future, Lusben will benefit<br />
from the close proximity of a 600-berth<br />
tourist port thanks to the recent, hard<br />
fought 40-year concession obtained by<br />
Porta a Mare SpA. This company was<br />
founded in 2003 with the involvement<br />
of Azimut-Benetti but the Group<br />
subsequently pulled out. “The project<br />
does not involve Lusben,” Paladino<br />
clarifies, “but having a nice marina<br />
nearby, like our competitors in Antibes<br />
and Barcelona, can only be positive.<br />
Having tourist areas and ports around<br />
is good.”<br />
Talking to Paladino<br />
Q: You have experience in other areas<br />
outside Lusben. Is there a sector or<br />
company that has particularly inspired<br />
you or given you inspiration for running<br />
this business?<br />
A: Certainly Bombardier, in the<br />
approach to the product as well as<br />
the production, in after-sales service<br />
www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
25
THE BIGGEST FLOATING PONTOON<br />
MANUFACTURER IN ASIA<br />
www.livartmarine.net<br />
livart@livartmarine.net
SUPERYACHT FACILITIES<br />
and, in particular, asset management.<br />
However, I have also worked in the<br />
small cruise ship sector, which has<br />
a similar dynamic to the megayacht<br />
market. Both, perhaps more so the<br />
latter, inspire both asset management<br />
and the 360° assistance concept.<br />
Q: Is the growth in newbuild or repair<br />
and refit for large yachts the prevailing<br />
reason for Lusben’s development?<br />
A: In the near future we expect a<br />
significant increase in refit work as in<br />
the recent past, due to the pandemic,<br />
important developments have taken<br />
place with regard to new products. We<br />
expect some stability now so that the<br />
refit area can be further expanded.<br />
Our strategy is synergistic with regard<br />
to continuing to be a leader for both<br />
newbuild and refit.<br />
Q: In a post-pandemic climate that is<br />
rife with political instability and warfare,<br />
what is the large yacht market asking<br />
for in terms of refit, and what are the<br />
main issues?<br />
A: At the moment, the market is asking<br />
the refit world to accommodate vessels<br />
to the schedules and volumes required.<br />
This is not trivial as it depends on<br />
infrastructure; there aren’t that many<br />
shipyards. The first requirement,<br />
therefore, is to have adequate<br />
infrastructure, and the second, efficient<br />
performance. This needs to take<br />
into account the lengthening of the<br />
seasons, the demand to have yachts<br />
available, and the lengthening of their<br />
time of use. Yacht owners require even<br />
complex work to be completed in a<br />
shorter time and the dynamics become<br />
more complicated when the vessels<br />
spend longer at sea. This means<br />
that it’s becoming important to have<br />
widespread presence so that yacht<br />
owners can be supported in multiple<br />
places.<br />
Q: Do Livorno, Viareggio and Varazze<br />
have different shipbuilding structures<br />
and company dynamics or are they<br />
pieces of a single company strategy?<br />
A: They are different structures that partly<br />
follow a group strategy. The approach to<br />
the customer is identical and there are<br />
no differences in terms of workmanship<br />
or in the methods of managing the<br />
yacht. The change in structure, however,<br />
gives us diversification. For Varazze,<br />
the strategy is to refit vessels up to a<br />
maximum length of 48m (157ft) and to<br />
focus on those with heritage value so as<br />
to best use the shipwrights skilled with<br />
wood that were employed back when it<br />
was a Baglietto shipyard. For Viareggio,<br />
the centre of gravity is yachts of 35 to<br />
52m (115 to 171ft), and in Livorno it’s<br />
limitless dimensions to cover the very<br />
largest yachts.<br />
The famous 88m (289ft) three-masted<br />
Maltese Falcon has recently<br />
been refitted at Lusben Livorno.<br />
Q: Can you give some examples of<br />
new equipment, especially advanced<br />
technology, that is being installed in the<br />
yards?<br />
A: In Livorno, for example, the ship<br />
lift has more advanced technology<br />
than the travel lift and the painting<br />
booth is operated in a controlled<br />
environment. We use 3D technology<br />
to provide drawings, calculate internal<br />
volumes etc., for yachts so that we<br />
can deliver an interior design proposal.<br />
At the moment, we don’t have an AI<br />
application for the shipyard although<br />
I would see this linked to onboard<br />
systems.<br />
Q: What investments are your<br />
priorities?<br />
A: Modernisation of the entire site,<br />
including the squares, existing<br />
buildings, storage areas and crew<br />
lounge. The main infrastructure<br />
The focus at Lusben Viareggio is work on<br />
yachts of 35 to 52m (115 to 171ft).<br />
www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
27
SUPERYACHT FACILITIES<br />
Lusben Varazze refits vessels up to 48m<br />
(157ft), taking special advantage of its<br />
shipwrights skilled in working with wood.<br />
investment, however, is the area for<br />
large sailing yachts. Existing technology<br />
is being upgraded and there are also<br />
organisational changes. We have set<br />
up a corporate body that takes care<br />
of commercial, operational, quality,<br />
project management and customer<br />
care. It’s a more structured and modern<br />
organisation.<br />
Q: What are the most requested<br />
services by owners, crews and captains<br />
of large yachts?<br />
A: The crews are asking to be looked<br />
after in terms of accommodation<br />
and recreational opportunities and<br />
want functional logistics and efficient<br />
services. Fitness, gym, spa and<br />
sporting activities are also important.<br />
In Livorno, we are developing an entire<br />
crew area and Viareggio already has<br />
guest houses and lounges for the crews<br />
as well as proximity to restaurants<br />
and pubs. Captains and crews ask<br />
for efficiency in terms of tools, such<br />
as cranes, and processes, such as<br />
unstepping.<br />
Q: How does your plan fit with<br />
environmental concerns?<br />
A: We are working on it. Currently, we<br />
are modernising certain technologies<br />
and sustainability is an element that<br />
we have always actively looked at. We<br />
are collaborating with the International<br />
Council of Marine Industry Associations<br />
(ICOMIA) to define eco-compatible<br />
standards for construction sites.<br />
Since 1963 Walcon has proven itself to be a<br />
worldwide leader in the design, construction and<br />
installation of marinas and berthing facilities,<br />
<br />
182x132mm_Walcon_Anniversary_Final.indd 1 23/06/2023 11:18<br />
28 www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
BUYING & SELLING MARINAS<br />
Recently sold by CBRE, Faro Blanco<br />
in Marathon, Florida Keys, is a<br />
trophy marina with an iconic historic<br />
lighthouse, plentiful amenities, and<br />
mooring for vessels up to 140ft (43m).<br />
Trading covetable assets<br />
Buying and selling marinas has become a highly lucrative niche in the global<br />
property/real estate market. What are the trends? Who are the buyers? How<br />
do you prepare for sale? <strong>Marina</strong> <strong>World</strong> spoke to key professionals at leading<br />
property companies CBRE (Julie Fisher Berry/JFB), Simply <strong>Marina</strong>s (Michelle<br />
Ash/MA), Current Capital Real Estate Group (Calum Winsor/CW) and partners<br />
Investors Realty Services, Inc (Christian Johannsen/CJ) primarily with regard<br />
to the market in Florida.<br />
Q: Can you give an outline of<br />
the scope of transactions you’ve<br />
covered over the past two years?<br />
JFB: The CBRE <strong>Marina</strong> Group is<br />
recognised as the primary source of<br />
signature marine property transactions.<br />
The group specialises solely in<br />
premier marinas and superyacht<br />
facilities, having executed over US$2.5<br />
billion in recent marina and shipyard<br />
transactions including notable facilities<br />
such as Lauderdale Marine Center and<br />
Rybovich Yachting Center. CBRE is the<br />
largest commercial real estate firm in<br />
the world. Its global platform positions<br />
The CBRE <strong>Marina</strong> Group for US and<br />
international transactions alike.<br />
CBRE <strong>Marina</strong> Group has transacted<br />
approximately US$300 million in recent<br />
superyacht marina and refit facility<br />
transactions. Although we are currently<br />
representing owners throughout the US<br />
and abroad, our recent primary sales<br />
occurred in South Florida. One of our<br />
signature transactions included the sale<br />
of The Perry Hotel and Stock Island<br />
<strong>Marina</strong> in Key West, Florida. This asset<br />
traded well in to nine figures, however<br />
the actual price is confidential.<br />
Another premier transaction was<br />
the sale of Lighthouse Point <strong>Marina</strong>,<br />
which is located in the greater Fort<br />
Lauderdale area, just inside the<br />
Hillsboro Inlet. This was a highly sought<br />
after asset due to its location and<br />
immediate access to the Intracoastal<br />
and the ocean. It is a haven for high<br />
end sportfishing yacht owners who<br />
want to be out on the ocean within<br />
minutes. It is difficult to find a<br />
marina in the South Florida market,<br />
especially in Fort Lauderdale. The<br />
value allocation for just the marinas<br />
in these multi-asset properties<br />
typically trade at US$300,000 or<br />
more per slip. This value is based<br />
on a trophy location which has been<br />
maintained, has little to no deferred<br />
maintenance, and provides on-site<br />
amenities.<br />
CBRE <strong>Marina</strong> Group also<br />
represents the long-term leasing<br />
of Sunrise Harbor <strong>Marina</strong>, a<br />
superyacht marina located in the<br />
heart of Fort Lauderdale. Long term<br />
marina leases are another desirable<br />
acquisition. Situated near the Fort<br />
Lauderdale International Boat Show,<br />
this marina has the attributes that<br />
attract the most discerning marina<br />
operators and owners in the industry.<br />
MA: We have been fortunate to have<br />
relationships with new and repeat<br />
marina sellers that culminated in over<br />
US$380 million in marina sales over<br />
the last two years across all regions of<br />
the US. An example of repeat clients<br />
is the sale of a portfolio consisting of<br />
six marinas that we represented. We<br />
worked with the seller initially as a<br />
buyer.<br />
CW: We have sold marinas and<br />
boatyards from the Florida Keys all<br />
Long-term leases have become desirable<br />
acquisitions as they require less capital.<br />
CBRE recently negotiated the sale of the<br />
lease for Sunrise Harbor <strong>Marina</strong> in Fort<br />
Lauderdale, Florida.<br />
30 www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
BUYING & SELLING MARINAS<br />
The sale of Lighthouse Point <strong>Marina</strong> was<br />
a premier transaction in a location where<br />
each slip is typically valued at US$300,000.<br />
the way up through to New York. The<br />
deal size on closed transactions varies<br />
from somewhere between US$7 to 25<br />
million. However, that being said, we<br />
have worked on and continue to work<br />
on deals that are US$4 to 7 million and<br />
much larger marinas in the US$100<br />
million range.<br />
Q: During this two year timeframe,<br />
has there been increased interest<br />
and what types of marinas are most<br />
sought after?<br />
CW: Over the last several years we<br />
have seen an increasing demand for<br />
marinas, and I think this was inevitably<br />
a result of COVID and people wanting<br />
to get away from people and crowds<br />
(where else but on your boat at sea).<br />
We already know boat sales are way<br />
up as a result and given Florida’s all<br />
year-round boat market it has been<br />
a real destination for all, or at least<br />
on their radars, and given that these<br />
boating markets were only shortly<br />
impacted from lockdown restrictions<br />
they performed well given the<br />
circumstances.<br />
There is also a decreasing supply<br />
of marinas due to the ever-growing<br />
waterfront luxury real estate and<br />
condo markets. There have been many<br />
instances of waterfront marina/boatyard<br />
operations that turn into some new high<br />
rise development to maximise the land<br />
use and gentrification. Private Equity<br />
and REITs were never on the radar for<br />
There is an increase in dry storage<br />
demand especially as racking and boat<br />
moving technology develops. Current<br />
Capital sold Stump Pass <strong>Marina</strong> within the<br />
past two years.<br />
the marina industry, I think because<br />
marina assets can be quite complex<br />
real estate asset classes compared to<br />
your typical cookie cutter multi-family,<br />
industrial or retail properties. I think<br />
when SUN Communities purchased<br />
Safe Harbor <strong>Marina</strong>s in 2020 for<br />
US$2.11 billion that brought a whole<br />
new set of eyes to the table and interest<br />
from all over the world, because who<br />
wouldn’t want to own waterfront real<br />
estate in a thriving market and asset<br />
class?<br />
There is an increase in dry storage<br />
demand as the racking and building<br />
possibilities grow with new technologies<br />
for larger boats, along with increasing<br />
forklift capabilities, which all in allow<br />
for a safe secure indoor environment<br />
to house boats. However, given the<br />
ever increasing size of yachts and<br />
superyachts these days, if the water<br />
depths are deep enough to support the<br />
vessels, you will find all these wet slip<br />
marinas are usually pretty full. People<br />
with 50/60/70/80ft+ boats obviously<br />
take up more space (which space is<br />
limited) and the desire for bigger and<br />
better isn’t going anywhere.<br />
CJ: The pandemic clearly increased<br />
the demand for boats…but the lowest<br />
interest rate environment in my 52+<br />
year career provided an opportunity for<br />
basically everyone to go purchase their<br />
“28ft centre console” fishing/day boat.<br />
So, we’ve had an enormous increasing<br />
demand.<br />
Also, in Florida in 1989, the Florida<br />
State Legislature enacted the Manatee<br />
Protection Plan (MPP) for 13 counties.<br />
The MPP ensures the long-term<br />
protection of manatees within specific<br />
county boundaries. Each of these 13<br />
counties is now allowed a maximum<br />
number of vessels collectively (both dry<br />
and wet). So, for example, if a county<br />
is limited to 5,000 boats, and it already<br />
has 4,850 vessels, one could only add<br />
150 racks/wet slips – irrespective of<br />
the demand for same. This has really<br />
put a damper on the supply side of the<br />
equation.<br />
MA: The past two years have continued<br />
to see a spike in marina acquisitions<br />
fuelled by new funds and groups<br />
entering the market. Investors are<br />
attracted to marinas due to the limited<br />
waterfront and therefore limited spaces<br />
to build marinas, attractive cap rates<br />
and accelerated depreciation. Add<br />
to this the appeal that waterfront<br />
properties have.<br />
Various factors have continued to<br />
accelerate and keep the marina market<br />
strong and attractive: new funds and<br />
www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
31
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BUYING & SELLING MARINAS<br />
Calum Winsor was involved in the sale of the high end Marathon <strong>Marina</strong> resort,<br />
which caters for a broad range of vessels and RVs.<br />
Wall Street players who entered<br />
the market; the pandemic effect<br />
on increase of boat sales driving<br />
marina occupancy near 100%<br />
occupancy, in general; cash buyers<br />
and alternative funding; and<br />
attractive cap rates compared to<br />
other commercial real estate asset<br />
types.<br />
<strong>Marina</strong>s with mainly rental<br />
income from wet or dry slips as<br />
well as established long term<br />
commercial tenants are attractive<br />
due to lower risk and higher<br />
returns. <strong>Marina</strong>s with amenities are<br />
also a factor buyers prefer in order<br />
to maintain and attract customers.<br />
JFB: <strong>Marina</strong>s have been a highly<br />
coveted asset. Two years ago,<br />
we would sell marinas before<br />
going out to the open market. It<br />
was a seller’s market, and the<br />
buyers were ready. The desire to<br />
acquire marinas has remained<br />
strong. However, changing market<br />
conditions have recently affected<br />
some buyers in how they acquire<br />
assets and how they assess the<br />
upside potential for increased<br />
value. The market did not change<br />
the appetite to acquire marinas,<br />
just the method by which they are<br />
acquired.<br />
As this asset class becomes<br />
increasingly desirable, new<br />
investors are entering the space<br />
and request to be on the selective<br />
list when we are selling a marine<br />
property. As many groups tighten<br />
their approach, it has provided an<br />
opportunity for others to acquire<br />
trophy locations through their<br />
willingness to be aggressive,<br />
knowing that there is always an<br />
upside in rates due to the lack of<br />
available slips. Supply and demand<br />
dictates markets, and this is no<br />
exception. The lack of supply<br />
has driven the rates up and it is<br />
not likely to change in the active<br />
yachting markets.<br />
Additionally, there is a market<br />
for long term marina leases.<br />
We have represented private<br />
owners and public entities in the<br />
bid process to operate premier<br />
marinas. The benefit of a lease is<br />
the reduction of capital needed for<br />
the price of an acquisition. Capital<br />
improvements may be needed,<br />
however this is subject to the<br />
condition of the marina, structure<br />
of the bid, and revenue sharing<br />
agreement.<br />
<strong>Marina</strong>s that accommodate<br />
vessels from 40ft [12m] up to<br />
superyachts over 180ft [55m] will<br />
always be in demand in active<br />
yachting areas. Buyers typically<br />
seek marinas with greater than 100<br />
slips, or any size marina that can<br />
accommodate megayachts, which<br />
command a much higher rate per<br />
linear foot. As a board member for<br />
the US Superyacht Association<br />
and Marine Industries Association<br />
of South Florida, I continue to see<br />
the reports showing a consistent<br />
upward trending demand for larger<br />
yachts.<br />
More yachts are coming<br />
online while availability of slips<br />
is declining as marine properties<br />
succumb to other types of<br />
development. Our purpose is<br />
to promote the marine industry<br />
domestically and internationally, so<br />
that we protect marina operators<br />
and berths to accommodate the<br />
increasing number of yachts<br />
entering the market each year. It<br />
is critical to our industry. And it is<br />
The <strong>Marina</strong> Owner’s Guide –<br />
How to Prepare<br />
your <strong>Marina</strong> for Sale<br />
The guide is divided into three sections. The<br />
first covers ongoing awareness and steps<br />
taken throughout the marina ownership;<br />
the second highlights steps to take as<br />
you approach the decision to sell; and the<br />
third addresses aspects of the sale. The<br />
publication provides recommendations that<br />
cover: pre-sale strategic planning, valuation,<br />
buyer qualifications, due diligence, contract<br />
negotiations and exit strategy. The guide<br />
aims to increase the marina’s appeal, add<br />
value, and offer a negotiation advantage that<br />
will be useful in discussions with buyers.<br />
“We suggest that marina owners allow<br />
sufficient time well ahead of when they plan<br />
to sell, to be able to implement some of<br />
these recommendations,” Michelle Ash says.<br />
The Guide covers three stages for preparing a<br />
marina for sale:<br />
Ongoing Preparation<br />
• Study the <strong>Marina</strong> Market<br />
• Understand what <strong>Marina</strong> Buyers Look For<br />
• Identify New Profit Centres<br />
• Explore Expansion Potential<br />
• Maintain Reliable Financial Records<br />
• Examine Deferred Maintenance<br />
Exploring the Sale: Pre-Sale Strategic<br />
Planning<br />
• Build Your Sales Team<br />
• Your <strong>Marina</strong> Broker<br />
Time to Sell: Ensuring a Smooth Sale<br />
• Confidential Sale or Open Market<br />
• Prepare a Due Diligence Package<br />
• Prequalifying a Buyer: Financing and Price<br />
• The Purchase and Sale Agreement<br />
• The Transition<br />
“We have put together this guide to provide<br />
marina sellers with the insights we’ve compiled<br />
to ease the process of selling your marina,<br />
achieving a seamless sales transition, and<br />
unlocking the full potential of your marina<br />
investment,” Ash explains.<br />
<strong>Marina</strong> owners can request a digital copy<br />
from: team@simplymarinas.com<br />
Michelle Ash, founder and principal of Simply<br />
<strong>Marina</strong>s, has an MBA, a PhD, and a post<br />
doctorate in business management related<br />
fields. She was CEO of a PBS affiliate with<br />
150 employees and a US$50 million budget.<br />
National director, George Ash, undertook<br />
graduate work in real estate finance and<br />
has a BA in hospitality and recreation. He<br />
managed and owned award-winning hospitality<br />
businesses. They are also marina investors and<br />
lenders.<br />
www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
33
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BUYING & SELLING MARINAS<br />
Sunset Harbor in New York is now under<br />
new ownership following a sale negotiated<br />
by Current Capital Real Estate.<br />
THE CAST<br />
Julie Fisher Berry<br />
Senior vice president,<br />
CBRE Capital Markets<br />
CBRE <strong>Marina</strong> Group |<br />
<strong>Marina</strong>s and Superyacht<br />
Facilities<br />
julie.berry@cbre.com<br />
+1 954.562.3270<br />
Christian Johannsen<br />
Chairman and CEO,<br />
Investors Realty Service,<br />
Inc<br />
cjohannsen@<br />
inreserve.com<br />
+1 305 586 5351<br />
because of this demand that the marina<br />
asset class will continue to increase as<br />
a coveted investment as new investors<br />
enter the market.<br />
Q: Do you see chains/groups<br />
expanding and additional chains<br />
developing?<br />
JFB: All marina investors are expanding,<br />
however many have greater access to<br />
capital and can expand more rapidly<br />
than others. Chains are expanding but<br />
they sometimes have certain restrictions<br />
which have allowed newer groups a<br />
better opportunity to enter the market<br />
and begin developing portfolios.<br />
CW: Yes, we are seeing new capital<br />
finding new groups with the desire for<br />
each to acquire as many marinas as<br />
possible and expand in all markets.<br />
CJ: Absolutely. The “institutional” world<br />
has finally caught on to the “cash flow<br />
cows” of marinas. We’ve seen at least<br />
four to six new entries into the marinas<br />
space that were not here before.<br />
MA: Several funds and groups entering<br />
the market have contacted us with<br />
the intent of placing large investment<br />
amounts in marinas. Their intent is to<br />
create a marina portfolio and in some<br />
cases to partner with proven marina<br />
operators. Established marina groups<br />
who have consolidated several marinas<br />
continue to expand due to economy of<br />
scale, higher returns, and competitive<br />
edge.<br />
Q: Is there a market for selling a<br />
single marina for buyers who wish<br />
to run it as their sole business (i.e.<br />
a new generation of start-up family/<br />
private ownership)?<br />
MA: Very much so. Larger companies<br />
prefer marinas over US$10 million or so<br />
and have stringent requirements.<br />
Individual buyers, lifestyle buyers,<br />
marina operators, and end users are<br />
here to stay. Keep in mind that in spite<br />
of recent consolidation of marinas by<br />
larger groups, the majority of marinas<br />
are still mom and pop owned and make<br />
a good match for individual buyers.<br />
JFB: There is a market for selling<br />
a single marina. However, it is hard<br />
for a lone buyer to compete with the<br />
highly funded investment groups in<br />
prime locations which tend to sell for<br />
higher prices and lower cap rates. If a<br />
single marina is in a non-metro area,<br />
it presents a better opportunity for a<br />
single marina buyer.<br />
CW: Are you referring to a family private<br />
ownership looking to sell their marina?<br />
If so yes, we have helped many private<br />
individuals and families sell their<br />
marinas. If you are asking if the marina<br />
class is a new possibility for families,<br />
I think that is often how it starts, from<br />
boat sales, to boat service and storage,<br />
these individuals and families establish<br />
a great business and service to get<br />
ahead and work well in markets.<br />
<strong>Marina</strong>s can be time and cost<br />
prohibitive compared to other asset<br />
classes, which requires patience<br />
and flexibility in having to deal<br />
with Department of Environmental<br />
Management (DEP), Army Corps<br />
of Engineers (ACOE), MPP and<br />
other governmental agencies to get<br />
approvals, and the cost to construct<br />
(seawalls, dredging etc). That being<br />
said, there is a lack of marina<br />
developers and groups willing to<br />
undergo the time and risk these days.<br />
Calum Winsor<br />
Current Capital Real<br />
Estate Group<br />
cwinsor@cc-reg.com<br />
+1 954 966 8181<br />
Michelle Ash<br />
Principal, Simply <strong>Marina</strong>s<br />
ash1@<br />
simplymarinas.com<br />
+1 305 439 9581<br />
I think that there is a need for more<br />
marina developers to expand and grow<br />
the limited supply of marinas. I think<br />
people can be extremely successful if<br />
they pursue this as their sole business<br />
but do need to understand the industry<br />
and hurdles they will face.<br />
CJ: It used to be more so with<br />
individuals. Today, individuals/<br />
families can’t afford the time or cost.<br />
If you could develop a new marina (or<br />
redevelop an old), it could conceivably<br />
take around three years to get the<br />
necessary permits from Department of<br />
Environmental Resource Management<br />
(DERM), DEP and ACOE.<br />
Furthermore, pricing and costs<br />
have increased so much that a marina<br />
acquisition today is probably well<br />
beyond the ability of most individuals/<br />
families. The average sale price of the<br />
marinas we’ve sold in the last three<br />
years is US$17 million…<br />
Q: What tips would you give a marina<br />
owner wishing to sell?<br />
JFB: The best thing a seller can do to<br />
prepare for a sale is to have as much<br />
documentation compiled and organised<br />
as possible. Having their financials<br />
in order, along with other documents<br />
www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
35
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BUYING & SELLING MARINAS<br />
Four Corners <strong>Marina</strong> and RV Park was<br />
part of a portfolio of six marinas positioned<br />
for sale and sold by Simply <strong>Marina</strong>s.<br />
relating to the condition of the marina,<br />
including surveys, recent capital<br />
improvements, permits, etc., makes the<br />
process much smoother.<br />
When we represent sellers, we assist<br />
with obtaining due diligence items<br />
needed for a seamless transaction. We<br />
guide them in preparing how to best<br />
present the highest and best value and<br />
work with them through the entire sale<br />
process. Professional and experienced<br />
representation helps a seller achieve<br />
the best value through seeking<br />
interested parties who participate in<br />
a bid process. It is essential to have<br />
all the necessary information for the<br />
process to be successful.<br />
CW: First work on understanding the<br />
market as a whole and think creatively.<br />
CJ: Be prepared. Know the condition<br />
(and age) of everything – seawalls,<br />
docks, piers, pilings; know all the<br />
allowable entitlements. Are there any<br />
environmental issues? Is the asset<br />
in compliance with all governmental<br />
regulations? A well prepared seller can<br />
really add value to their asset.<br />
MA: For decades, the Simply <strong>Marina</strong>s<br />
team has assisted sellers with presale<br />
strategic planning and valuation<br />
before the marina is on the market.<br />
Based on our experience with over<br />
250 marina transactions, we have<br />
recently released a guide that outlines<br />
tips, recommendations and strategies<br />
to help marina owners contemplating<br />
selling their marina: The <strong>Marina</strong><br />
Owner’s Guide – How to Prepare Your<br />
<strong>Marina</strong> for Sale.<br />
In addition to the team’s experience<br />
with marinas, its qualifications<br />
and business background have<br />
contributed to the comprehensive<br />
recommendations provided in the<br />
marina seller’s guide (see p.33).<br />
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www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
37
MARINA CHAINS<br />
Amongst D-Marin’s most recent<br />
acquisitions, 961-berth <strong>Marina</strong> degli<br />
Aregai is one of the largest marinas in<br />
the Italian region of Liguria.<br />
A year of growth,<br />
achievement and<br />
innovation<br />
Premium marina owner and operator D-Marin achieved remarkable things in<br />
2023, expanding its portfolio and strengthening commitment to innovation,<br />
environmental stewardship and customer experience.<br />
“We are pleased that 2023 was<br />
an exceptionally successful year for<br />
D-Marin,” says CEO Oliver Dörschuck.<br />
“Our ambition is to pioneer the sector<br />
with our focus on three strategic<br />
pillars: exceptional customer<br />
service underpinned by digital<br />
innovation; high engagement<br />
for the environmental and local<br />
communities (ESG); and the growth<br />
of the number of marinas in our<br />
selection of premium marinas.<br />
We clearly can see measurable<br />
success in all these areas, building<br />
a great company for our people, our<br />
customers and for today and future<br />
generations.”<br />
Growing the portfolio<br />
Last year D-Marin added ten<br />
marinas to its portfolio and entered<br />
three new territories, Spain, Malta<br />
and Albania. Concurrently, D-Marin<br />
formed a strategic alliance with<br />
the Azimut Benetti Group, aiming<br />
to develop an integrated network<br />
of marinas and enhance the<br />
yachting experience throughout the<br />
Mediterranean. As at December<br />
2023, the Group offered 13,000<br />
berths in nine countries with<br />
ambitious plans to acquire or<br />
partner with more marinas in <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
As 2023 drew to a close, highlight<br />
acquisitions included <strong>Marina</strong> degli<br />
Aregai and <strong>Marina</strong> di Lorenzo<br />
in Liguria, bringing the number<br />
of D-Marin marinas in Italy to a<br />
total of five and boosting the total<br />
portfolio to 26 marinas across the<br />
Mediterranean and Gulf regions.<br />
The new marinas were carefully<br />
selected to fit with the company<br />
mission to provide an enriched yachting<br />
experience to its customers and are<br />
located on the Riviera dei Fori, a 58km<br />
(36mi) stretch of stunning coastline<br />
steeped in natural beauty and cultural<br />
heritage.<br />
<strong>Marina</strong> degli Aregai is one of the<br />
largest marinas in the Liguria region,<br />
with 961 berths accommodating yachts<br />
up to 50m (164ft). The marina offers 24-<br />
hour mooring assistance, a shipyard, a<br />
vibrant shopping complex with over 20<br />
shops, restaurants and a hotel.<br />
<strong>Marina</strong> di San Lorenzo is a premium<br />
marina with 268 berths for boats up to<br />
40m (131ft) and a recent investment<br />
in superyacht berths. It also offers<br />
hotel amenities, with a spa and private<br />
beach.<br />
Turgutreis <strong>Marina</strong> in Turkey, won Best<br />
Overall <strong>Marina</strong> in the 2023 Abu Dhabi<br />
Maritime Awards.<br />
38 www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
MARINA CHAINS<br />
<strong>Marina</strong> de La Duquesa in Málaga is<br />
one of three marinas in Spain in the<br />
D-Marin portfolio.<br />
Innovation and<br />
environment<br />
D-Marin’s commitment to innovation<br />
is evident through significant<br />
initiatives introduced throughout the<br />
year. These include the launch of a<br />
customer app, with features like true<br />
online booking and annual online<br />
renewal; introduction of free boat<br />
sensors for remote monitoring; and<br />
installation of smart pedestals for<br />
remote control of energy and water<br />
consumption.<br />
The company places high priority<br />
on environmental and social<br />
responsibility and made a €1.7<br />
million investment in green energy by<br />
installing solar panels in Turkey and<br />
Croatia, covering 71% of its energy<br />
consumption across five marinas<br />
– the equivalent of the annual<br />
consumption of 1,345 households.<br />
D-Marin also donated over €70,000<br />
to youth sports, culture and volunteer<br />
and social causes in Croatia, Greece<br />
and Turkey while being actively involved<br />
in environmental initiatives engaging<br />
local communities. It conducted<br />
training sessions and HSE awareness<br />
sessions, emphasising its commitment<br />
to sustainable marinas and was<br />
rewarded with a Silver EcoVadis award<br />
for sustainability, and the Blue Flag<br />
Award for 14 of its marinas.<br />
Customer experience<br />
In addition to its achievements in<br />
innovation, environmental sustainability<br />
and community engagement, D-Marin<br />
recorded exceptional Net Promoter<br />
Scores (NPS) for 2023. The NPS,<br />
seen as the gold standard of customer<br />
experience, is used by millions of<br />
businesses globally to track how they<br />
are perceived by customers. The results<br />
are calculated by how likely a customer<br />
is to recommend a service to a friend or<br />
colleague.<br />
With its eye-catching circular basin, D-<strong>Marina</strong> Zea<br />
is a vibrant megayacht marina near the bustling port of Piraeus, Greece.<br />
For the third consecutive year,<br />
the Group witnessed a noteworthy<br />
increase in its NPS, demonstrating<br />
a remarkable improvement of seven<br />
points to reach a value of 51 in 2023.<br />
The elevated NPS aligns D-Marin<br />
with premium and luxury brands<br />
such as Apple, Microsoft and Gucci,<br />
showcasing its commitment to<br />
excellence in customer satisfaction.<br />
“The significant increase of the<br />
NPS reflects the dedication of the<br />
D-Marin team, consistently enhancing<br />
services based on valuable customer<br />
feedback,” notes CCO Dean Smith.<br />
“This commitment is at the core<br />
of D-Marin’s operations, further<br />
satisfying our position as the<br />
preferred choice for yachting<br />
enthusiasts seeking premium<br />
marina services. We utilise the<br />
NPS results to monitor customer<br />
views in real time and look forward<br />
to continuing our outstanding<br />
customer excellence throughout<br />
<strong>2024</strong>. We are deeply committed to<br />
improving our services.”<br />
This dedication to customer<br />
excellence has been recognised<br />
by prestigious awards including<br />
Best Overall <strong>Marina</strong> at the Abu<br />
Dhabi Maritime Awards for D-Marin<br />
Turgutreis marina, the globally<br />
prestigious IF Awards for pioneering<br />
approach to customer experience,<br />
and the digital award from the<br />
Greek Yachting Association.<br />
www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
39
MARINA EVENTS<br />
JoySail joins<br />
the racing elite<br />
Further to its third event in 2023, the Ibiza JoySail Superyacht<br />
Regatta now features in the calendar of top regattas according to<br />
prestigious media partners in the yachting industry. This is a huge<br />
milestone in its blossoming career and a sign of the recognition the<br />
event has gained within the global superyacht racing community.<br />
Ibiza JoySail, promoted by STP<br />
Shipyard Palma and <strong>Marina</strong> Ibiza,<br />
takes place in the breathtaking<br />
waters of Mallorca, Ibiza and<br />
Formentera, and is a thrilling<br />
experience for both experienced<br />
and amateur sailors as there<br />
are various types of categories,<br />
ranging from Performance to the<br />
more gentile Corinthian. There<br />
is no need to change the yacht’s<br />
configuration or take on extra<br />
crew members or sails.<br />
The chance to race in different<br />
categories according to the level<br />
of competition sought by each<br />
owner, and the wonderful family<br />
and friends format to close the<br />
summer season in a laid-back<br />
atmosphere, are two key factors in<br />
the success of the event.<br />
Due to the popularity of the<br />
first two races, JoySail became<br />
invitation-only in 2023 to make<br />
it more exclusive and more<br />
desirable, but also so that the<br />
organisers could have everything<br />
under control and focus on every<br />
last detail, which has always been<br />
highly appreciated by contestants.<br />
The <strong>2024</strong> event (19 th -22 nd<br />
September) will be full of new<br />
developments, with sailing lovers<br />
in Ibiza being given the chance to<br />
break the race record, currently<br />
held by the Swan 115 S/Y Moat.<br />
During a 30-day window before<br />
the race, participants will be able<br />
to set sail at any time, depending<br />
on the weather conditions, in an<br />
attempt to snatch the record from<br />
the Moat team.<br />
GCCM<br />
badges new<br />
Gold Coast<br />
race<br />
Gold Coast City <strong>Marina</strong> & Shipyard (GCCM)<br />
has become ‘Naming Rights’ partner<br />
of Australia’s newest ocean race – the<br />
inaugural GCCM Gold Coast Mackay Yacht<br />
Race, which will set sail on 1 st August.<br />
Australia’s newest race has a magnificent<br />
start location, setting sail from the ocean waters<br />
of Surfers Paradise, and plenty of on-water<br />
and onshore viewing opportunities. Southport<br />
Yacht Club, the race organiser, has launched<br />
the 520nm race as the perfect follow-on from<br />
Noakes Sydney to Gold Coast Race.<br />
GCCM chief operating officer, Andrew<br />
Chapman, says supporting sailing and race<br />
boats is a vital part of the shipyard’s busy<br />
business operations. “As a group of boaties<br />
supporting boaties, GCCM and our marine<br />
trade partners have been servicing and rigging<br />
sailing boats in the Gold Coast for more than<br />
20 years,” he notes, “and we’ve been increasing<br />
our collaboration with race competitors and boat<br />
builders as a specific strategy as I share the<br />
passion for sailing.”<br />
“We are the proud sponsors of Southport<br />
Yacht Club members, such as Xavier Doerr who<br />
attempted to circumnavigate Australia last year.<br />
We sail weekly in GCCM Arctic Blonde, a Hick<br />
39 performance sailing yacht based in Southport,<br />
and have enjoyed supporting Grant Wharington<br />
in the transformation of his super maxi for Sydney<br />
to Hobart at GCCM,” Chapman adds.<br />
All vessel owners registering in the new race<br />
receive 20% off their stay at GCCM, including<br />
berth, lift, water blast, environment and<br />
hardstand fees.<br />
Southport Yacht Club vice commodore of sail,<br />
Glenn Burrell, welcomed GCCM’s support and<br />
recognition of the importance of establishing<br />
this new ocean race for Queensland. “We are<br />
delighted to increase our collaboration and work<br />
with GCCM with so many racing yachts able to<br />
enjoy the peace of mind that GCCM offers for any<br />
refit and repair work to their prize racing yachts,”<br />
he says. “This exciting new partnership will not<br />
just give rise to a very exciting blue water ocean<br />
race for Australia but provide excellent refit and<br />
repair opportunities for our competing sailors.”<br />
40 www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
MARINA EVENTS<br />
The base behind the race<br />
Melanie Symes of Innova <strong>Marina</strong> is prompted by her involvement with the<br />
RORC Transatlantic Race to share her thoughts on the<br />
preparation and logistics required by marinas when hosting<br />
nautical events.<br />
The tenth RORC Transatlantic Race<br />
set off from <strong>Marina</strong> Lanzarote in the<br />
Canary Islands this January and I was<br />
delighted to be invited to run the race<br />
commentary, together with press officer<br />
Trish Jenkins and sailor and writer<br />
Enda O’Coineen.<br />
Many boats in the fleet were new<br />
to me and so preparation started with<br />
chatting to the crews and listening to<br />
their stories. As final preparations<br />
were being put in place, there was a<br />
palpable atmosphere of excitement<br />
on the docks – tinged in some<br />
cases with a little anxiety. 3,000nm<br />
is no small distance and beyond<br />
the emotional challenge of sailing<br />
offshore, carrying enough provisions<br />
and spares is essential – whilst not<br />
compromising performance due to<br />
too much weight.<br />
This race attracts an incredibly<br />
diverse mix of boats, from 11m<br />
Above: Boats lined up at <strong>Marina</strong><br />
Lanzarote ready for the RORC<br />
Transatlantic Race. Centre right: The<br />
crew of Ocean Breeze. Right: Zoulou<br />
ready for action.<br />
(36ft) monohulls to<br />
sleek maxis and<br />
record-breaking<br />
MOD 70 trimarans,<br />
all competing in<br />
their respective<br />
classes. Crew<br />
sizes differ from<br />
just two members<br />
to over 20 sailors<br />
on board, and the level of experience<br />
varies from seasoned professional<br />
offshore racers to a fair few undertaking<br />
their very first transatlantic crossing.<br />
James Mitchell Robert Hajduk<br />
James Mitchell<br />
42 www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
MARINA EVENTS<br />
With two significant and unusually<br />
south-spreading depressions, the<br />
forecast for the crossing was another<br />
reminder that every eventuality needs<br />
to be carefully considered.<br />
Gathering support<br />
For marinas, hosting an offshore<br />
race event start can be a major coup,<br />
attracting international acclaim and<br />
positioning the facility in yachting<br />
circles and beyond. That said, it can<br />
require substantial financial, logistical<br />
and human resources, which involves<br />
investing time in setting up reliable and<br />
mutually beneficial collaborations with<br />
local or regional authorities and private<br />
sector sponsors.<br />
Preferences for organisers tend to<br />
be to berth boats as close as possible,<br />
which can be logistically challenging.<br />
And few marinas are able to host<br />
performance yachts drawing up to 5m<br />
(16ft 5in) or even 7m (23ft). Relevant<br />
Maggie Adamson and Gavin Howe on Sun Fast 3600 Tigris (above)<br />
and MOD 70s at <strong>Marina</strong> Lanzarote (below). Photos: Robert Hajduk<br />
languages are required, and crews<br />
need nearby facilities such as hotels,<br />
restaurants and marine services.<br />
Some teams are fairly autonomous,<br />
while others may request help with<br />
matters such<br />
as tracking<br />
packages,<br />
sourcing<br />
parts, storage<br />
or customs<br />
procedures.<br />
Expert<br />
on-the-water<br />
support is also<br />
essential, with<br />
local knowledge<br />
handy for<br />
organising<br />
the start line,<br />
helping to<br />
maximise<br />
visibility, and<br />
supplying RIBs for escorting media<br />
crew or marshalling the marks to<br />
avoid collisions with spectators. The<br />
host destination will often be asked<br />
to provide a hospitality programme,<br />
for which venues, catering and<br />
permissions will all need to be acquired.<br />
Social events provide the means to<br />
build inter-team camaraderie and for<br />
the host to create a positive impression<br />
on the fleet and race organisers,<br />
showcasing their cultural and<br />
gastronomic heritage.<br />
Engaging with others<br />
Optimum media coverage is highly<br />
desirable in both the preferential<br />
language(s) used by the organiser,<br />
and the host’s native language. The<br />
event can provide opportunities to<br />
enhance a reputation by promoting the<br />
destination to an attractive international<br />
audience; perhaps also celebrating<br />
local nautical heritage or procuring<br />
emblematic photos of landscape from<br />
the sea. Special interest groups can be<br />
invited to visit the yachts, such as local<br />
sailing youth or maritime students etc,<br />
or schools can get involved in science<br />
projects being carried out by specific<br />
boats, boosting the connection with the<br />
host destination.<br />
The values of offshore racing are<br />
also relevant and should be celebrated<br />
as part of the event, such as fair<br />
competition, nautical proficiency,<br />
teamwork, adventure, resilience and<br />
tradition. As an events host, we share<br />
a key role in nourishing a passion<br />
for the sea and for commending<br />
nautical excellence; supporting the<br />
wider boating community and helping<br />
establish new standards in racing and<br />
sailing craft.<br />
www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
43
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FUEL TECHNOLOGY<br />
NatPower H’s dramatic refuelling station.<br />
CGI: Tecma Solutions<br />
Going green<br />
with hydrogen<br />
Italian entity NatPower H and British company Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)<br />
have announced the world’s first network for green hydrogen refuelling of<br />
recreational boats. The first 25 installations will be made in Italian marinas and<br />
ports as part of a goal to reach 100 in the Mediterranean before expanding<br />
globally. Donatella Zucca reports<br />
NatPower H, part of the NatPower<br />
Group, is investing €100 million in<br />
the project, which should see the first<br />
installations this summer and has a<br />
target to reach the 100 figure over the<br />
next six years.<br />
Founded in 2019 by current CEO<br />
Fabrizio Zago, NatPower boasts a<br />
wealth of renewable projects, all of<br />
which have helped in the establishment<br />
of NatPower H as the first global<br />
player for production, storage and<br />
distribution of green hydrogen. The<br />
company believes that the use of<br />
hydrogen to carry energy through fuel<br />
cells and electric motors promises<br />
an excellent combination of winning<br />
vessel performance and respect for the<br />
environment.<br />
When established, the 100 stations<br />
will supply up to 3,650 tonnes of green<br />
hydrogen every year thus eliminating<br />
around 45,000 tonnes of greenhouse<br />
gas emissions from vessels. The<br />
hydrogen is obtained using RINA<br />
Pressure Equipment Directive (PED)<br />
certified low pressure metal hydride<br />
technologies. RINA, formerly the Italian<br />
Naval Register, is today a businessto-society<br />
company supporting<br />
sustainable growth.<br />
The RINA connection adds to the<br />
Italian involvement with the project,<br />
as does the strategic positioning<br />
of NatPower H with the Baglietto<br />
shipyards in La Spezia, which – via<br />
the Bzero project – are debating the<br />
production of storable hydrogen in<br />
solid form. No less important is the<br />
partnership with the America’s Cup<br />
through Bluegame, a Sanlorenzo Group<br />
shipyard of which NatPower H is the<br />
official technical sponsor.<br />
The protocol for the 37 th America’s<br />
Cup, to be held later this year in<br />
Barcelona, requires each team<br />
of challengers to build and use a<br />
hydrogen-powered foil chase boat.<br />
As its part of the project, NatPower H<br />
aims to do two things: create a network<br />
of sustainable energy hubs in major<br />
marinas, and establish ideal conditions<br />
to facilitate the development and use of<br />
hydrogen-powered boats.<br />
NatPower H’s decision to collaborate<br />
with ZHA for the refuelling station<br />
architecture is based on the latter’s<br />
research into modular systems offering<br />
adaptable and customisable designs<br />
according to location. Infrastructure<br />
is designed to respond to specific<br />
requirements in terms of size, climatic<br />
characteristics, exposure, reception,<br />
bicycle charging, pedestrian circulation<br />
etc.<br />
The components of each structure<br />
are created using robotic 3D material<br />
positioning, and are built using lowcarbon<br />
concrete. The masonry is<br />
dry-assembled and is completely<br />
recyclable. In appearance, the<br />
composition is layered to echo nature,<br />
with striated shapes similar to natural<br />
Mediterranean formations and marine<br />
ecosystems.<br />
The design was developed by ZHA’s<br />
Computation and Design Research<br />
Group, together with the Block<br />
Research Group and Incremental<br />
3D, and is based on studies of<br />
unreinforced masonry structures, 3D<br />
printed concrete and sustainable digital<br />
concrete constructions. Examples can<br />
be seen in the 3D printed concrete<br />
pedestrian Striatus Bridge presented at<br />
www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
45
FUEL TECHNOLOGY<br />
NatPower H stations use advanced<br />
circular building technologies reflecting<br />
commitment to an ecologically<br />
responsible future.<br />
the 2021 Venice Biennale and in Holcim<br />
Innovation Hub’s Phoenix Bridge<br />
in Lyon, France; the first 3D printed<br />
concrete masonry bridge, built with ten<br />
tonnes of recycled materials.<br />
Italian-born ZHA director, Filippo<br />
Innocenti, explains that “the structural<br />
strength of ZHA’s hydrogen refuelling<br />
stations is generated through geometry<br />
rather than increased use of materials.”<br />
“Integrating the latest innovations<br />
in construction techniques with<br />
the historic engineering developed<br />
throughout the Mediterranean by the<br />
Romans more than 2,000 years ago,<br />
the stations use advanced circular<br />
building technologies, reflecting<br />
NatPower H’s commitments to an<br />
ecologically responsible future.”<br />
Negotiations for the 25 stations are<br />
currently underway in marinas and<br />
ports such as Trieste, Genoa and La<br />
Spezia and, bureaucracy permitting,<br />
should soon get the green light – but<br />
the launch station will be in Venice.<br />
Selecting Italy first is not a patriotic<br />
coincidence but a response to the<br />
great turmoil regarding hydrogen fuel<br />
for recreational boats that has been<br />
apparent around the country for some<br />
time. There is thus much focus in the<br />
country for the potential for hydrogen,<br />
and progress too.<br />
The Sanlorenzo Group, for example,<br />
in addition to having seen the hydrogen<br />
boats from Bluegame put into play,<br />
will launch the first 50m (164ft) steel<br />
superyacht this year with fuel cells<br />
powered by hydrogen obtained from<br />
green methanol for the generation of<br />
onboard electricity. And, in four years<br />
time, the first 50m steel superyacht<br />
powered solely by green methanol<br />
is expected to be launched as the<br />
second step in an R&D project aimed at<br />
achieving carbon neutrality.<br />
NatPower H CEO, Andrea Minerdo,<br />
says: “Our goal is to facilitate the<br />
energy transition of this crucial market,<br />
promoting the use of boats powered<br />
by hydrogen and without direct CO2<br />
emissions.” The mission is credible if<br />
one considers that in just a few years<br />
NatPower has become one of the most<br />
prominent independent developers and<br />
is actively operating in Italy, the UK,<br />
Kazakhstan, the USA, Canada, Tunisia<br />
and Chile.<br />
In addition to Baglietto Yachts and<br />
Bluegame, the NatPower H and ZHA<br />
project has collaborated with, amongst<br />
others, Linde, Fichtner Italia and<br />
Bluenergy Revolution Soc Coop, a<br />
100% Italian company based in Genoa<br />
that promotes innovative solutions<br />
for energy transition based on green<br />
hydrogen, low impact technologies and<br />
systems that use recyclable materials.<br />
The challenge of the Mediterranean<br />
is very important as the diverse depths<br />
of its waters are surrounded by unique<br />
cultural, historic and natural heritage.<br />
For this reason, stations are being<br />
designed so as to be adapted and<br />
strategically placed in<br />
locations with different<br />
peculiarities. Using local<br />
materials, such as sand<br />
and soil, together with low<br />
carbon impact concrete<br />
reduces ecological footprint<br />
and creates organic forms<br />
that integrate well with the<br />
environment and celebrate<br />
its characteristics and<br />
beauty.<br />
Furthermore, by being<br />
unreinforced and dryassembled,<br />
the station<br />
walls do not require<br />
carpentry and are easily<br />
and entirely recyclable.<br />
It’s an innovation that<br />
optimises the efficiency<br />
of materials and sets a<br />
new standard for waste<br />
reduction.<br />
46 www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
BOAT SHARING<br />
Nautical Boat<br />
Club heads to<br />
Kemah<br />
US-based Nautical Boat Club,<br />
marketed as “the first and only<br />
boating country club”, plans to open<br />
a new location at Kemah Boardwalk<br />
<strong>Marina</strong> in Kemah, Texas this spring.<br />
The move will give club members<br />
unparalleled access to the amazing<br />
boating opportunities on Galveston<br />
Bay and Clear Lake.<br />
“We are thrilled to be welcoming<br />
Nautical Boat Club as our newest<br />
commercial operator at the Kemah<br />
Boardwalk <strong>Marina</strong>,” says marina general<br />
manager Brad Grace. “Their commitment<br />
to an exceptional guest experience,<br />
superior boating model and impeccably<br />
high standards for membership services<br />
makes them an ideal addition to our<br />
boating community here in Kemah. We<br />
are confident that the Nautical Boat<br />
Club will strive to provide its members<br />
with remarkable experiences and create<br />
fantastic memories on the water.”<br />
Club members will be able to go<br />
boating and fishing in local waters and<br />
then return to Kemah to enjoy its first<br />
class restaurants, shops and family<br />
attractions.<br />
Nautical Boat Club has been<br />
established for over 25 years and has<br />
multiple locations in Florida, Georgia,<br />
South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and<br />
Wisconsin. Its boat fleet is constantly<br />
expanded and kept up-to-date, and<br />
members enjoy unlimited use of all boats<br />
for over 300 days of the year.<br />
Member privileges include<br />
complimentary use of premium<br />
watersports equipment – skis, surf<br />
boards, wakeboards, tubes and more –<br />
and full benefits at all clubs nationwide.<br />
Service is premium “white glove” and<br />
concierge-style.<br />
Kemah Boardwalk <strong>Marina</strong> has 400<br />
slips and is one of the best marinas on<br />
the Texas Gulf Coast. It offers excellent<br />
hospitality services and amenities, new<br />
and pre-owned yacht sales, boat rentals,<br />
catamaran charters and lessons, luxury<br />
wine and cheese electric boat charters<br />
and multiple boardwalk attractions.<br />
Agapi and Axopar<br />
launch AxA<br />
Axopar, a rapidly growing brand renowned for multi-functional boats, and<br />
Agapi Boat Club have unveiled a joint membership club. The new venture<br />
also introduces Global PayGo membership exclusively for owners of<br />
Axopar boats.<br />
Established in 2017, Agapi Boat<br />
Club has pioneered premium<br />
membership boating, and its<br />
strategic partnership with Axopar<br />
is set to attract a new generation of<br />
boaters looking for circular economybased<br />
models, sustainability and<br />
alternatives to traditional boat<br />
ownership.<br />
A key element of the new venture<br />
involves new club locations that<br />
enable members to enjoy boating on<br />
a global scale. And to facilitate rapid<br />
growth and expansion in <strong>2024</strong>/25,<br />
backed by Axopar, financing is being<br />
sought to secure further investment<br />
in the fleet and additional strategic<br />
partners.<br />
New locations<br />
The Axopar x Agapi Club (AxA) offers<br />
worldwide membership with new<br />
club openings in Spain (Menorca<br />
and Empuriabrava), France (Corsica<br />
and Bay of Saint-Tropez), Italy (La<br />
Spezia), Netherlands (Amsterdam),<br />
Channel Islands (Jersey), Chile<br />
(Patagonia) and Mexico (Cancún) in<br />
<strong>2024</strong> to complement existing Agapi<br />
Boat Clubs in Nordic countries, the<br />
UK and the Mediterranean.<br />
For spring <strong>2024</strong>, this results in<br />
an extensive network spanning<br />
25 harbours across more than ten<br />
countries. Collaboration between<br />
Axopar Boats, Agapi Boat Club and<br />
Axopar’s dealer network ensures<br />
seamless integration, utilising<br />
established businesses and skilled<br />
staff. More locations are to follow.<br />
Peder Asplund, founding partner<br />
and CEO of Agapi Boat Club, is<br />
happy to open the doors to the first<br />
new joint clubs with Axopar. “The<br />
onboarding of all these new partners<br />
has already begun and, apart from<br />
adding a lot of exciting locations<br />
to the great benefit of our growing<br />
member base, we are also adding<br />
the knowledge and experience from<br />
these new partners with a strong<br />
local presence that share our mission<br />
on how to bring boating to a new<br />
dimension,” he says.<br />
Axopar founding partner Jan-Erik<br />
Viitala adds: “Our new club concept<br />
aligns perfectly with our dedication<br />
48 www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
BOAT SHARING<br />
to bring more people out on the water,<br />
encouraging shared usage of boats<br />
and a perfect way for our Axopar<br />
dealers to expand their business into<br />
urban mobility and subscription based<br />
services.”<br />
Boating made easy<br />
Being a member of AxA is a<br />
comfortable and carefree way of going<br />
boating. The clubs handle everything<br />
for their members by keeping the boats<br />
ready to go and providing concierge<br />
services upon request. Flexible booking<br />
routines, access to a variety of premium<br />
boats in different sizes and access to a<br />
global network of attractive destinations<br />
are some examples of the premium fullservice<br />
concept. Depending on the boat<br />
category selected, customers enjoy<br />
access to models ranging from 22 to<br />
45ft (6.7 to 13.7m).<br />
Becoming a member is easy.<br />
Customers simply select the<br />
membership that aligns with their<br />
boating experience, needs, preferences<br />
of boats and lifestyle. AxA offers a<br />
personalised experience, guiding<br />
customers through the entire process<br />
and, as their experience grows,<br />
members have the opportunity to<br />
upgrade to bigger boat categories at<br />
any time if so desired.<br />
Plans range from €3,500 to €45,000<br />
per year, depending on boat category<br />
and usage.<br />
Global PayGo<br />
As of January this year, Axopar boat<br />
owners around the world have been<br />
able to join Global PayGo. Membership<br />
enables them to travel and use a boat<br />
that is already very familiar to them in<br />
some of the most exotic locations in the<br />
world.<br />
Members gain access to boats of the<br />
same size range as their own boat in<br />
all AxA and Agapi Boat Club locations.<br />
At all club locations, a member will<br />
be welcomed and, prior to going out<br />
boating, will be guided through the boat<br />
of choice and will receive information<br />
on local rules and legislation. The<br />
staff will also recommend attractive<br />
destinations to visit, local hidden<br />
gems, harbours and restaurants. An<br />
increasing number of locations offer<br />
hospitality services, allowing food,<br />
snacks and drinks, for example, to<br />
be pre-ordered directly to the boat or<br />
overnight accommodation, moorings<br />
and restaurant reservations in local hot<br />
spots to be booked in advance.<br />
Global PayGo is based on a pay-asyou-go<br />
model and sales are conducted<br />
by Axopar dealers worldwide. The<br />
annual fee is €3,500 and includes<br />
e-learning and online onboarding and<br />
20,000 cash-points to be used in any<br />
Agapi Boat Club locations. 20,000<br />
cash-points are equivalent to three day<br />
trips with an Axopar 22 or one trip with<br />
an Axopar 37. The actual cost in cashpoints<br />
depends on boat model, season<br />
and region. Once the cash-points are<br />
consumed, more points and services<br />
can easily be purchased directly in the<br />
Agapi app when booking a new trip.<br />
Before boating for the first time,<br />
members will undergo comprehensive<br />
e-learning and receive on-line and<br />
on-site onboarding by an Agapi<br />
certified instructor. The e-learning and<br />
onboarding will be packed full of useful<br />
knowledge, something even seasoned<br />
captains will appreciate.<br />
Represented in over 40 countries<br />
www.flovac.es<br />
Taking the<br />
Green approach<br />
to the Blackwater<br />
problem<br />
Vacuum sewerage systems are ideal for use in marinas<br />
and ports of any size.<br />
The Flovac system can capture sewage and bilge water<br />
from boats and all facilities around the marina complex.<br />
No electrical power required at dockside<br />
Validates MARPOL certification<br />
No risk of water contamination<br />
Suitable for boats and docks of any size<br />
Discreet, small diameter pipework<br />
Ease of installation<br />
No odour<br />
www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
49
PRODUCTS & SERVICES<br />
Double sanitation<br />
system in Sitges<br />
Flovac has installed a double sanitation system in Port<br />
d’Aiguadolç in Sitges, Spain, a 742-berth marina on<br />
the Mediterranean that is about a 30 minute drive from<br />
Barcelona.<br />
The dual system<br />
collects wastewater (aside<br />
from rainwater) via two<br />
independent stations dividing<br />
wastewater from the marina<br />
and the fishing village. This<br />
makes sampling easier before<br />
water is released to the public<br />
sewer. Hydrocarbon and bilge<br />
water in the nautical system is<br />
collected and concentrated at<br />
a point close to its origin so as<br />
to carry out separation of the<br />
polluting load.<br />
In order to serve the<br />
seaside town, the double<br />
network has around 1,800m<br />
(5,900ft) of main line piping.<br />
The town has around 170<br />
apartments, a 50-room hotel<br />
and about 17 restaurants.<br />
The vacuum network, as<br />
always, is designed above the<br />
existing water table and will be<br />
completely sealed.<br />
By investing in the system,<br />
the concession holders Port<br />
d’Aiguadolç-Sitges SA, which<br />
has operated the marina<br />
since 1972, has reaffirmed its<br />
commitment to protecting and<br />
respecting the environment<br />
in a protected area that is<br />
particularly popular for sailing<br />
regattas and canoeing.<br />
www.flovac.es<br />
Flovac piping installation in Port d’Aiguadolç, Spain.<br />
SEE YOU AT MARINAS24<br />
Booth 13<br />
50 www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
PRODUCTS & SERVICES<br />
Swedish Riviera marina<br />
rebuilds and reconfigures<br />
Skänors Hamn, a marina just south of Malmö in Sweden, has been rebuilt and<br />
reconfigured by SF <strong>Marina</strong>. The owners sought to increase mooring capacity<br />
and create infrastructure that was better sheltered from rolling seas generated<br />
by the occasional 21m/s northerly breeze.<br />
Prior to the reconstruction, Skanörs<br />
Hamn had two main piers with<br />
Mediterranean-style mooring and space<br />
for additional boats along the harbour<br />
basin wall. The docking process was<br />
overly burdensome to boat owners,<br />
Rebuilding Snook Bight<br />
Snook Bight <strong>Marina</strong>, a full-service Suntex facility on Estero Bay southeast<br />
of Fort Myers Beach, Florida has been rebuilt following extensive damage<br />
caused by Hurricane Ian in 2022.<br />
The storm, which claimed the lives<br />
of over 150 people and caused over<br />
US$112 billion in damage, completely<br />
tore away all the marina’s wet slips, its<br />
fuel docks and piles. Making matters<br />
worse, the 15ft (4.6m) surge left 8ft<br />
(2.4m) of water in the marina office,<br />
store and drystack barn, where it also<br />
destroyed the company’s forklifts.<br />
Suntex put the reconstruction<br />
out to tender and selected Golden<br />
Marine Systems, with Panama City,<br />
Florida-based RJ Gorman Marine<br />
Construction as the contractor.<br />
The new system utilises Golden<br />
850 Series premium marine-grade<br />
6061-T6 aluminium docks with<br />
integrated E-Tracks that allow the 12in<br />
(30.5cm) cleats to slide fore and aft to<br />
accommodate individual vessels. The<br />
marina is designed with a 240ft (73m)<br />
especially those with outboard engines<br />
who found it challenging to safely board<br />
and disembark their vessels.<br />
The configuration comprises four<br />
main jetties. One – at 50m (164ft) long x<br />
3.25m (11ft) wide – is constructed using<br />
centre walkway with two 8ft (2.4m) wide<br />
x 725ft (221m) long cross sections,<br />
each with 11 4ft (1.2m) wide finger<br />
SF1230 floating concrete pontoons.<br />
The remaining three have been built<br />
using series SF1030 pontoons and<br />
measure 50m (164ft), 52m (171ft) and<br />
55m (180ft) long x 3.25m (11ft) wide.<br />
The pontoons were installed by SF<br />
Pontona Sweden who added finger<br />
docks and Y-boom fingers with floats to<br />
accommodate approximately 120 boats.<br />
The pontoons are secured using 200mm<br />
(8in) and 400mm (16in) piles.<br />
SF <strong>Marina</strong> floating steel-reinforced<br />
concrete pontoons are claimed to<br />
be virtually unsinkable and have a<br />
low centre of gravity, making them<br />
extremely stable. A unique connection<br />
system allows the individual pontoons<br />
to dilute loads generated by wave<br />
action or bumps from heavy vessels.<br />
The pontoons include integrated utility<br />
ducts for power and water.<br />
In addition to the main dock array, SF<br />
Pontona Sweden also delivered and<br />
installed a dinghy dock on the quay<br />
adjacent to the launch ramp. It further<br />
removed the chain and concrete block<br />
anchoring of a smaller dock it had<br />
added several years ago and replaced<br />
it with piles.<br />
Skanör is known for its sandy<br />
beaches and rows of colourful cottages<br />
and is often referred to as the Swedish<br />
Riviera.<br />
www.sfmarina.com<br />
piers. All are finished with fade and slip<br />
resistant Endeck composite decking.<br />
The end result provides 70 interior and<br />
linear slips.<br />
Snook Bight also has a 160-boat<br />
drystack operation, rentals, sales<br />
and service, a Suntex Boat Club and<br />
award-winning restaurants.<br />
www.goldenmarinesystems.com<br />
www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
51
PRODUCTS & SERVICES<br />
Smart approach to billing<br />
Ensuring that customers are charged for every unit of electricity and water they use, is time-consuming and vulnerable<br />
to inaccuracy if costs are calculated manually. Smart utilities monitoring technology from UK-based Smarter<br />
Technologies Group provides a simple, cost-effective and easy safeguard that not only ensures accurate billing but<br />
provides detailed consumption reports.<br />
With sharply increasing energy tariffs, marinas<br />
and yacht clubs can incur huge losses across<br />
their utility network and large infrastructure costs<br />
may be needed to put this right. Constant on-site<br />
activity, multiple users and systems adds to the<br />
challenge around energy and water management.<br />
Potential financial losses can be avoided with<br />
real-time data monitoring via SmarterView, either<br />
as a user-friendly dashboard that is remotely<br />
accessible or via an API into the marina’s<br />
management system. Users have an online app<br />
allowing instant access to data and payment<br />
gateways.<br />
SmarterView has no upfront cost options and<br />
can be retrofitted to existing pedestals or supplied<br />
built-in to new units. It is a complete management<br />
system delivering real-time data and remote on/<br />
off supply switching. Smarter Technologies uses<br />
proprietary technology and Orion IoT network<br />
infrastructure.<br />
www.smartertechnologies.com<br />
+61 7 5594 8200<br />
info@superiorjetties.com<br />
www.superiorjetties.com<br />
Sanctuary Cove <strong>Marina</strong><br />
<strong>World</strong> Class <strong>Marina</strong>s | Custom design to suit requirements<br />
52 www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
Making marinas – truly – smarter<br />
Smart <strong>Marina</strong> by Konnected Technology has unveiled groundbreaking Smart <strong>Marina</strong> Technology & Dashboard<br />
distributed by US-based Premier Materials.<br />
Unlike other players in the field<br />
who focus on front office connectivity,<br />
Smart <strong>Marina</strong> by Konnected innovation<br />
extends the conventional boundaries<br />
by focusing on the physical (smart<br />
dock) to technical infrastructure (smart<br />
Wi-Fi) of marinas, ushering in a new<br />
era of efficiency, safety and seamless<br />
management.<br />
While the norm is to offer softwarebased<br />
systems focused on boater<br />
management and revenue collection,<br />
the Konnected system stands out<br />
for its unwavering commitment to<br />
the actual marina infrastructure. The<br />
technology utilises Internet of Things<br />
(IoT) devices to collect real-time data<br />
from physical components within the<br />
marina and feeds it into a sophisticated<br />
software system that leverages<br />
Artificial Intelligence (AI) for in-depth<br />
analysis and proactive decisionmaking.<br />
Key features include:<br />
• Monitoring and analysing incoming<br />
internet speed, ensuring uniform<br />
distribution of Wi-Fi throughout<br />
the marina for a seamless boater<br />
experience.<br />
• Providing secure gate control with<br />
advanced access management<br />
features.<br />
• Utilising IoT devices to identify<br />
potential hot spots in the marina,<br />
preventing fires before they occur.<br />
• Offering real-time monitoring of load<br />
capacities, with instant alerts for<br />
attention and adjustments.<br />
• Ensuring optimal anchoring<br />
conditions with alerts for adjustments,<br />
enhancing safety and stability.<br />
• Managing boaters in their slips with<br />
alerts for boat departure, permission<br />
controls for Wi-Fi and gate access,<br />
and scheduling boat repair and<br />
maintenance appointments.<br />
MDL boosts tech plan<br />
Following a successful pilot<br />
programme for smart marina<br />
technology at its Queen Anne’s<br />
Battery marina in Plymouth,<br />
UK, MDL <strong>Marina</strong>s is rolling the<br />
technology out to Hamble Point<br />
<strong>Marina</strong> (right) on the English<br />
south coast.<br />
MDL has partnered with<br />
digital firm Falco and its marina<br />
management software provider<br />
Havenstar with a view to adopting<br />
smart technology across its network<br />
of marinas.<br />
Connecting the marina office, staff<br />
and boaters digitally, the wireless<br />
technology works by detecting<br />
occupancy in real time with the<br />
use of motion sensors installed at<br />
each berth. This provides instant<br />
data on boat movements, providing<br />
more accurate numbers in terms of<br />
spaces available for visiting yachts<br />
at any given time.<br />
“After trialling the project at Queen<br />
Anne’s Battery, we found the real<br />
time data on the number of available<br />
berths, without having to physically<br />
check, enabled marina staff to spend<br />
more time on the pontoons meeting<br />
and greeting customers, improving the<br />
quality of the marina experience for<br />
PRODUCTS & SERVICES<br />
• Delivering real-time weather alerts<br />
to boaters, enhancing safety and<br />
preparedness.<br />
• Integrating existing marina systems<br />
into a single, user-friendly dashboard<br />
for streamlined management and<br />
operational efficiency.<br />
Premier Materials president, Lisa<br />
Marquis, is excited about the launch.<br />
“Our Smart <strong>Marina</strong> technology<br />
represents a paradigm shift in how<br />
marinas are managed,” she said. “We<br />
are not just offering software; we are<br />
transforming the very infrastructure<br />
that forms the backbone of marina<br />
operations. From safety and security<br />
to seamless boater experiences,<br />
our technology is set to redefine the<br />
industry. We want owners and builders<br />
to expand what they think about the<br />
definition of Smart <strong>Marina</strong>s beyond<br />
office software solutions.”<br />
www.premiermaterials.com<br />
berth holders and customers alike,” said<br />
MDL sales and marketing director Tim<br />
Mayer.<br />
MDL will install a total of 84 sensors<br />
around the marina at Hamble Point and<br />
14 sensors on its events pontoon.<br />
www.wefalco.com www.havenstar.com<br />
www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
53
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If you are looking to offer electric boat supercharging to future-proof<br />
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enquiries@aqua-superpower.com<br />
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PRODUCTS & SERVICES<br />
A gateway to Fiji and its surrounding<br />
islands, Port Denarau is a haven for<br />
a wide range of vessels including<br />
superyachts. The marina is a multi<br />
award winner and continues to add<br />
accolades year on year.<br />
Software support<br />
keeps Pacific “jewel”<br />
on track<br />
Out of all the jewels of the Pacific marina scene, Port Denarau sparkles<br />
particularly brightly, bursting at the seams with superyachts and commercial<br />
ferry operations, and juggling waiting lists for its berths.<br />
Part of its ongoing success is down to<br />
a Pacsoft marina management software<br />
package that assists the multi-awardwinning<br />
Fiji marina in managing an<br />
impressive 100% berth occupancy, and<br />
planning for expansion in <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
<strong>Marina</strong> chief executive, Cynthia<br />
Rasch, says PacsoftNG has been<br />
essential to its success, helping her<br />
team manage bookings, invoicing and<br />
other key areas of Port Denarau’s<br />
operation since the software was<br />
introduced in 2008. “It’s so convenient<br />
and easy to use - we couldn’t live<br />
without any of it,” she notes.<br />
Rasch admits they are “on a high<br />
at the moment”, with the marina<br />
welcoming up to 60 superyachts and<br />
approximately 400 smaller yachts last<br />
season. “Over the past decade we have<br />
grown exponentially in terms of super<br />
yachting and yachting. We are now<br />
well recognised regionally and globally<br />
as an international marina. Right now<br />
[December] I should be expecting<br />
an empty marina, but I’m not. I’m still<br />
transiting 40,000 to 50,000 passengers<br />
in a month for our commercial<br />
operations, which is a fairly high<br />
number considering this is supposed to<br />
be off-peak season.”<br />
Around a dozen of the marina’s team<br />
of 30 staff use PacsoftNG to keep<br />
the bustling marina humming and its<br />
customers satisfied, with the smart<br />
software’s Visual <strong>Marina</strong> tool providing<br />
instant awareness of the position of<br />
every boat in the marina.<br />
“Everybody loves PacsoftNG; it’s<br />
visual, it’s easy to use and I love the<br />
colours because I can easily spot<br />
arrivals and departures for the day,<br />
where double bookings are and things<br />
like that. The Visual <strong>Marina</strong> is fantastic<br />
because it’s very easy for anybody to<br />
use no matter how computer savvy they<br />
are. For example, the security team<br />
that monitors and keeps track of the<br />
boats can see everything they need<br />
to know at a glance.”<br />
New team members sometimes<br />
only have basic computer skills, so<br />
having user-friendly software makes<br />
it easy to bring them up to speed<br />
and saves a lot of time. “We have<br />
recruited a few new staff who will<br />
go through training. The training is<br />
quick and easy to use, with a training<br />
database for the team to test run with<br />
their learning before they go live.”<br />
Port Denarau is on Fiji’s main<br />
island, Viti Levu, and as its flagship<br />
marina it acts as not just a gateway<br />
to Fiji, but also to the bounty of<br />
idyllic islands sprinkled around it,<br />
including Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, New<br />
Caledonia and the Solomon Islands, as<br />
well as the more distant destinations of<br />
Australia and New Zealand.<br />
The world-class marina aims to be<br />
a one-stop shop for visiting boaters<br />
and is offers 144 berths, 20 of which<br />
can accommodate superyachts up to<br />
85m (279ft) in length. It also boasts<br />
Fiji’s most comprehensive suite of<br />
marine services, including a haul-out<br />
facility, 30-tonne boat hoist, short- and<br />
long-term boat storage, drystack and<br />
a wealth of other marine maintenance<br />
facilities. The marina also owns a<br />
complex of 70 land tenancies.<br />
Swimming in accolades, Port<br />
Denarau was inducted into the<br />
prestigious <strong>Marina</strong> Industries<br />
Association (MIA) Hall of Fame in<br />
2019 after hauling in the International<br />
<strong>Marina</strong> of the Year of Award for two<br />
years running. It recently received<br />
a Recognition Award at Fiji’s Prime<br />
Minister’s International Business<br />
Awards after previously receiving a Fiji<br />
Excellence in Tourism Award from ANZ<br />
in 2018 and 2023. Port Denarau is also<br />
an accredited MIA Superyacht Ready<br />
Gold Anchor marina.<br />
With its dedication to protecting the<br />
marine environment around it, the<br />
marina is also accredited by the MIA<br />
with “Clean <strong>Marina</strong> – Level 3” and “Fish<br />
Friendly <strong>Marina</strong>” status.<br />
Established in 1999, Port Denarau<br />
has become so successful that in<br />
August 2019 it was locally listed on the<br />
www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
55
Design, Manufacture and Installation of Floating Pontoons, <strong>Marina</strong>s and Fishing Ports.<br />
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PRODUCTS & SERVICES<br />
South Pacific Stock Exchange, and with<br />
the post-Covid sailing boom in full effect<br />
– and waiting lists to satisfy – there are<br />
plans to expand its capacity.<br />
Rasch says Port Denarau deserves<br />
to be described as the “cream of the<br />
crop” of Pacific marinas, nestled in<br />
one of the world’s ultimate holiday<br />
destinations. Fiji is the perfect Pacific<br />
paradise where people can unplug from<br />
the fast pace of modern life and enjoy<br />
rich culture, stunning biodiversity and<br />
the welcome of friendly locals in a safe<br />
environment, she believes.<br />
“For those who want to be able to<br />
explore the untouched beauty of the<br />
islands it’s all there for them: whatever<br />
your heart desires – under the water,<br />
on the water, or over lush land – we’ve<br />
got it all.”<br />
www.pacsoftmms.com<br />
The choice of professionals<br />
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The Original<br />
www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
57
PRODUCTS & SERVICES<br />
Index to Advertisers<br />
ASAR, USA 16<br />
Applied Technology &<br />
Management, USA 20<br />
Aqua superPower, UK 54<br />
Bellingham Marine, USA 7 & 59<br />
Bluet, Finland 50<br />
Bluewater Marine & Dock, USA 56<br />
Bluewater Marine Systems, USA 54<br />
Boat Lift, Italy 44<br />
CBRE, USA 32<br />
Capria, Argentina 26<br />
Conolift by Kropf Industrial,<br />
Canada 34<br />
D-Marin, Greece 29<br />
Eagle Floats by<br />
Hendren Plastics, USA 47<br />
Flovac, Spain 49<br />
Gigieffe, Italy 32<br />
Golden Manufacturing,<br />
USA 12 & 13<br />
Ingemar, Italy 10<br />
Inmare, Italy 52<br />
Lindley, Portugal 16<br />
Livart, China 26<br />
Marex, Croatia 26<br />
<strong>Marina</strong> Master by IRM,<br />
Slovenia 50<br />
<strong>Marina</strong> Projects, UK 60<br />
MARINAGo by<br />
Scribble Software, USA 41<br />
<strong>Marina</strong>s24, Australia 20<br />
Marinetek, Finland 4<br />
Martini <strong>Marina</strong>s, Italy 37<br />
METSTRADE, Netherlands 24<br />
Molo, USA 22<br />
Pacsoft, New Zealand 34<br />
PierPump by Vogelsang,<br />
Germany 8<br />
Plus Marine, Italy 22<br />
Poralu Marine, France 18<br />
Rolec, UK 14<br />
Ronautica, Spain 56<br />
Roodberg - a brand of Frisian<br />
Industries, Netherlands 57<br />
SF <strong>Marina</strong> System, Sweden 2<br />
Seaflex, Sweden 6<br />
Seijsener, Netherlands 36<br />
Simply <strong>Marina</strong>s, USA 34<br />
Smarter Technologies, UK 56<br />
Superior Group, Australia 52<br />
Twinwood by CJ Plast, Portugal 44<br />
Walcon Marine, UK 28<br />
WISE Handling, UK 54<br />
Inspiration for the<br />
waterfront<br />
Floating structures can add<br />
innovative opportunities for<br />
waterfront developers enabling<br />
facilities to be expanded without<br />
losing valuable space on land.<br />
Projects developed by Finnish<br />
company Bluet, such as a floating<br />
padel court at Keilaniemi <strong>Marina</strong>,<br />
Espoo (right), are part of a one-stopshop<br />
service approach.<br />
Bluet floating solutions vary by size<br />
and purpose and include pools, spas,<br />
food and beverage spaces, yacht<br />
club facilities and amenity areas,<br />
e.g. showers and changing rooms,<br />
and the company believes they will<br />
form an increasing element in marina<br />
development. <strong>Marina</strong> locations are<br />
especially well-suited to floating<br />
projects as they already have essential<br />
infrastructure and connections right at<br />
the shoreline.<br />
Each project is unique, dependent<br />
on location needs and baseline and,<br />
for this reason, Bluet creates scalable<br />
Protection from<br />
lightning strikes<br />
Safeguarding marina facilities, valuable<br />
yard equipment and all kinds of vessels –<br />
from day boats to superyachts – from the<br />
devastating impact of lightning strikes is now<br />
a straightforward process thanks to innovative<br />
CMCE lightning protection technology developed<br />
by Sertec Srl.<br />
Much is owed, of course, to the<br />
groundbreaking invention of Nikola<br />
Tesla in 1916, whose unique insight<br />
into electrical principles led to the<br />
development of a solution that, unlike<br />
the earlier Franklin rod, eliminated<br />
the accumulation of charge and thus<br />
prevented the conditions conducive to<br />
lightning strikes.<br />
Today’s CMCE solution is designed<br />
with a universal approach, it operates<br />
as a passive sensor system, providing<br />
permanent protection by balancing and<br />
and feasible solutions that fulfil specific<br />
needs – and implements all, from the<br />
initial idea for a profitable high-quality<br />
outcome.<br />
Working with a comprehensive global<br />
network of representatives, Bluet has<br />
implemented projects worldwide and,<br />
whether creating new structures or<br />
revitalising existing facilities, creates<br />
floating solutions that are cost-efficient,<br />
time-efficient and ecologically sound.<br />
www.bluet.fi<br />
deionising atmospheric phenomena<br />
using one or more compensators. By<br />
stabilising the existing electric field in<br />
its environment, the CMCE system<br />
effectively cancels the formation of<br />
ascending tracers, ensuring a neutral<br />
state of safety within the protected area.<br />
Solutions are specifically tailored for<br />
marina installations and generate longlasting<br />
performance in the harshest<br />
marine environments.<br />
www.technicalmarinesupplies.co.uk<br />
58 www.marinaworld.com – <strong>March</strong>/<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
SETTING THE WORLD<br />
STANDARD IN MARINA DESIGN<br />
CONCEPT DESIGN & MARINA MASTER PLANNING<br />
FEASIBILITY STUDIES & MARKET RESEARCH<br />
BUSINESS PLANNING<br />
MARINA & WATERFRONT DESIGN<br />
TENDER AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT<br />
MARINA OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT<br />
ENVIRONMENTAL & LEGISLATIVE ADVICE<br />
PROPERTY CONSULTANCY SERVICES<br />
GLOBAL WATERFRONT & MARINA DEVELOPMENT<br />
CONSULTANCY AT ITS BEST<br />
www.marinaprojects.com