2024 July/August Marina World

Marina 

www.marinaworld.com 

World 

July/August 2024 

Issue 144 

Essential reading for marina and waterfront developers, planners and operators

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W W W . S F M A R I N A . C O M



July/August 2024 Vol. 24, No. 6 

13 

31 

49 

CONTENTS 

World News 7 

Dry Storage 

Pioneering automation at Patterson Lakes, Melbourne 13 

ASAR: vintage drystack is now history 16 

Sheltering boats in North Bimini 19 

Advanced drystack at Bon Secour Marina, Alabama 21 

Forklift Exchange: perfecting a forklift portfolio 24 

Talking Shop 28 

Bruno Santori of Marina di Pescara talks about trends, 

sustainability and creating destinations 

Floating Solutions 

Building tomorrow’s floating structures in marinas 31 

Bluet solutions for challenging projects 32 

Events 

IBEX 2024: exploring the biggest issues 34 

Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous 2024 37 

Marinas24: big turnout for new venue 38 

Environmental Initiatives 40 

Rolec advises on electric boat charging; Aqua superPower 

spearheads vessel-to-grid system; TransEurope joins the 

LandSeaLot project; SEA Index rolls out to French marinas 

Buying & Selling Marinas 49 

Smart Technology 55 

Products & Services 59 

On the cover: Sunrise Harbor 

Marina in Fort Lauderdale, 

Florida – one of few marinas in 

the region able to accommodate 

200ft (61m) megayachts – is 

now under Bradford Marine 

management. Read the full story 

in Mooring Post June/July 

www.marinaworld.co.uk/mooringpost 

www.marinaworld.com – July/August 2024 

3



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Looking 

back 

We’ve had a particularly vibrant first half of 2024, with significant 

developments in established marina markets and some exciting 

announcements in emerging regions. 

Suntex topped the news in the USA by announcing a plan to spend a billion 

dollars on marina acquisitions – just weeks after its merger with Almar Marinas. IGY 

announced its intention to build a new marina in Savannah, Georgia; Nine Marina 

in Eufala, Oklahoma completed a significant upgrade; and Gulf Harbour Yacht and 

Country Club in Fort Myers, Florida finished a rebuild after devastation caused 

by Hurricane Ian. In this issue, we report on a newbuild landmark marina on the 

Delaware River in northeast Philadelphia (p.7) and the hotel and marina plans for 

Jacksonville Shipyards in Jacksonville, Florida (p.9). 

In Europe, ACI Marinas, the national marina chain in Croatia, celebrated 40 years, 

and in the UK, privately-owned MDL Marinas marked 50 years by committing to a £7 

million spend on its network. Premier Marinas, UK, bought Trafalgar Wharf, Europe’s 

largest covered drystack, and D-Marin partnered with Vlora Marina with a view to 

creating the first world-class marina in Albania. Bids opened for the development 

of Cagliari in Sardinia, and construction began on Livorno Marina, Italy, and a new 

large boat basin at Vilamoura Marina, Portugal. Redevelopment of Windermere 

Marina Village in England completed, but plans to redevelop Larnaca Marina in 

Cyprus were put on hold. A1 Trade Consortium won the bid to develop Argostoli 

Marina in Kefalonia, Greece (p.11). 

Neom dominated the news in Saudi Arabia – unveiling plans for Norlana, a 

120-berth hub for superyachts; Aquellum; and Jaumur (p.9). The Saudi Red Sea 

Authority, meanwhile, issued its first three licences to operators of tourist marinas. 

Elsewhere in the Middle East/Africa region, Saadiyat Marina & Ferry Terminal and 

Rabdan Marina were inaugurated in Abu Dhabi and the ambitious build of Bahrain 

Marina in Bahrain moved forward – ahead of schedule. The Abu Dhabi Development 

Holding Company signed a direct investment deal to build Ras Al-Hekma, a massive 

new city on Egypt’s northern coast, complete with a large marina. And a waterfront 

master plan was announced in Oman for a development in central Muscat. A marina 

will be the cornerstone of the project. 

Asia Pacific highlights include the Queensland Government’s call for bids for a 

marina on The Spit and further expansion at Mulpha Sanctuary Cove Marina (p.11). 

The North West Marina extension in Waikawa opened in New Zealand, and Hopper 

Developments put in an application last month for a potential marina at Hobbs Bay 

near Auckland. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority announced a marine 

tourism master plan in April that includes plans to develop small boat launch facilities 

and promote marina development. 

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Carol Fulford 

Editor 

News highlights source: Marina World and Mooring Post 


5

STRONG · SAFE · SUSTAINABLE 

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THE MOORING SYSTEM

WORLD NEWS 

Landmark marina plans 

on Delaware River 

USA: One River Development, a venture owned by Rodan Enterprises and its 

founders Dana and Ron Russikoff (former owners of the SureShade retractable 

sunshade product line for boats), are to develop a new marina on the Delaware 

River in northeast Philadelphia. 

One River Marina will be the 

City’s first new marina development 

project in decades and will include 

an entertainment complex within its 

six-acre (2.4-ha) waterfront site. Upon 

completion, the marina will have over 

200 wet slips, drystack storage, a 

swimming pool and various restaurant 

concepts, and will offer a home to the 

historic Quaker City Yacht Club. 

Situated just north of the Tacony- 

Palmyra Bridge, the marina has an 

enviably central location between 

existing waterfront destinations like 

Penn’s Landing to the south and Bristol 

Wharf to the north, making it a perfect 

stop-over point. It will also unlock a 

wave of local economic development. 

“This is a project years in the making 

and a solid new chapter in the ongoing 

activation and transformation of our 

beautiful Delaware River waterfront,” 

says Dana Russikoff. “Not only will One 

River Marina be an amenity the entire 

community can enjoy, but also a worldclass 

destination for boaters looking 

for new experiences outside the Jersey 

Shore and the Chesapeake.” 

One River Development is currently 

in the process of raising public funds 

and private capital for the project, 

which is located in a qualified federal 

opportunity zone (QOZ) making it an 

attractive asset class for investment. 

Development will be carried out in 

several phases, with the first comprising 

construction of a new bulwark, docks, 

slips, fuel dock and boat storage. 

Completion of this phase is expected 

by spring 2026 – just in time for 

Philadelphia’s celebration of America’s 

250 th anniversary. 

Investment boosts 

Ayla tourism offering 

JORDAN: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), 

International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Capital Bank of Jordan (CBoJ) 

are supporting sustainable tourism in Jordan by providing an US$81 million 

financing package for the development of Ayla Marina Village, which is part of 

the Ayla Oasis regeneration plan. 

The marina village attracts around 

one million visitors annually, with 

significant growth expected following 

the new investments. Currently, Ayla 

supports over 1,300 jobs, and the 

expansion is projected to create 

an additional 300 employment 

opportunities largely via the build of a 

76-room hotel. 

Sahl Dudin, managing director of 

Ayla Oasis Development Company, 

commented: “We are pleased to 

expand our partnership 

with international 

banks, reflecting their 

confidence in Ayla and 

Aqaba’s commitment 

to sustainability and 

good governance. This 

significant investment 

supports our vision for 

sustainable tourism 

and development in 

Jordan.” 

 

 


7

QUICK AND 

CLEAN 

WASTEWATER 

DISPOSAL 

PierPump - hassle-free disposal of waste water and bilge water 

from boats and yachts 

Skippers and landlubbers alike are clear about one thing: water is 

precious. Whether due to legal requirements or on their own initiative, 

more and more port operators also feel obliged to offer a professional 

disposal station for waste water and bilge water. With its powerful and 

robust rotary lobe pump the PierPump from Vogelsang comes at just 

the right time for all of them. It is easy to install and can be used by boat 

operators at the touch of a button. Emptying the tank takes just a few 

minutes and the waste water is discharged directly into the port‘s waste 

water system. 

More information at: 

vogelsang.info/int/pierpump-2024 

VOGELSANG LEADING IN TECHNOLOGY 

vogelsang.info

WORLD NEWS 

Four Seasons invests in Jacksonville plans 

USA: The Jacksonville Shipyards 

development on St Johns River in 

Jacksonville, Florida, an ambitious 

City project to turn disused 

industrial space into a thriving 

waterfront community, is to include 

a Four Seasons hotel. Four Seasons 

is partnering with Shahid Khan 

(via Iguana Investments Florida) 

to build the new hotel and private 

residences. 

Phase one of the City’s plan includes 

building a six-storey office building, 

revamping its full-service marina, 

revitalising Metropolitan Park, and 

adding a multi-function marina services 

building and public park. Hotel guests, 

residents and locals will all have access 

to the redeveloped marina. 

Anticipated to open in 2026, Four 

Seasons Jacksonville will offer 170 

rooms, 26 private residences, pools 

and dining options including a signature 

rooftop restaurant and bar. 

Phase two of the project will 

include a five-acre (two-ha) mixeduse 

development which may include 

a medical facility as well as retail, 

residential, car parking and green 

space. 

Mooring 

Post 

Don’t miss Mooring Post, our 

regular digital newsfeed. Sign up 

for free today at 

www.marinaworld.com/signup 

Highlights from June/July 

• USA: Management change at 

Sunrise Harbor Marina 

• CYPRUS: Larnaca Marina on hold 

• SAUDI ARABIA: SRSA issues first 

marina licences 

• UK: Windermere Marina project 

completes 

• NEW ZEALAND: Hobbs Bay 

marina proposed 

• MONACO: Landmark race for 

electric boats 

• MADAGASCAR: Maritime MoU 

signed with Abu Dhabi group 

• BAHRAIN: Marina project ahead 

of schedule 

Marina stars in latest 

Neom release 

SAUDI ARABIA: Jaumur, the largest luxury community envisaged for the 

ambitious Neom project in northwest Saudi Arabia, was announced in May. 

Master planned around a marina 

and offering homes for over 6,000 

residents, Jaumur will have 500 marina 

apartments and nearly 700 luxury 

villas, boasting waterfront access and 

private mooring. There will also be two 

distinctive destination hotels. 

As the focal point of the development, 

the marina will be iconic. A monumental 

1.5km (1mi) long aerofoil-shaped 

sculptural structure will rise above the 

largest yacht berths, providing yearround 

protection for yacht owners and 

a haven for residents and guests. The 

aerofoil incorporates a gravity-defying 

cantilever to form a stunning entrance 

to the marina, welcoming the world’s 

largest superyachts. 

The marina promenade will host 

entertainment, leisure and cultural 

experiences, with year-round arts 

events and performance programmes, 

complemented by signature retail 

stores and world-class dining options. 


9

Delivering the marinas 

of tomorrow 

Sea City Marina - Kuwait 

Hi-tech solutions to connect land and sea 

Pontoons, breakwaters, superyacht piers, floating crossings and 

constructions, off-the-shelf or customised, with robust and 

reliable structures in steel, aluminium or concrete. 

www.ingemar.it

J-Pier go-ahead 

for Sanctuary 

AUSTRALIA: Sanctuary Cove Marina on the Gold Coast has started the next 

stage of its expansion to cater for local and international demand for berths, 

particularly for superyachts, in the lead up to the Brisbane Olympics in 2032. 

Development of J Pier will see 

the addition of 25 new berths in the 

northern section of the marina basin 

(ten at 30m/98ft and 15 at 18m/59ft) 

and 18 jet ski docks. Superior Jetties 

won the build contract and expects to 

A1 plans for superyacht marina 

GREECE: The board of directors of HRADF, a 

member company of Growthfund – the National 

Fund of Greece – has accepted an improved 

offer from A1 Yacht Trade Consortium for the 

development of Argostoli Marina in Kefalonia. 

The consortium will hold the concession for at 

least 40 years and plans to spend over €30 million 

on upgrading and maintaining existing infrastructure. 

Ninety berths are planned, with a range of 

superyacht berths for vessels up to 100m (330ft) in 

the mix. 

A1 Trade Consortium has great experience in the 

nautical sector and looks to build a model marina 

that is totally integrated with the local community and 

respectful of Kefalonia’s natural resources. 

Renewal works will start in the fourth quarter of 

this year and take approximately three years. 

complete later this year. The new pier 

will be showcased at the Sanctuary 

Cove International Boat Show in May 

2025. 

Sanctuary Cove Marina forms part 

of Mulpha’s broader investment in 

WORLD NEWS 

the Sanctuary Cove resort, marina 

village, country club and residential 

estate. Mulpha CEO, Greg Shaw, says: 

“Providing our yachting clients with 

great marina facilities and direct access 

to world class retail, 5-star hotel, 

fitness, golf and leisure facilities has 

been a winning formula.” 

“Occupancy rates across the Gold 

Coast remain high and we are seeing 

increasing demand for larger boats 

as evidenced at the recent Sanctuary 

Cove International Boat Show,” he 

adds. “Strong sales by our exhibitors 

at recent boat shows also mean that 

there will be ongoing arrival of newly 

manufactured larger vessels over the 

coming years. As we rapidly approach 

the 2032 Olympics, we anticipate that 

demand, particularly for larger yachts, 

will continue to build.” 

Steve Sammes, general manager 

of Mulpha Sanctuary Cove Marina, 

adds: “Southeast Queensland’s Gold 

Coast is now globally recognised 

as Australia’s major marine industry 

hub and cruising destination for 

superyachts. Once J Pier is complete, 

we will have 63 berths for superyachts 

across the marina.” 

Pier C was completed at the end 

of 2022, with 31 berths from 18 to 

25m (59 to 82ft) and, according to 

Sammes, is currently fully occupied with 

permanent customers. The proposed 

30m (98ft) berths will also cater for 

vessels transiting south from Asia and 

up and down the Australian coast, and 

heading for the Gold Coast Marine 

Precinct for refit and maintenance. 


11

DRY STORAGE 

Patterson Lakes: 

pioneering Australian automated technology 

The largest marina in the Australian state of Victoria, Patterson Lakes Marina 

in Melbourne has taken receipt of the country’s first automated stacker crane 

– a five tonne JDN Monocrane with 3m (10ft) reach and 12m (39ft) lift height. 

Charlotte Niemiec reports 

Patterson Lakes Marina is no 

stranger to new initiatives. The marina’s 

history dates back to 1913, when Alfred 

Turner Priestley brought his family 

to Carrum for a holiday. Five years 

later, he purchased 170 

acres (69ha) of pastoral 

land north and west 

of the Patterson River, 

operating a dairy farm 

from its northern side. 

In 1966, the Priestley 

family established a 

dry dock marina – the 

southern hemisphere’s 

first man-made marina 

– which they called 

Whaler’s Cove Marina. 

In 1988, the farm and 

marina were sold to 

make way for the new 

suburb of Patterson 

Lakes. The marina was 

later renamed Patterson 

Lakes Marina and it 

remains the largest in 

Victoria. 

Today, it is a full 

service facility offering 

both wet berths and 

drystack storage options. 

Drystack boat storage 

A five-tonne JDN 

Monocrane offers an 

automated solution in the 

new drystack. 

is becoming a popular and efficient 

method for storing boats in Australia, 

says marina managing director Sam 

Zuchowski. 

“Given the premium on waterfront 

space in many parts of Australia, 

drystack storage is an attractive 

option because it maximises storage 

capacity within a limited footprint, whilst 

offering numerous benefits in terms of 

protection, security and convenience,” 

Zuchowski adds and, as the boating 

community continues to grow, demand 

for efficient and space-saving storage 

solutions like drystack is expected to 

rise. 

The marina has 250 drystack slots 

that cater for boats up to 9.2m (30ft), 

offering all-year-round protection from 

Melbourne’s temperate oceanic climate 

renowned for its changeable 

weather conditions. “Drystack 

storage is valued for its 

protection and security as boats 

are stored out of the water in a 

covered facility, which can help 

reduce maintenance costs and 

protect the vessels from the 

elements. Our dry dock is an 

excellent option for boat owners 

who prioritise these benefits,” 

Zuchowski says. 

Automating the drystack 

offering 

To help improve efficiency at 

the marina, management chose 

the automated JDN Monocrane 

for its reliability, precision and 

advanced automation features, 

Zuchowski explains, which make 

it ideal for efficiently managing 

boat storage operations. JDN 

Monocrane is a leading crane 

designer and manufacturer in 

Australia, founded in 1979 and 

offering a “one stop solutions 

shop” for design, manufacture, 

installation and service of a full 

range of standard and specialist 

lifting solutions. 

The automated stacker 


13

DRY STORAGE 

crane works in tandem with a boat 

lifter to handle boats being launched 

and stowed via the waterway in the 

drystack facility. As it is driverless, the 

system streamlines the boat launch and 

stowing process, making it faster and 

safer. 

During the boat launching process, 

boats are automatically retrieved from 

their designated slot or rack via a QR 

code located in the Boat Cloud App and 

placed on the boat lifter. The boat lift 

then lowers the vessel into the water. 

The Boat Cloud app was designed 

and developed by Boat Cloud LLC, a 

company focused on providing marina 

services software. The app simplifies 

the scheduling and management of 

boat launches and retrievals, reducing 

wait times and improving a marina’s 

overall efficiency. 

Upon return, Patterson Lakes Marina 

offers a washdown service. After this, 

to stow a boat, each boat is equipped 

with a unique QR code, located on the 

stern. The operator scans the code 

with the stacker crane’s scanner after 

it has been placed on the boat lift. 

This triggers the automatic stowing 

sequence, where the crane moves the 

boat to its designated storage location. 

To ensure safety and precision, 

cameras are mounted on the stacker 

crane, providing real-time images to 

the operator. Additionally, advanced 

positioning devices allow the operator 

to ensure precise positioning and 

movement of the crane millimeter by 

millimeter, further enhancing efficiency 

and safety. 

Wet berths and other facilities 

The marina offers secure all-weather 

wet berths on Bellingham floating docks 

for boats up to 29m (60ft) in length. 

All wet berths are fully serviced with 

240-volt power pedestals supplied by 

M Tech Marine Technologies, water 

and firefighting equipment. “We are 

continuing to upgrade our wet berths,” 

Zuchowski notes. Additionally, the 

marina offers a limited number of jet ski 

docks. 

The marina is securely gated with 

electronic card-scan access and all 

main walkways are protected by gate 

card secured entrances. Additionally, 

Patterson Lakes Marina is the largest 

marina in the Australian state of Victoria, 

offering wet slip moorings for boats up to 

29m (60ft) at Bellingham floating docks, 

and drystack for 250 vessels up to 9.2m 

(30ft). Set in a beautiful coastal location, 

it is well equipped for boat service and 

charter. 

24-hour video security is in place. 

A purpose-built marine service 

centre offers on-site maintenance and 

repair services, ensuring that owners 

have convenient access to essential 

boat care. The centre offers everything 

from mechanical repairs through to 

upholstery and antifouling. Its hardstand 

area can accommodate boats up to 

60ft (29m) in length and is serviced by 

a travel hoist with a lift capacity of 25 

tonnes. The hardstand is situated near 

new, purpose-built factories that offer 

mechanical services and complete boat 

maintenance. 

A 24-hour fuel dock is located in the 

Inner Harbour, offering unleaded and 

diesel fuel. 

The Cove hotel offers dining and 

gaming for guests, and the marina 

offers a gym, tennis courts, bathroom 

and toilet facilities. 

The gateway to the peninsula 

Patterson Lakes Marina lies midway 

between St Kilda and Portsea, with 

direct access to the popular Port Phillip 

Bay, making it an ideal spot for boating 

enthusiasts. It is known locally as the 

gateway to bustling waterways and the 

peninsula, via its access to Patterson 

River. Its proximity to the city of 

Melbourne – around a 35 minute drive 

– also makes it a convenient escape 

for city dwellers looking for recreational 

boat opportunities, or for incoming 

yacht owners to visit the city. 

“Several charter companies 

operate from Patterson Lakes 

Marina,” Zuchowski says, making it 

an ideal destination for those looking 

to experience the water without the 

commitment of boat ownership. 

Patterson Lakes Marina itself is set 

in a picturesque location with beautiful 

surroundings, providing a pleasant 

and relaxing atmosphere for boat 

owners and visitors. The marina’s wellmaintained 

grounds and waterfront 

views add to its charm and appeal. 

The area abounds with native 

Australian flora and fauna, including 

skinks, tree dragons, snakes and 

the shy duck-billed platypus, and is 

particularly prized for its birds and fish. 


15

DRY STORAGE 

Vintage drystack is now history 

Technology has been promoted to saturation point with regard to drystack automation. Some 15 years ago, the concept 

then known as Vertical Yachts was received with awe by prospective clients acquiring a condo + boat in Fort Lauderdale. 

But the system, and those that followed, did not captivate the users as expected. Oscar Siches reports 

In 2008, Hamilton Harbour 

Yacht Club was raised from the 

shores of Naples Bay, Florida 

and revolutionised the drystack 

system. Hamilton was not 

just one more drystack, but a 

concrete-built drystack, resistant 

to Cat 5 hurricanes, which are 

scary local phenomena. 

GCM from Fort Myers, the 

builder of this drystack, used 

the tilt-up technique: slabs for 

every wall, cell and level are 

created flat on the ground and 

afterwards lifted into position by 

crane and fixed together. This 

technique avoids the need to 

completely surround the building 

with scaffolding and requires 

just a small ground surface 

area for the work set-up. As 

Hamilton Harbour proved to be 

a successful operation, GCM 

realised that with an automated 

crane to move the boats, the 

centre aisle width (needed for 

forklift manoeuvring) could be 

significantly narrower, reducing 

the footprint of the building and either 

reducing the cost of the plot or freeing 

land up for commercial and hospitality 

use. 

GCM owner, Robert Brown, went 

hunting for what he considered to be 

the ideal machinery (crane) to handle 

the boats. After finding and discarding 

existing maritime equipment, he found 

ASAR founder and CEO Robert Brown (centre) with his sons Max 

Brown (left), vice president, and David Brown (right), business 

development, inside the Gulf Star Marina drystack building. 

LTW, an Austrian manufacturer of all 

types of containers moving equipment 

in all temperatures, humidity and 

corrosion-prone conditions. Drystacks 

are usually at the shoreside, they are 

humid and suffer salty air from the sea. 

Most boaters are aware (more or less) 

of this exposure. But let’s consider 

a few other aspects that are not so 

obvious. 

Drystack became very popular 

in the USA due to its practical 

advantages when, in the 1960s, 

the number of boats sold started 

to exceed the number of berths 

available. It was a bold move, 

but if we consider that people 

were moving from single homes 

to residential condos at the time, 

why not adopt a similar principle 

in the booming nautical industry? 

But typical drystacks had a few 

downsides. They were ugly sheds 

spoiling the natural beauty of a 

shoreside. Most of them were run 

by forklifts, generating loud noise 

from their engines and hydraulics, 

and dripping the inevitable lube 

and hydraulic oil in the aisle 

and launching/lifting platform. 

The exhaust gases (not called 

emissions then) were there, but 

we were not conscious of the 

damage being done. In a way, 

the 1960s ended the old-style 

industrial revolution; bigger, taller 

and more powerful was still better 

– and nothing to worry about. 

I apologise if I am distracting you 

with tales from the past, but I truly 

believe history has always influenced 

modern issues. History helps us to 

be better prepared to understand 

and deal with the present! And that’s 

what Robert Brown did. He visited old 

facilities, talked to operators, witnessed 

operations, and conceived ideas for 

his new, super-efficient drystack. A 

few years later, he found an old facility 

whose operator was willing to take a big 

step towards modernity, and the new 

Gulf Star ASAR drystack was born. 

The old shed was removed, the 

workshop was set, and the concrete 

slabs were cast and assembled. 

There were a few glitches with 

bureaucracy, and COVID didn’t help. 

Still, the drystack grew steadily, and 

with a friendly exterior aesthetic, as 

a community location with windows 

and decorative details matching the 

Gulf Star, the pioneering ASAR marina, 

has generous add-on space for a popular 

restaurant. 

16 www.marinaworld.com – July/August 2024

DRY STORAGE 

The tilt wall construction method was first 

used for Hamilton Harbour Yacht Club in 

2008, saving space and time, and reducing 

the need for scaffolding. 

surrounding architectural style. 

The choice of LTW crane technology 

included an independent, electric 

propulsion cart to fetch and deliver the 

boats to their appointed place in the 

building instead of the fixed forks of 

forklifts and column lifts. As unimportant 

as it sounds, the cart system allows for 

fundamental advantages: it allows the 

storage of boats in line on each building 

slot, increasing capacity by 30% to 50% 

within the same footprint, and allows 

the storage of large boats at the highest 

levels, incrementing the occupation per 

surface rate for prime rate boats. 

Efficiency comes hand in hand with 

safety and reduced running costs. We 

know that in the unfortunate case of a 

fire starting, heat sensors will trigger 

an array of inert foam generators and 

will fill the whole volume of the drystack 

in 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the 

facility size. Operators can now rest 

easier. They can also save energy 

as, due to the very low electricity 

consumption, the facility can be run 

on solar panels. It can also be partially 

built underground to respect local 

building codes. 

The system can be fully automatic, 

semi-automatic or fully manual to allow 

for storage stages, including services 

(hull cleaning and washing, polishing 

and repairs). It also has a self-learning 

capability, creating each boat’s usage 

expectation, be that seasonal, all-yearround, 

or just weekends, and making 

the most efficient distribution of each 

boat in the slots accordingly. This is the 

same principle supermarkets use when 

bringing forward Christmas decorations, 

Thanksgiving turkey and dressings 

Drystack design concepts, as can be seen in 

this CGI, can be multi-use and incorporate 

extensive architectural detailing. 

in October, or hearts and chocolates 

before Valentine’s. It is a priority-byuse 

protocol and very efficient in most 

cases. The most used, busiest boats 

get the prime position. 

The building exterior offers benefits, 

too. The rooftop can feature a large pool 

with a bar or restaurant. Light structures 

can be built alone or combined with 

part of the internal building volume 

right down to the ground perimeter 

to house restaurants and 

cafés, convenience stores, 

chandleries, clothing outlets, 

offices – anything that the 

imagination and the market 

indicates. Community 

services like children’s 

playgrounds, and space for 

introductory nautical courses 

and training for future 

drystack operators can create 

a community-minded facility 

and not just a boat park. 

The shoreside not only 

provides visitors with 

pleasant, natural landscapes 

but also the opportunity 

to rent small watercraft (canoes, 

waterboards, etc). The magic lies in 

providing the local community as well 

as the boat users with a destination for 

enjoying the water; a community driven 

by its enjoyment of the facility. 

And in larger drystacks the lower 

levels can form a condominium project. 

In this case, the absence of noise 

and emissions becomes even more 

important, and the possibilities of 

increasing the shoreside community 

services are almost limitless. A 

destination is born. 

To wrap up, we have a system that 

is hurricane-proof, fire-resistant, silent 

and community-focused. It optimises 

use of space, can be powered by solar 

panels, be fully or semi automated or 

manually driven, has a very low CO2 

footprint and a friendly visual impact. 

The modern automated drystack results 

from experience, user preferences, and 

ASAR’s forward vision and innovation. 


17

DESIGN | PRICING | CONSULTING | CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT 

 

CONTACT DAVID COYLE TODAY 

YOUR MARINA DRYSTACK & OUTDOOR RACK SPECIALIST 

HOME OF THE QUICK-RELEASE BOLT & 

ADJUSTABLE GROUND STAND SYSTEM 

B U I L D I N G S 

David Coyle | +1-704-361-7083 | DCoyle@MackDavidBuildings.com 

MackDavidBuildings.com | 6710 Professional Pkwy #327 | Sarasota FL USA 34240

DRY STORAGE 

F3 Marina Bimini 

will be targeted at 

the high end of the 

boating market with 

sophisticated concierge, 

and racking for boats up 

to 17m (56ft) in length. 

Sheltering boats in 

North Bimini 

A new, fully automated drystack marina is to be built in North Bimini, Bahamas 

as a joint venture between marina management company F3 Marina, developer 

of the F3 Marina Fort Lauderdale drystack in 2021, and RAV Bahamas Ltd, 

developer of the Bimini Bay Resort and Marina and Rockwell Island Estates. 

Only 48 miles from Florida’s east 

coast, North Bimini is easily reached by 

ferry, private boat or plane. Its pristine 

beaches and reputation as a major 

game fishing destination has made the 

Bahamian island popular with visitors 

from Florida and beyond. 

There is currently no drystack 

storage available on the island and 

boaters are required to tie up at wet 

slips and thus become exposed to 

inclement weather including hurricanes. 

This is a significant problem for local 

boat owners but especially problematic 

for Floridians as negotiating the Gulf 

Stream, running north between the US 

mainland and Bimini, can make for a 

difficult crossing. The new drystack will 

give them a safe alternative to keeping 

their boats on the island, and many 

island residents will also 

welcome the opportunity 

to store boats in a 

hurricane-rated facility 

and out of the elements. 

F3 Marina Bimini will 

offer covered storage for 

around 128 vessels up 

to 56ft (17m) in length 

and targets the high end 

of the boating market 

with concierge facilities 

in a first-class facility 

that offers transportation to and from 

the airport. Most slips will be available 

to rent but a smaller percentage up for 

sale. 

“F3 Marina Bimini will provide boaters 

with a true luxury experience from the 

time they arrive on the island,” says F3 

Marina president John Matheson. “This 

will completely change the boating 

landscape on North Bimini, providing a 

new level of service and peace of mind 

for boaters to enjoy.” 

To further enhance destination 

appeal and continue the growth of 

residential opportunities in North 

Bimini, the luxury resort brand Banyan 

Tree Hotel and Residences has 

also committed to its first Caribbean 

development in Bimini. The resort is on 

track to open in early 2025 with a 50- 

suite, 54-residence property. 

+61 7 5594 8200 

info@superiorjetties.com 

www.superiorjetties.com 

The Boatworks, Gold Coast, Australia 

World Class Marinas | Custom design to suit requirements 


19

Collaboration sets groundwork 

for advanced drystack build 

DRY STORAGE 

Bon Secour Marina in Alabama, USA, part of the Legendary portfolio of marinas, has been dramatically revitalised with a 

507-slot drystack storage facility designed and built by Florida-based Mack David Buildings. The highly anticipated and 

ambitious project represents a new benchmark in boat storage buildings. 

The Bon Secour Marina drystack in 

Alabama has covered storage for over 500 

boats and additional outside raised racks. 

effort between Coyle and the experts 

at Legendary. From the initial concept 

to the final touches, the project was 

characterised by a shared vision of 

excellence and innovation. Legendary 

provided valuable insights into the 

specific needs of boat owners, ensuring 

that the design was both practical and 

attractive. Coyle, meanwhile, focused 

on translating these requirements into 

a robust and aesthetically pleasing 

structure. The result is a marina that not 

only meets the functional needs of boat 

storage but also enhances the overall 

appeal of the site. 

The concept of the drystack storage 

marina was born out of a need for a 

more efficient, secure and visually 

appealing solution for boat storage. 

Legendary, a premier provider of 

marine services in the USA and the 

Bahamas, sought to enhance Bon 

Secour Marina to accommodate a 

growing clientele of boat owners. 

Recognising the potential for drystack 

to achieve this aim, the company turned 

to David Coyle, owner of Mack David 

Buildings, for a functional and durable 

solution that incorporates several 

cutting-edge features. 

“Mack David Building’s combination 

of competitive pricing and knowledge 

of marina operations stands out in this 

specialised industry,” said Legendary 

vice president Rodney Chamberlain. 

“David Coyle can create conceptual 

graphics very quickly to ensure that 

I, as the owner, get exactly what I am 

expecting.” 

Coyle brought not just his extensive 

experience in marina construction, but 

also his knack for innovation to the 

table. One of the standout features of 

the marina is his proprietary no-toolneeded 

quick-release bolt system for 

bunker boards. This system allows for 

easy adjustments and maintenance, 

significantly reducing the time and effort 

required to reconfigure storage spaces 

to accommodate different boat sizes. 

Additionally, the marina includes 

adjustable ground stands and ‘easyadjust’ 

racks. These features provide 

flexibility and convenience for marina 

operators, allowing them to more 

efficiently access and manage boats. 

The adjustable racks and boards can be 

easily modified using the marina forklift. 

The Gulf Shores region is no stranger 

to extreme weather conditions, making 

durability a critical factor in the design 

and construction of the marina. It is, 

therefore, built to be hurricane-rated, 

incorporating robust materials and 

construction techniques that provide 

enhanced resistance to high winds and 

storm surges. 

The use of high-strength steel frames 

and reinforced concrete foundations 

ensures that the marina is not only 

durable but also provides a safe and 

secure storage solution. The design 

also includes strategic drainage 

systems to manage rainwater and 

prevent flooding, further enhancing the 

marina’s resilience. 

The successful completion of the 

marina was the result of a collaborative 

Boat owners can now enjoy the 

peace of mind that comes with knowing 

their vessels are stored in a secure, 

hurricane-rated facility. The ease of 

access and maintenance provided by 

the design features further enhances 

the marina operator’s experience, 

making it simpler and more convenient 

to manage boats. 

The project also lays out the 

groundwork for future advancements 

in the field of marina construction. 

“The marina truly is state of the art,” 

said Jeremy Holcomb CMM, general 

manager Legendary Marina and Yacht 

Quick release ground stands increase 

efficiency for accessing and 

managing boats. 


21

DRY STORAGE 

Club, Gulf Shores. “The wide drive 

aisles allow us a clean swing on boats 

up to 50ft [15m] on a maximum of two 

points. In addition, the fire suppression 

design makes moving beams quick 

work for crew when necessary. The dual 

bridge design makes for a friendly and 

safe transition from vehicle to boat. You 

traverse down a beautiful promenade 

and beneath the launch bridges, never 

walking across the busy forklift pad.” 

“In addition to a vast in-water staging 

area, we also have 30 ground racks 

for flushing and washing, as well as 

70 outside raised racks for staging up 

to three high. This assembly line from 

launch, retrieval, staging, wash/flush 

and back to the vessel’s home, makes 

The new drystack has wide drive aisles 

making manoeuvring of vessels up to 50ft 

(15m) easier and safer. 

for an incredibly efficient launch and 

retrieval operation,” he added. 

The Mack David/Legendary team 

effort will be repeated as another 

creative collaboration is on the horizon 

for Legendary’s Bluewater Cay Marina 

in the Bahamas. This is described as the 

first of its kind for storing 65ft (19.8m) 

boats weighing 55,000lbs (25,000kg). 

Wiggins Lift will design and build a new 

forklift to handle boats of this size. 

“The new Legendary Marina at 

Blue Water Cay will be the first true 

dry storage facility in The Bahamas,” 

claims Rodney Chamberlain. “The 

Bahamian dry storage market has 

been ignored for many years, so 

there is a lot of excitement for us to 

bring this marina online. The current 

government recognises the need for 

this marina and the benefits it brings 

to local Bahamians, so it has been a 

real collaborative effort throughout this 

process.” 

The new drystack should be 

completed by mid-2025 but may edge 

into the third quarter. 

Design, Manufacture and Installation of Floating Pontoons, Marinas and Fishing Ports. 

(+34) 986 607 235 


©2024 Property of GCM Contracting Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved. 

Reimagin 

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destination experience! 

The future of dry stack marinas is poised for a thrilling and 

long-awaited evolution! New building designs, engineered 

to withstand hurricane-force winds, are ushering in a wave 

of luxury amenities and versatile spaces. Imagine high-end 

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residential homes, and really – anything you can dream of 

– seamlessly integrated into the marina landscape. 

ASAR (Automated Storage and Retrieval) technologies are 

at the forefront, offering space-efficient and economically 

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– maximizing ROI by increasing revenue-generating space. 

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16121 Lee Rd., Suite 101, Fort Myers, FL 33912 

GCMcontracting.com | (239) 334-8800

DRY STORAGE 

The Forklift Exchange midwest storage, 

service and refurbishing warehouse is 

located in Bedford Park, Illinois. It is 

equipped with service cranes up to 100 

tons. 

Perfecting a 

forklift portfolio 

When Marty Flaska set up a forklift workshop in his garage in Chicago in 1980, 

it was the start of an entrepreneurial success story. Joined by his brother, 

Mike, both of whom grew up helping their father in a small forklift repair shop, 

the co-owners have steadily built Forklift Exchange over more than 40 years to 

become an enterprise with multiple locations and international reach. 

One of the largest material-handling 

machinery wholesalers in the USA, 

Forklift Exchange specialises in new 

and used equipment for a range 

of industries including marine. The 

company truly shines in the marina 

drystack sector, where it is claimed 

to be the leading new and used 

equipment, service and parts provider 

for marina forklifts in North America. 

There have been many journey 

highlights. For example, Marty Flaska 

purchased manufacturing rights from 

Silent Hoist & Crane in 1994 for a brand 

renamed as Hoist Liftruck, and renamed 

as Hoist Material Handling when it was 

subsequently sold to Toyota in 2019. 

For new marina forklift sales, Forklift 

Exchange retains its connection with 

the Hoist range as an authorised dealer, 

servicer and parts supplier for the 

Neptune, and has also partnered with 

Marina Truck Sales to offer new Wiggins 

marina trucks, service and parts. 

Most recently, through its 

partnership with Marina Truck Sales, 

the company has added Ascom and 

ABI Trailers brands to offer even 

more product options and flexibility 

for its marina customers. All of the 

new offerings combine with an 

extensive selection of refurbished 

used marina trucks, enabling Forklift 

Exchange to offer an unparalleled 

product selection of top marina 

foklifts. 

The Flaska family has forklifts in its 

blood. Founder, Marty, and co-owner 

Mike, are joined by two younger 

generations of family members: 

Vincent (Vince) who is president; 

Maxx and Luke, joint principals; 

and Jason, national account manager. 

Marina World speaks to Luke Flaska: 

Q: Is your portfolio of products complete 

or do you have plans for even further 

expansion? 

A: We are always looking for new 

growth opportunities that complement 

our valued partners and pre-existing 

product line-up. Our goal is and always 

will be to serve and meet the needs of 

our customers to an industry-leading 

standard. Just like any industry, 

customer expectations and demands 

will continue to shift and evolve with 

time, our portfolio is no different. 

One thing that will always remain 

Workshop space at Bedford Park is used 

by staff specialising in parts, paint, 

fabrication and technical services. 


DRY STORAGE 

Luke Flaska: “We have the 

capacity to expand globally 

and we are eager to do so 

once we feel the market has 

grown enough abroad.” 

steadfast however is the 

partnerships we have 

with our current partners. 

We believe strongly 

that a partnership is not 

temporary, but rather a 

life-long agreement to 

work together through thick and thin. 

Q: What market reach do you have 

beyond the USA? 

A: Wherever there is a booming marina 

industry, we want our trucks and 

service there. Currently, we have great 

customer relationships in North, Central 

and South America, along with Europe 

and Australia. We have the capacity to 

expand globally and are eager to do 

so once we feel the market has grown 

enough abroad. 

Q: Supporting a large range of 

machinery from different brands in 

terms of after sales service and parts 

supply is an enterprise in itself. How is 

this arranged? 

A: It is certainly a feat to support 

these massive machines in numerous 

locations across the world, but we’ve 

developed an outstanding team of 

committed and hardworking people who 

share the same goal. Every division 

within our organisation has motivated 

individuals who know how to support 

our customers and solve problems. 

This is the first step. The second step 

is hands-on experience, and thankfully 

we have more than virtually any other 

service provider after nearly 25 years 

of high-capacity forklift manufacturing 

experience by owning and operating 

Hoist Liftruck. 

We engineered, manufactured, and 

serviced the first iterations of the Hoist 

Neptune, so it makes sense why our 

customers have so much trust in us to 

properly maintain the operations and 

lifespan of their machines. In terms 

of organisation, we have a division 

of Forklift Exchange dedicated solely 

to scheduling service calls for our 

technicians so we can maximise the 

amount of high-quality service work 

per day. 

Over half of the team 

at our company consists 

of either shop or road 

technicians, and this 

is reflected directly in 

the quality of work we 

perform. We worked hard 

to get a talented team of 

high-quality individuals, 

and we are constantly 

searching to add more 

members to our team who 

meet our high standards. 

We also have a supply chain team that 

dedicates its time to parts sourcing and 

sales so our customers can always get 

what they need in a timely manner. 

Q: What challenges are you 

experiencing now and foresee for 

the future as yard machinery ‘goes 

electric’? Is there much demand at 

the moment for electric or hybrid 

machinery? 

A: As a company that always prepares 

for the future and industry trends, we 

have not seen significant demand yet 

from customers for electric marina lifts 

for what we believe to be two primary 

reasons. 

First, there simply is not a robust 

infrastructure to support these 

machines from both OEMs and the 

charging infrastructure. Although 

there certainly are electric marina lifts 

manufactured each year, it remains a 

small percentage of overall new truck 

production. 

Second, it is difficult for marinas to 

rely on electric machines due to cycle 

times, the weight of the machines, and 

significant hydraulic demands. When a 

diesel forklift gets low on fuel, you take 

a few minutes to refuel and you’re back 

up and operating. The same cannot 

be said for electric forklifts which are 

worked non-stop throughout the day 

and cannot afford to spend 30+ minutes 

recharging every few hours. 

There is some interest growing in the 

field of hydrogen power, as it functions 

similarly to diesel in regard to long 

run times and quick refuelling with the 

benefits of green energy. This field is 

still in its proprietary stages, but it’s 

possible that we see hydrogen forklifts 

become a prominent industry in the 

next few years. For now, diesel remains 

king. 

Q: How do you see drystack evolving? 

A: As boats get bigger and heavier, 

drystacks get larger, and marina 

managers need bigger and heavier 

forklifts to move their customers’ 

growing boats. This is a trend that will 

never go away. The bigger, the better. 

Q: There is room in the industry for 

fully and partly automated systems and 

traditional forklift operated facilities. 

What are the benefits of going the 

forklift route? 

A: This is an interesting question. 

Automation and AI are obviously the hot 

topics of 2024 across every industry. 

Especially for the machinery moving 

and marina space, automation is an 

interesting concept. Although it may 

work in some practices, the reality is 

that it is more affordable to hire a skilled 

forklift operator and actually more 

efficient as well than having a slower 

fully automated boat storage system. 

Having a skilled forklift operator allows 

the operator to “feel” the machine and 

understand when you may be in trouble. 

Similarly, a skilled operator can 

actually outperform an automated 

system because of their ability to 

troubleshoot and find creative solutions 

The newly renovated workshop at the 

Fort Myers facility is staffed by a team 

formerly known as Hoist Lift 

of Florida. 


25

DRY STORAGE 

A ten-ton industrial crane, indoor paint 

booth and full wash pit capabilities are 

features of the 18,000ft² (1,700m²) facility 

in Fort Myers, Florida. 

to drystack obstacles. In a setting like 

an Amazon warehouse where you have 

automated robots moving 50lb boxes 

of goods worth a few thousand dollars 

at most, you can afford for machines 

to make mistakes and damage goods 

because this system welcomes 

automated processing. However, in a 

drystack setting where your cargo can 

be worth millions, you cannot afford to 

rely on a robot unless it is absolutely 

flawless. We are not at that point yet. 

There may be a place for automation, 

but it would be on boats that are 

outside the lifting capabilities of forklifts. 

When you get above a 60ft [18m] boat, 

the size of forklift required to pick it up 

and the aisle space and infrastructure 

required to support it become 

unfeasible. Based on our market 

research, the average boat size in the 

last 20+ years has increased from 23ft 

[7m] to 32ft [9.7m]. At this length, a 

forklift is significantly more efficient. 

Given the boat counts at marinas and 

heavy requirements during the season, 

there are not enough hours in a day to 

pick, drop, pull, set, wash, rack and rerack 

boats with automated machines. 

Q: What do you think are the biggest 

challenges facing existing and would-be 

drystack operators? 

A: We’ve noticed a lot of consolidation 

across the drystack industry as of late. 

Smaller mom-and-pop shops have 

sold their marinas to larger managing 

corporations that are looking to help 

grow the marina industry. I wouldn’t 

necessarily say this is a challenge as 

it has pros and cons, however, if you 

were thinking about opening a marina it 

is certainly much more difficult now as 

there’s a significantly higher amount of 

capital in the industry on the operator 

side. Additionally, environmental 

challenges, higher cost of entry, high 

interest rates, increased level of service 

expectations from customers, and 

finding consistent and qualified labour 

offer challenges as well. 

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TALKING SHOP 

Bruno 

Santori 

Continuing the 

sustainability programme 

Located in Abruzzo in central Italy, a region dominated by snow-capped 

mountains, wild nature, ancient memories and fabulous seas, Marina di 

Pescara is much loved by the British, Italians and Northern Europeans. 

Donatella Zucca asked marina director Bruno Santori to talk shop. 

With 1,000 berths at a combination 

of 22 fixed and floating docks and a 

shipyard with 40 and 100 ton boat 

hoists, Marina di Pescara has for many 

years been one of the largest port 

facilities on the Italian Adriatic. Just 3km 

(1.8mi) from an international airport 

and in close proximity to ski slopes, it is 

a destination within a destination – and 

the environment is key. 

Getting greener 

“For us, environmental and 

sustainability sensitivity 

are part of a discussion 

that began at least ten 

years ago when we were 

among the first Italian 

ports to carry out separate 

waste collection directly 

on the docks,” Bruno 

Santori says. “Obviously, 

we didn’t stop there as 

Above & right: Marina di 

Pescara, one of the largest 

port facilities on the Italian 

coast, is popular with locals, 

nationals and overseas 

visitors. The site includes an 

open air theatre for hosting 

summer events. 

over the years the various boards of 

directors have always paid attention 

to environmental issues. One of the 

most important was the installation of a 

reverse osmosis water maker in 2018, 

which transforms sea water into fresh 

water and is used for irrigation and boat 

wash purposes. This means we are 

independent from the public supply and 

self-sufficient for these things. Water is 

a resource to be protected.” 

The marina’s green mission has 

secured it a European Blue Flag since 

1990, TYHA 4 Gold Anchor status, and 

an assured place in the Assonat Porto 

Sostenibile project. 

“Retaining the FEE Blue Flag is a 

dynamic process,” Santori explains. 

“It requires doing more every single 

year and, in 34 years, we’ve put a lot 

of irons in the fire. For example, we 

host two Seabin devices, which collect 

waste from the surface of the water and 

prevent it falling to the seabed where it 

would interfere with the ecosystem.” 

The marina’s Gold Anchors were 

awarded in 2012, making Marina di 

Pescara the only tourist port in Italy 

at the time with such an accolade. 

Santori says that the path to securing 

the anchors overlapped with actions 

taken to secure the Blue Flag but that 

the main focus for the Gold Anchors 

was on management. “It rewards the 

services, the level of professionalism 

in the port, the safety equipment and 

so on, but from a very market-oriented 

perspective.” 

The Porto Sostenibile accreditation, 

run by the Italian trade association 

Assonat, is also important as 

it measures performance in 

environmental, social and economic 

areas as well as financial status 

and digitalisation. The model was 

implemented via a pilot project of 12 

marinas, one of which was Marina di 

Pescara, and now issues 

ethical sustainability 

statements. “This is an 

important step,” Santori 

insists,” as it helps us 

understand what is 

right, wrong or in need 

of improvement and is 

a label of guarantee for 

external stakeholders. It’s 

a passport for managerial 

and environmental 

correctness for customers 

and potential suppliers, 

and it’s also useful in the 

concession procedures.” 

Owned 100% by the 

Chieti-Pescara Chamber of 

Commerce, the marina has 


TALKING SHOP 

The Piazzette is the 

most visited part of 

the site as it hosts 

a variety of shops 

and activities, and 

offers a range of 

dining options, 

many of which are 

highly prized. 

been led since 

2023 by a new 

board of directors 

chaired by Gianni 

Taucci, all of 

whom are further 

committed to increasing performance. 

New energy-saving electricity and water 

pedestals were announced last year 

and other energy efficiencies are on the 

cards. 

“The water interventions I mentioned 

before also have lower production costs 

than if we took water from the mains,” 

Santori notes,” but we’ve also looked 

at the issue of charging stations. In 

addition to equipping the marina with 

systems that can be managed remotely 

with the necessary digitised features, 

we’ve reduced the cost of energy and 

water in the marina by 45%. We no 

longer have indiscriminate consumption 

invoiced at a flat rate so we’ve reduced 

our environmental impact by saving 

water and electricity consumption, 

which translates into reduced release 

of CO 2 .” 

Changing demographics 

Marina di Pescara has an enviable 

turnover, especially as its annual profit 

increased in 2022 by €68,229 (turnover 

€2,805,857) with only 50% berth 

occupancy. How well did the marina 

do in 2023 and how is 2024 panning 

out? “Out of 1,000 places, we have 700 

occupied on a long-term basis and an 

average of 200 to 250 in annual and 

monthly rentals, depending on the type 

of contract. What we are witnessing and 

focusing on is the positive impact of the 

generational turnover that is happening 

now. The marina was established in 

the late 80s and early 90s so the boat 

owners of these years are now handing 

over to new generations, which is our 

insurance for the future.” 

Young people, however, use the 

marina differently. “There was a 

generation gap in sailing but today 

young enthusiasts, many of whom 

started at sailing and dinghy school, 

are coming back. There was an historic 

phase between the old and new 

millennia in which this step was missing 

for reasons I cannot explain. Among 

the new boaters, however, I see a 

proportional growth of motor compared 

to sail. The prospects are comforting 

but, as we only have 11 years left of 

our current concession, we are trying 

to increase the number of long-term 

contracts.” 

The board of directors also actively 

seeks to secure, maintain and increase 

visitor interest and last year president 

Gianni Taucci announced a plan to 

initiate winter season training and 

education activities for boaters and 

local residents to complement the 

summer season programme. 

“The new board of directors took 

office in October and we essentially 

spent the winter preparing for the 

2024 summer season, focusing on a 

greater relationship with users and 

making use of the collaboration with 

Assonautica Pescara-Chieti,” Santori 

explains. “The Peripheral Assonautica 

Italiana organisation embraces the 

entire nautical chain for the promotion 

and development of the sea economy 

including pleasure boating and nautical 

tourism. To extend summer activities 

into winter, we can also use the covered 

spaces offered by the Chamber of 

Commerce – but the summer here is 

very long!” he adds. 

This is just one example of how the 

Chamber of Commerce influences a 

marina in which it has a totally vested 

interest. “It is a 100% shareholder and 

recognises the marina’s economic value. 

It therefore has a strong motivation to 

support and enhance its role. In addition 

to the marina staff, a real industry 

revolves around the port as around 200 

people pass through the gates daily to 

work here. Then there is the economy 

generated and multiplied by the marina 

activities, such as nautical supplies, 

clothing, catering, boatbuilding etc., 

which contributes to making the port one 

of the top companies in Pescara.” 


29

TALKING SHOP 

A hub for visitors 

Santori’s aim is for the 

marina to cover all bases 

as a departure, arrivals and 

transit place. “We cannot think 

of competing with Croatia 

or other destinations in the 

eastern Adriatic as here 

there are no islands, bays or 

attractive shelters, but our 

trump card is Pescara as a 

city,” he says. 

“Boat owners from 

anywhere in Europe can 

reach their boat five minutes 

from the airport after a few 

hours of flight time. This 

is very important and is 

demonstrated by the growth of 

foreigners from Great Britain, Germany 

and even Scandinavia as permanent 

residents. English dominates in terms 

of foreign languages spoken and has 

always been used most in the nautical 

world, and the British are crazy about 

Abruzzo. We’ve also seen a significant 

influx of yachtsmen from Poland.” 

Visitors can enjoy the wild natural 

mountainous terrain although more 

could be done to promote the location. 

“It could have a much greater impact 

if an integrated tourist marketing 

strategy was implemented. In some 

ways, Abruzzo is still an unexplored 

region and, in my opinion, there are 

still enormous margins to be exploited. 

We are trying here. For example, we 

are consolidating a network among the 

other regional tourist destinations in 

order to create a single interlocutor in 

the region, a main player for promoting 

tourism.” 

As the marina is just a five 

minute drive from the airport, 

boat owners from anywhere in 

Europe can reach their boat 

swiftly after a few hours of flight 

time. 

“There are many places 

to visit, such as the first 

medieval villages – little 

known gems – just 3km 

(1.8mi) away, and the Maiella 

foothills a few kilometres 

further on, dotted with 

hermitages, monasteries and 

natural beauty spots. The 

wild component takes over 

towards the regional capital 

L’Aquila, which has several 

medieval and renaissance 

masterpieces.” 

While much is available to explore 

locally and regionally, the marina itself 

has its lure. “The most visited place 

is the shopping centre – or rather the 

part of the Piazzetta that hosts various 

activities and dining options. Some of 

these are quite renowned, and it’s the 

place to be for all summer events, as 

a meeting point for visitors and for the 

citizens of Pescara.” 

Untitled-1 1 27/06/2024 18:46 

S O M E S E E W A T E R . 

W E S E E P A D E L F I E L D . 

See the world as we see it and build on 

water. Take your marina to the next level 

– our expertise guarantees the journey 

from idea to reality. 

info@bluet.fi | www.bluet.fi 


FLOATING SOLUTIONS 

Building ‘tomorrow’s’ 

floating structures 

With a legacy spanning over three decades, Golden Marine Systems 

and Golden Manufacturing are not only firmly established as premier 

manufacturers of floating dock systems but well versed in seamlessly 

integrating various structures into their projects. Michael Shanley, president of 

Golden Marine Systems, spearheads this endeavour using his insight on the 

critical importance of meticulous planning and comprehensive understanding 

right from project inception. 

Shanley asserts that the foundation 

of a successful project lies in the 

adept handling of initial information. 

A thorough comprehension of 

crucial details, such as weight 

distribution, footprint dimensions, utility 

requirements, intended structure use 

and the intricacy of the anchoring 

system, lays the groundwork for a 

seamless transition into the design 

and engineering phase. Armed with 

such vital data, the design team can 

navigate through the complexities with 

greater ease and precision, ensuring 

adherence to the requisite design 

criteria. 

A project for MarineMax 

in Pensacola, Florida 

required meticulous 

detailing to assess the 

impact of vessels docking 

on a floating structure. 

The realm of 

essential information 

extends far beyond 

technical specifications 

alone, he notes. 

Site-specific factors 

wield considerable 

influence over the 

project’s trajectory. 

Considerations such 

as water levels, 

prevailing wind and 

wave conditions, and 

exposure to long 

fetches emerge as 

indispensable elements 

in the planning phase. 

Furthermore, a meticulous assessment 

of vessel dimensions and operational 

requirements, such as fuel or other 

dockside services, is imperative when 

accounting for the impact of vessels 

docking onto a floating structure 

as showcased in the company’s 

MarineMax project in Pensacola. 

Design and construction of floating 

structures must be tailored to meet 

precise yet diverse needs, e.g. solutions 

for fuel docks that incorporate auxiliary 

structures designed to accommodate 

boating supplies and provide office 

space for marina personnel. 

In an evolving landscape, floating 

structures are witnessing a surge in 

popularity, particularly in the burgeoning 

floating home sector. Shanley attests 

to the growing demand from clients 

intrigued by the prospect of floating 

homes, which necessitates a holistic 

approach encompassing both floating 

dock systems and boat lifts. 


31


Creative solutions for 

challenging projects 

A floating infinity pool at the Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como hotel in 

Italy, completed in April 2023, was technically challenging in design and 

implementation but at the same time one of the most interesting projects 

undertaken to date by Finnish floating solutions specialist Bluet. Marina World 

explores this project and discusses floating projects in general with Bluet CEO 

Tytti Sirola. 

The Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como 

project with pool and spacious sundeck 

was commissioned by the luxury hotel 

group Mandarin Oriental and, thanks 

to Bluet, succeeds in realising the 

architects’ vision of a stable aquatic 

oasis that blends seamlessly with the 

lake view. It is believed to be the world’s 

largest floating infinity pool. 

Narrow-edge infinity pools create an 

illusion of water with no boundary and 

because they are filled to the brim to 

maintain the illusion, the edge has to be 

level within fractions of a millimetre. 

“Our initial reaction was that this is 

an impossible task. An infinity pool 

40m [131ft] long on a floating platform, 

required to stay virtually fixed in place 

in restless waters, and next to a busy 

boating lane? It’s like trying to create 

an infinity edge along the entire length 

of a boat,” said Bluet technical director 

Kimmo Saharinen. 

As no one in the world has previously 

built a free-floating infinity pool of such 

scope, there was no precedent with 

which to work. Stability was the key 

point of concern and, for example, 

wave buoys were used to collect data 

on the wave conditions in the area to 

help build a 1:10 scale model of the 

pool assembly with sundeck. The model 

was then tested at the VTT Technical 

Research Centre of Finland laboratory 

in Otaniemi, Espoo by simulating Lake 

Como’s wave conditions in a wave 

generator. 

The project took over two years 

to complete, met with a tranche of 

technical challenges that required 

creative solutions, and resulted in Bluet 

deviating from its norm of basing a 

floating pool on a barge structure (like a 

ship’s hull) and building the Lake Como 

pool on a catamaran structure. 

Eliminating lateral and vertical 

movement on the sun deck moorings 

was particularly tricky – even the 

possibility of earthquakes had to be 

considered. Bluet eventually adopted a 

hybrid solution of existing underwater 

structures in combination with a 20m 

(66ft) damped armed mooring system 

designed by Bluet, which is typically 

used for houseboats. 

The stability of the pool assembly 

was improved with heavy-duty corner 

weights, with each corner featuring four 

1,000kg damping plates to help the 

structure keep its balance. Maintaining 

the infinity effect caused headaches for 

the Bluet team before they artificially 

increased the volume of water spilling 

over the edge by boosting the pumping 

to about three times that of a regular 

infinity pool. 

Bluet’s early involvement at the 

conceptual stage of the project was a 

key element in its success. Throughout 

the whole process the company 

worked together with the Mandarin 

Oriental project team and world-leading 

architects Herzog & de Meuron, notable 

designers of icons such as the Beijing 

Olympic stadium and the Tate Modern 

gallery in London. 

Above & left: An infinity pool and sundeck, 

designed and built by Bluet for the 

Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como hotel in 

Italy, blends seamlessly with the lake. 



Talking to Tytti Sirola 

Q: Was this the most challenging 

floating project Bluet has completed? 

A: The Lake Como floating pool had 

many complex angles but challenges 

were truly found right at the beginning 

of our years of operation, ranging 

from the Allas Sea Pool in Helsinki to 

a private house in Sweden. This was 

because at that time we didn’t have 

the experience we have now, and the 

team was as yet not so well grounded 

together. We also had to improvise a 

lot as the schedule demands were very 

tight, and several things were done “for 

the first time”. We are proud of each 

and every project and can truly say that 

we are well experienced and prepared 

nowadays for whatever comes up when 

floating construction is being evaluated. 

Q: Are floating structures suitable for 

coastal locations or are they better 

suited to more protected inland sites? 

A: Floating structures are suitable for 

sheltered protected locations as they 

do not withstand the harsh conditions of 

the open sea and require either natural 

or man-made protection from wind and 

waves, for example, location in the bay, 

or protection with the help of either 

floating or fixed breakwaters. Marinas 

are considered to be one of the perfect 

locations for floating construction as 

they are typically located in calmer 

areas and they have a ready-built 

infrastructure, such as parking places, 

electricity, sewage and water. Also, 

the site conditions have been studied, 

so the design and analysing process 

doesn’t have to start from scratch. 

Q: What anchoring systems are used? 

A: Depending on location depth, waves 

and other site conditions defined 

after the water site study, floating 

solutions can be anchored by using 

traditional methods, such as chain or 

pile anchoring, as well as 

a combination of chain 

and rope anchoring, or 

technologies like Seaflex 

or Bluet arm mooring 

system, customised for 

the specific forces at 

Bluet has overall project 

supervision responsibility 

for a marina development 

with floating houses at 

Verkkosaari in Finland. 

The project will be built in 

phases, starting with the 

marina in spring 2025. 

Image/design © Bluet Oy. 

Tytti Sirola 

each location. 

The selected 

anchoring 

method is 

not only 

based on the 

combination 

of site conditions and structural 

technical requirements but also 

cost-effectiveness and ease of 

transportation, as well as the need and 

frequency for the solution to be moved 

or towed if applicable. 

Q: How durable are the materials 

involved, including the floatation 

modules, and do floating solutions 

require more maintenance than landbased 

structures? 

A: Bluet is not restricted to one 

structure and material type but uses 

several different options as floating 

projects need to be designed projectspecific. 

Climate conditions at the water 

site need to be taken into account, as 

well as project needs, project type, 

end-use, local rules and regulations, 

and budget. We use concrete, steel, 

aluminium, plastic or a combination 

of these in our floatation modules, 

modularity being the key aspect for 

project customisation. 

Floating solutions do not require 

more maintenance than land-based 

structures. For example, floating pools 

require daily, weekly, monthly and 

annual maintenance and inspections 

much as a land-based unit, and Bluet 

provides a full maintenance manual and 

instructions, with local team training as 

part of our lifetime services. In harsher 

climate conditions we recommend 

annual anchoring checks after winter 

for example. Proper maintenance 

extends durability. Floating solutions 

usually have a design lifetime of 50 

years and are delivered with a normal 

two-year warranty period, which can be 

extended with maintenance contracts. 

Q: You have many other interesting 

projects underway and recently 

completed including floating houses at 

Verkkosaari and a marina development 

in Jyväskylä. Can you give an update 

on these? 

A: The Verkkosaari project is 

progressing although the schedule has 

been adjusted. The City has completed 

the landside infrastructure which we’ve 

been waiting for for several years. 

During this summer we will finalise 

the building application permit. The 

showroom will be built in the autumn, 

i.e. October/November before the ice 

sets in. Our target is to start producing 

marina pontoons during winter 

2024/2025. The marina will then be 

built next spring (2025). We will have 

the breakwater ready before building 

infrastructure for the floating houses. 

19 of 30 apartments are already 

initially reserved. Straight after the 

building permit is approved by the 

authorities we will start finalising the 

contract and officially start sales. The 

project is a collaboration between 

Bluet, the pontoon manufacturer, the 

house builder and general contractor. 

We have overall project supervision 

responsibility. 

The first house buyers have priority 

on buying a berth in the marina and 

use of the clubhouse if they wish. There 

is a separate investor for the housing 

area and another investor/operator for 

the marina. 

The project will be built in phases 

starting with the marina, and the 

houses will be split into three plots and 

built consecutively. 

Lutakko Marina in Jyväskylä has 

been finalised, following our 

design and implementation 

works. The marina was 

reorganised to improve 

its functionality and 

atmosphere. It was a wellplanned 

marina facelift 

where recycling and costeffective 

aspects were taken 

into consideration. The plan 

for activating the marina 

with floating solutions has 

been added for the City 

zoning plan and we look 

forward to the future when 

it is time to turn plans into 

reality. 


33

EVENTS 

IBEX 2024: Exploring 

the biggest issues 

The 2024 International Boatbuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX), North 

America’s premier technical trade event for the recreational marine industry, 

will take place at the Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, Florida 1 st -3 rd October. 

Hosting over 700 exhibiting 

companies and anticipating around 

8,000 attendees, IBEX will once again 

serve as a crucial hub for networking 

and business development. The Marina 

& Yard Trade Route (MYTR) will include 

exhibitors spread throughout all three 

floors of the exhibit halls. Marina and 

boatyard operators can curate their 

MYTR experience via the IBEX website 

and an on-site show mobile app. This 

allows them to visit the exhibitors that 

cater specifically for this part of the 

marine industry. 

“We look forward to welcoming the 

marine industry once again to Tampa 

for this year’s show,” says IBEX show 

director Anne Dunbar. “IBEX is where 

the industry comes together to do 

business and learn about the latest 

technology and techniques. This 

year we have some new and exciting 

educational and networking events for 

visitors and exhibitors, along with our 

packed exhibit halls, IBEX docks and 

expanded outdoor demo space.” 

Starting up 

One of the major new initiatives 

for 2024 is the Start-Up Pavilion, a 

joint enterprise launched by IBEX 

and Yachting Ventures. The space 

will provide a platform for 12 startups 

to showcase their cutting-edge 

technologies and solutions throughout 

the three-day event. Following a format 

that proved successful at Metstrade 

2023 in Amsterdam, the new pavilion 

offers start-ups the opportunity to 

engage with industry experts, present 

their products, and participate in a 

pitching competition judged by a panel 

of investors. 

For marine industry start-ups, 

participation presents a unique 

opportunity to gain exposure, access 

industry networks, and receive 

valuable feedback from key industry 

professionals, boat builders and OEMs 

in the USA. It is a cost-effective way 

to begin exploring the potential of 

the US market, while also benefiting 

from the media coverage and content 

highlighted by Yachting Ventures. 

The Yachting Ventures team will 

also be working closely with the local 

tech ecosystem in Tampa to organise 

a pitching competition where five 

companies will compete for a chance 

to secure investment, gain further 

recognition and propel growth. The 

Tampa Bay area is a rapidly growing 

start-up hub that’s been named by 

Forbes as one of the best emerging 

tech cities and one of the best places to 

work in tech. 

“We’re excited to launch a dedicated 

Start-Up Pavilion at IBEX,” comments 

Yachting Ventures founder Gabriella 

Richardson. “Most start-ups we work 

with see the US market as a big 

opportunity. Being part of the pavilion 

will allow them to explore this market 

and connect with important partners 

and OEMs.” 

First for education 

New for 2024, and part of the Education 

Conference, IBEX will unveil its newly 

designed Main Stage. The Main Stage 

will host general sessions and events 

throughout the show, covering topics 

such as leadership, workforce, industry 

research and analysis. Also premiering 

this year is the new Leadership Track, 

designed for C-Suite visitors and offering 

a space for education and discussion 

about the future of the industry. 

Topics covered on the Main 

Stage include: 

Pathways to propulsion 

decarbonisation: Jeff Wasil, NMMA 

and Patrick Hemp, ICOMIA share 

some of the technical outcomes 

of the Pathways to Propulsion 

Decarbonisation for the Recreational 

Marine Industry study completed with 

Ricardo plc. 

Marine industry workplace research: 

The Soundings Trade Only team 

presents the results of groundbreaking 

2024 Marine Industry Workplace 

research focused on attracting, 

retaining and developing top tier talent. 

The research results are followed by an 

industry panel discussion. 

Avoiding contradictions in 

technology: Today’s durable hulls 

are built for sustainability; boats are 

expected to last 40 years or longer. 

However, with more complex electronic 

components, how do we as an industry 

manage the longevity of the boat’s 

design and build compared with the 

relatively short lifespan of electric 

components? A panel discussion 

considers the lifespan differences in 

electrical systems, propulsion and 

vessel design, and what this means for 

boat repair and maintenance. 

Visionary leadership – the driving 

force behind the marine industry’s 

small and medium sized businesses: 

A two-hour session exploring the 

qualities of a visionary leader, including 

operating with a strong results 

orientation, being supportive, seeking 

different perspectives and solving 

problems effectively. The panel will 

discuss strategies that reflect company 

culture and business stage of evolution. 

Register at www.ibexshow.com 


Leading UK Manufacturer 

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waterfronts globally since 1990 

Let’s discuss 

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For more details contact Rolec’s Marina team 

t: +44 (0) 1205 724754 

e: rolec@rolecserv.co.uk 

www.rolecserv.com

Untitled-2 1 19/06/2024 19:49

EVENTS 

Attendees at the third Monaco Smart & 

Sustainable Rendezvous in 2023. 

Fourth Monaco 

Rendezvous focuses 

on innovation 

The Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous for 2024 will take 

place on 22nd and 23rd September at Yacht Club de Monaco, uniting leading 

figures from the marina and yachting industries to collaborate and foster an 

environment dedicated to smart and sustainable marina solutions. Under the 

aegis of Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting, the initiative seeks to drive 

positive change in the marine sector, raise awareness and lead to concrete 

actions. 

Organised by M3-Monaco Marina 

Management and supported by Prince 

Albert II of Monaco Foundation, 

the two-day gathering will focus on 

unveiling cutting-edge technologies 

and innovative strategies for creating 

marinas that are not only efficient and 

appealing but also responsible and 

ethical. 

“In a world of perpetual change, 

marinas stand as crucial anchor points 

for the maritime industry. Our vision 

is to create responsible and resilient 

spaces, where technological innovation 

and environmental preservation blend 

harmoniously. By uniting our efforts on 

a global scale, we can shape a future 

where marinas are not only economic 

hubs but also models of sustainable 

excellence,” says José Marco Casellini, 

CEO of Monaco Marina Management. 

Bernard d’Alessandri, secretary 

general of Yacht Club de Monaco, adds: 

“Many owners are deeply concerned 

about the future of yachting. This trend 

can only be sustained if the facilities 

that host yachts are adapted to 

support the energy and environmental 

transition. We have a responsibility to 

promote initiatives that contribute to 

greener yachting. A marina is a crucial 

element in the yachting ecosystem, 

acting as a micro-city that seamlessly 

connects and interacts with the land 

and sea environment.” 

A two-stage event 

The Smart Marina Awards 2024 form 

a central focus of the Monaco event 

and, as in past years, an international 

jury with experts in many fields will be 

hard at work. Operational and ‘project’ 

marinas will present their actions and 

practices to lower their impact on the 

environment, and start-ups and scaleups 

will go through a selection process 

to demonstrate solutions related to 

biodiversity regeneration, energy 

production, waterfront construction, 

energy optimisation, waste and 

water management, equipment and 

marina management categories. 

Innovators will be able to 

participate in the Marina Case 

Study provided by Flisvos Marina 

(Greece), Karpaz Gate (North 

Cyprus) and Marina di Stabia (Italy), 

and to meet selected marinas and 

architects before the event through 

an online networking platform. 

Architects come into focus as 

this year’s call for ideas includes 

the design of a floating marina in 

the sensitive Calanque de Sormiou 

in Marseille, France. Aiming to further 

preserve the environment, particularly 

the seagrass in the Mediterranean, 

without causing upheaval for boaters, 

the competition encourages the use 

of innovative materials, functionalities 

and energy-efficient technologies to 

promote sustainability and preserve 

bio-diversity in the marina sector. 

Marinas, start-ups and scaleups, 

and architects will go through 

a selection process throughout the 

summer. The e-catalogue, referencing 

50 start-ups and scale-ups and 20 

marinas and architects has been 

produced throughout June and into 

July (deadline 22nd July). This will be 

followed by one-on-one interviews with 

the jury and consensus meetings. 

Connecting and 

contributing 

Around 250 professionals focusing 

on all aspects of the ecosystem will 

attend the annual rendezvous. The 

Master of Ceremony, David Seal, will 

set the tone for the two-day event 

with networking sessions, workshops 

and conferences, focusing this year 

on the role of banks, architecture 

and technology in encouraging and 

benefiting marinas that work to protect 

the environment and optimise energy 

and manage resources, while always 

offering excellent user experiences, 

high-end facilities and involvement with 

local communities. 

The Monaco Smart & Sustainable 

Marina Rendezvous will celebrate the 

winners of each category – Marina, 

Start-up and Scale-up, and Architect – 

at the Awards Ceremony. 

Further information: smartevents@ 

monacomarinamanagement.org 


37

EVENTS 

Plenty of industry issues and opportunities 

were explored during a vibrant conference 

programme. 

Marinas24: big 

turnout for new venue 

The Marinas24 International Conference and Trade Exhibition reaffirmed its 

place as one of the largest marina industry conferences in the world after 

welcoming 398 delegates across a two-day event at the Royal International 

Convention Centre (RICC) in Brisbane in May. 

Commenting on the new venue, 

Suzanne Davies, CEO of event 

organiser Marina Industries Association 

(MIA), said: “On the back of record 

attendance at Marinas22 on the Gold 

Coast two years ago, it was clear we 

had outgrown a hotel format for this 

event. The RICC was selected as it 

provided us with the flexibility to grow 

the exhibition and the conference while 

maintaining the intimacy of sole use 

of venue and, with the numbers that 

supported this event, it was the right 

decision.” 

The programme, which brought 

together a fantastic line-up of speakers, 

was opened by the Hon Michael Healy 

MP, Queensland Minister for Tourism 

Industry Development and a strong 

supporter of the industry. He highlighted 

the measures in place for future 

sector growth. An economic forecast 

and implications for the industry was 

delivered by Tapas Strickland, NAB 

director of economics, which set the 

scene for Andrew Chapman, MIA 

president, to present the latest Health 

of the Industry data and Suzanne 

Davies to discuss how the MIA will 

support industry growth and success. 

Plenty of industry issues and 

opportunities were explored in 

the concurrent sessions including 

insurance, legal implications, lithium, 

workforce challenges, alternative power 

sources, yield management and shared 

boat clubs. 

Conference highlights included 

discussions on the opportunities in the 

lead up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, 

and an exceptional keynote panel of 

experts from Dana Point California (Joe 

Ueberroth), Sanctuary Cove (Greg 

Shaw) and the green field site North 

Harbour (Bryan Finney) who shared 

their success in 

creating vibrant and 

profitable marina 

precincts. 

Plenty of time 

was allocated to 

enable delegates 

to visit the 60+ 

industry exhibitors 

Over 60 exhibitors 

showcased products 

and services. 

who showcased the latest products and 

services. 

Several highly relevant industry 

publications were also launched, 

including the 2023 Health of the 

Australian Marina Industry Report. As 

in past years, Michigan State University 

in the USA conducted the research 

and collected data from over 40% of 

Australia’s marinas. Findings revealed 

that, in accordance with government 

supplied models, these 291 marinas 

contribute over $2.4 billion to the 

Australian economy. 

The MIA also released its Climate 

Ready Guidance, a free member 

resource to help marina owners and 

operators transition to a low carbon 

economy and build resilience in terms 

of infrastructure and operations, and 

Nautilus Marine Insurance, supported 

by the MIA, launched its guidance 

material for marinas and boat owners 

on the Risks and Management of 

Lithium Batteries. 

As always, social events formed a 

major part of the delegate experience. 

A Welcome Reception on the forecourt 

of the RICC was held amongst 

impressive exhibits from some of the 

industry’s biggest players. A structured 

networking Happy Hour was held in the 

evening on Day 1 and the Bellingham 

Bar at the conference hotel was the 

social hub for everyone. The event 

closed with the Super Jetties Soirée, 

held at Howard Smith Wharves. 

The Marinas24 Study Tour took 

delegates to Brisbane’s biggest 

maintenance facilities, The Yard, 

Brisbane and Rivergate Marina 

and Shipyard before heading on to 

d’Albora Eastcoast Marina and Royal 

Queensland Yacht Squadron. 


ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES 

Electric boat charging via the UltraCharge 

pedestal (left) and the Quantum (below). 

Selecting the best 

charge points 

Rolec, renowned for being in the vanguard of design and manufacture of 

outdoor electrical equipment for over three decades, is best known in the marina 

sector for its huge range of bespoke power pedestals, sanitation and emergency 

services equipment. Complementing this is a range of EV charge products, also 

to be found in marinas, and, more recently, solutions for charging electric boats. 

The company shares some guidelines for marina operators. 

Electric charging systems for both car 

and boat have been subject to exciting 

new technology that has improved the 

overall user experience. High-powered 

fast DC chargers with the capacity to 

produce up to 360kW of power direct 

to a boat are now available. This, 

paired with advances in battery 

technology, has revolutionised 

the boating industry’s capacity to 

provide green transport. 

Charging options 

When an operator decides on a 

charging solution, it is important 

to understand the key differences 

between AC and DC charging. 

Notably, the main distinction 

between the two is charging 

speed. AC charging is, by nature, 

slower at filling batteries than DC 

charging. However, the decision 

on what to choose is more 

nuanced than just speed. 

AC charging, for example, 

is championed as the more 

battery-friendly option for electric 

boat charging due to its gentler 

approach to electrification. On average, 

an AC charger can take eight to ten 

hours to provide a full charge and, 

as such, is best suited for overnight 

charging or for boat owners who are 

setting out on the water less often or at a 

much slower pace. 

This charging system is also the 

more cost-effective option, both in 

terms of unit price and electrical 

usage. The electrical draw of an AC 

charger is significantly lower than its 

DC counterpart meaning that charging 

hardware doesn’t need to be as 

substantial, saving space and money. 

Additionally, overnight charging also 

allows the user to take advantage of 

favourable electricity tariffs, translating 

to an overall cost-saving. 

DC charging on the other hand is 

most recognisable for its rapid charge 

speeds. Comparatively, a DC charge 

point could provide an 80% charge in 

as little as 20 minutes, and an average 

of between 20 and 60 minutes. The 

benefits for boating rental agencies, 

larger vessels and more frequent users 

(such as water taxis) are clear – a 

reduction in boat downtime. Charge 

units are also fully configurable, 

upgradable and scalable to meet 

marina needs now and in the future. 

An AC charger is therefore sufficient 

for most electric boaters while keener 

skippers might opt for a combination of 

AC charging with ad hoc DC rapid topups 

as a great option. 

Think AC for need, and DC for speed. 

The right station 

After determining whether AC or DC 

charging is the right fit, other features 

need to be considered. These include 

durability, accessibility and aesthetics. 

For example, the unit needs to be 

able to withstand daily wear and tear 

at a waterside location where 

weather is unpredictable and 

traffic may be high. For this 

reason, it is important to look 

for units manufactured with 

more durable materials, like 

aluminium and steel, that are 

industry tested, and come 

with a generous warranty and 

maintenance policy. 

It is also important to consider 

how charging hardware will work 

within the marina network, both 

aesthetically and in relation to 

accessibility. Features, such as 

built-in LED amenity lighting 

for example, will not only fit 

the overall look and feel of the 

waterside location, but also 

provide a pivotal function in 

increasing unit visibility. 


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World-first vessel-to-grid project 

Charging up via the Aqua 75 at Hamble 

Point Marina, UK. 

Aqua superPower is spearheading a groundbreaking world-first initiative to 

develop a vessel-to-grid system. 

The Virtual Bunkering for Electric 

Vessels (VBEV) demonstration 

leverages the success of the earlier 

Clean Maritime Demonstration 

Competition 2 (CMDC2) feasibility study, 

showcasing how electric vessel batteries 

can provide energy storage and flexibility 

services to harbours, ports, and the grid 

when boats are not in use. 

Alex Bamberg, CEO of Aqua 

superPower explains: “Enhanced 

energy management will allow sites to 

better adapt to increasing demands on 

An Aqua 75 DC fast charge station. 

power from electrification of vessels, 

potentially reduce the grid connection 

where capacity is limited or costly 

and integrate more renewables. We 

are proud to lead this vital project that 

demonstrates Aqua superPower’s first 

class marine charging expertise and 

positions the UK as a vessel-to-grid 

technology pioneer.” 

The VBEV project will demonstrate 

the opportunity for bi-directional 

(V2X) infrastructure to utilise marine 

batteries to provide energy storage 

and management services to harbours, 

ports and the grid, minimising costly 

grid upgrades, reducing energy bills 

and increasing renewables integration. 

Two vessel OEMs, energy company 

EDF, the University of Plymouth, City 

College of Plymouth, the CENEX 

research centre and bi-directional 

software provider Fuuse form the project 

consortium, which is funded under 

the UK Shipping Office for Reducing 

Emissions (SHORE) programme and 

delivered via Innovate UK. 

The project introduces software 

upgrades, communication protocol 

adoption and innovative charge 

controllers into electric vessels. 

This integration enables seamless 

communication between batteries 

and bi-directional chargers, laying 

the foundation for a vessel-to-grid 

management platform. This platform 

empowers optimal charge and 

discharge scheduling, maximising 

energy efficiency. 

VBEV will test two pivotal scenarios: 

vessel-to-grid, exporting energy to 

the grid for flexibility and balancing 

services, and a behind-the-meter 

solution for enhanced on-site energy 

management. These scenarios cater to 

the diverse needs of ports, harbours, 

vessel operators and grid network 

operators. 

With the electric vessel industry 

on the rise, this initiative promises a 

scalable future with benefits ranging 

from improved battery health to 

reduced operational costs and revenue 

generation. VBEV will produce the 

first vessels capable of bi-directional 

power transfer, set a standard for 

other vessel manufacturers, develop a 

vessel-to-grid management platform, 

and provide world-leading research and 

development of a commercial product 

for customers. 

As the pioneer behind the initiative, 

the VBEV project positions the UK at 

the forefront of cutting-edge technology. 

Beyond technological innovation, 

this endeavour opens substantial 

opportunities for UK supply chains and 

export, putting the nation on the global 

map of maritime leadership. 

Dr Lee Durndell, lecturer in chemistry 

at the University of Plymouth, sums 

up: “This project is another important 

step in the UK’s transition to clean 

Fast charge demonstration at Ocean 

Village, UK. 

maritime technologies. There is clear 

appetite from both vessel and harbour 

owners to see the sector grow over the 

coming years, but technical questions 

remain that need to be answered. One 

of those is around battery performance 

and health and this project will begin 

addressing that, while aligning with the 

growing commercial interest in clean 

maritime and how it can be rolled out 

more widely.” 

The VBEV demonstration project is 

part of Clean Maritime Demonstration 

Competition Round 4 (CMDC4), 

funded by UK SHORE and delivered 

by Innovate UK. The UK SHORE 

programme is a £206 million initiative 

focused on developing the technology 

necessary to decarbonise the UK 

domestic maritime sector. 

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The Yacht Club de Monaco supports superyacht owners towards the energy transition: 

Superyacht Eco Association members can benefit from preferential rates on berths in the YCM Marina. 

SEA Index ® rated yachts with 3* and 4* stars are eligible. 

Fore more information: 

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Available online 

www.sea-index.com

European marinas advance 

ocean stewardship 

TransEurope Marinas has joined a 20-strong partnership to improve land-sea interface observation via the LandSeaLot 

project, an exciting four-year project to improve the observational capacity of the land-sea interface. 

Run in conjunction with 

universities, research institutions 

and international research 

infrastructures, LandSeaLot 

seeks to address the potential 

of the land-sea interface to 

increase biodiversity in coastal 

regions, whilst promoting carbon 

sequestration and climate 

resilience. 

A kick-off meeting hosted by 

Deltares in Delft, Netherlands in 

March comprised an intensive 

three-day workshop with encounter 

sessions, sensor trials and a 

guided tour of the impressive 

Deltares research and simulation 

facilities. Presentations from 

European agencies, European 

Commission representatives 

and policy officers stressed the 

high levels of expectation for the 

project’s outcomes, emphasising 

the importance of building upon the 

results of previous Horizon Europe 

projects, and detailing where 

efforts could contribute to current 

initiatives, such as the European 

Digital Twin of the Ocean. 

Project rationale 

The land-sea interface comprises a 

complex observational environment due 

to constant flux stemming from tides 

and currents, meteorological variability, 

changing morphology, the mix of 

freshwater and saline waters, and the 

presence of pollutants, amongst other 

factors. Despite significant research 

being carried out in this often densely 

populated domain, there are still 

notable gaps. Examples include where 

fine scale in situ monitoring can serve 

to both offset the limitations of satellite 

data and for validation and calibration. 

Further efforts are thus required 

to integrate the different observing 

communities and strengthen the 

observation capacity. Benefits of this 

work include the means to detect 

and track pollutants, monitor the flow 

of carbon, study impacts on local 

biodiversity and identify harmful 


algal blooms that could present a 

danger to watersports enthusiasts. 

Implementation is planned to take place 

across nine living labs, located in major 

estuaries across Europe. 

Best practices for data management 

have an important role in the project. 

Scientific research heavily relies on the 

FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, 

Interoperable and Reusable) to 

ensure the quality, transparency and 

reproducibility of research findings. 

Consequently, FAIR data exchange 

standards will be created to incorporate 

citizen science data. LandSeaLot 

will also progress towards semantic 

interoperability between the various 

streams and develop interoperability 

standards supporting the harmonisation 

between in situ and satellite 

observations and citizen science data. 

To become an open-access resource, 

data is then prepared for uptake 

into the European data aggregators 

EMODnet, for use by policymakers, 

researchers and businesses. 

TransEurope Marinas’ role 

Bridging land and sea, and hosting 

boaters, nautical tourism activities, 

residents and marine companies, 

TransEurope Marinas’ role in the 

project is related to citizen engagement 

as a component of a co-designed 

community strategy, together with in 

situ observations, remote sensing 

and computer modelling. Marina 

communities will receive guidance 

on the use of smart-value sensors 

and related resources to facilitate 

observations of different variables such 

as sea-level, salinity, temperature, pH, 

turbidity, etc. 

As marinas start to consider 

incorporating resilience-related 

practices, e.g. more climate-proof 

infrastructure and regional earlywarning 

systems, modelling that 


45


predicts sea-level rise or changes in 

weather patterns can help with decision 

making and planning for marina 

infrastructure upgrades. Equally, learning 

how a marina affects local dynamics, 

such as water quality, current patterns 

and sediment transport, can be used 

to improve marina design and reduce 

environmental impact. 

LandSeaLot project coordinator 

Jos Brils welcomed the inclusion of 

TransEurope Marinas: “Working with 

marinas is a novel experience for us, but 

as intrinsic land-sea interface hubs, their 

contribution is key to empowering citizen 

involvement and helping this project 

achieve the impact it deserves. We look 

forward to developing this work with 

TransEurope Marinas,” he said. 

Benefits for the wider 

industry 

The recreational boating industry is 

facing multiple transitional challenges 

related to sustainability, digitalisation, 

changing demographics and increased 

regulation. Actions are underway to 

SEA Index 

rolls out to 

French marinas 

The successful Superyacht Eco Association (SEA) Index, 

a benchmark to assess CO2 emissions for yachts of over 

25m (82ft) in length launched in 2020 by Yacht Club de 

Monaco (YCM), is being adopted by marinas on the French 

Côte d’Azur. 

Part of YCM’s collective 

‘Monaco, Capital of 

Advanced Yachting’ approach 

and recently awarded the 

Capernegies label, the 

SEA Index tool will now be 

taken well beyond Monaco 

and utilised in a triangle of 

15 harbours and marinas 

between Merton, Saint- 

Tropez and Bonifacio in 

Corsica that are home to 

some of the world’s biggest 

yachts. 

“The SEA Index has 

become an essential tool. 

And I would like us now to go 

even further by measuring 

start responding to matters such as 

the adoption of renewable energy or 

circular solutions for boat construction, 

but areas such as digital representation 

and climate resilience, for example, still 

require effective collective strategies. 

As identified in recent years, marinas 

could gain from becoming more 

societally relevant within their wider 

regional communities. This might 

include better environmental education 

programmes regarding nearby marine 

habitats and ecological preservation, 

advancing biosecurity initiatives, 

contributing to environmental science 

endeavours, and connecting with local 

community groups to further inclusivity 

and diversity initiatives. 

Preparatory work in LandSeaLot will 

also provide a closer understanding 

of regional sea conventions promoting 

responsible practices at sea (e.g. 

OSPAR, HELCOM) and environmental 

protection legislation such as the EU 

Marine Strategy Framework Directive 

and Water Framework Directive. 

Joe Lynch, CEO of the International 

other greenhouse gas 

emissions and noise pollution 

which is a major concern,” 

said HSH Prince Albert II, 40- 

year president of YCM. 

The announcement 

reflects the commitment of 

multiple marinas to increased 

sustainability and, as YCM 

general secretary Bernard 

d’Alessandri noted, “marks 

the recognition of the work 

accomplished by the SEA 

Index since its launch.” 

“Our aim is to federate 

harbours and marinas across 

the Mediterranean and 

beyond by creating a network 

of committed territories,” he 

added. 

This specific deployment 

of the rating system is an 

opportunity to respond to 

growth in yachting in the Sud 

region, which attracts over 

half the world’s fleet of 30m+ 

(98ft+) yachts. According 

to a study by Earthcase, 

instigated by the Regional 

Tourism Committee, the 

yachting sector in the Sud 

Council of Marine Industry 

Associations (ICOMIA), commented: 

“As the global boating industry works 

towards becoming more sustainable, 

collaboration and joint research 

initiatives with groups such as the 

oceanographic science community 

can only serve to better prepare 

us to future-proof the industry. We 

commend TransEurope Marinas for 

its role in LandseaLot and look forward 

to supporting the project, as well as 

sharing the outcomes with our global 

membership.” 

From gaining a strategic 

understanding of data management 

practices to more familiarity with the 

coastal ocean governance ecosystem, 

the learning opportunities in this project 

are profound and TransEurope Marinas’ 

role will enable a flow of insights back 

to the industry – together with the 

generation of educational tools and 

resources for boaters and other marina 

visitors. 

For more information visit the project 

website: landsealot.eu 

Yacht Club de Monaco launched 

SEA Index in 2020. 

region has an impact on the 

economy of €1.1 billion and 

10,200 jobs. 

With this certification and 

its index, these harbours 

and marinas will be able to 

allocate berths, particularly 

in high season, to boats 

with the least environmental 

impact. 


MARTINI MARINAS FLOATING PONTOONS 

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Scottish marina offers 

development opportunities 

A profitable marina and holiday business with access to the stunning island network off the west coast of Scotland has 

come to market with further development opportunities. 

Craobh (pronounced Croove) Marina, 

which sits within a natural harbour 

on the north shore of the Craignish 

peninsula in Argyll, includes 200 fullservice 

berths, a facilities building, car 

park, boatyard, workshops, six holiday 

cottages, a three-bedroom house and a 

staff flat. 

The estate comprises over 125 acres 

(50.6 ha) of freehold land and 44 acres 

(18 ha) of water/harbour bed, which is 

leased from the Crown Estate. Around 

BUYING & SELLING MARINAS 

15.6 acres (6.3 ha) of the land has been 

allocated for mixed-use development 

in line with the Argyll and Bute Local 

Development Plan adopted in February 

2024. 

Craobh Marina was developed in 

the early 1980s by linking a group of 

islands together using a system of stone 

causeways to create a sheltered position 

that is accessible at all states of the tide. 

The pontoons are secured by chains 

and anchors in a deep-water harbour. 

The marina was sold in 1993 to 

privately-owned Holt Leisure Group and 

the business has recently been removed 

from the group’s other marina and 

leisure businesses and established as 

Craobh Marina Ltd in preparation for a 

shareholder retirement sale. 

Enquiries to Colin Crosthwaite: 

marinas@crosthwaites.com 

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SETTING 

THE STANDARD 

IN PREMIUM 

MARINAS 

www.marinaworld.com Untitled-1 1 – July/August 2024 

03/07/2024 18:20 49

Mega Tango by 

Mega Tango by


Jon 

Patrick 

Avoid the pitfalls, 

spot the trends 

Selling a marina business is complex and often involves many unknowns, 

particularly for a first-time seller who may be unaware of the common pitfalls 

that can disrupt a sale, says Jon Patrick, director – head of leisure and 

development at UK-based Christie & Co. He talks to Marina World about these 

common problems, market trends, and the sales process. 

Issues that delay the process are 

often uncovered as a result of due 

diligence undertaken by the buyer, 

banks and surveyors, and it is in 

any seller’s best interests to be well 

prepared in advance. Patrick cites the 

following as key things to watch for: 

• Dredging – if dredging is relevant 

to the site, the seller must be able to 

demonstrate a regular programme and 

its associated costs. 

• Bathymetric surveys (mapping 

the depths and shapes of underwater 

terrain) – experienced marina buyers 

will expect to see these and, in general, 

it is better for owners to have their own 

survey and thus be on the front foot in 

terms of questions they may receive. 

• Pontoons and walkways – are they 

in good condition and Health, Safety 

and Security (HSS) compliant? 

• Electricity and hook-up supplies – 

age, condition and supply details. 

• Harbour walls and lock gates – 

need to be in a good state of repair. 

Documentary evidence of regular 

checks and maintenance is helpful. 

• Other surveys – subject to cost, it 

can be worthwhile to invest in structural 

pier and land contamination surveys 

and take any necessary remedial 

action. 

• Third party leases – concessions 

are a valuable part of many marina 

operations and need to be accurate 

and up to date. Any outstanding rent 

reviews need to be addressed. 

• Sea bed leases – all documentation 

should be in 

place with 

the relevant 

crown estate 

or local 

authority. 

• Trading information – have at 

least three years’ certified profit and 

loss accounts available, together with 

management accounts. 

• Mooring and berthing data – ensure 

all fee information is up to date and in 

a format that shows the performance 

of the business over a three-year 

period. Information regarding charges 

per metre, seasonal variations and 

available space is key. 

• Staff – create an anonymised 

schedule of full and part-time staff 

including roles, start dates, number of 

hours and rate of pay. 

What should you avoid doing? “The 

key to preparing any business for sale 

is ensure that you don’t stop running 

it as though you’re going to be doing 

so for the next few years,” Patrick 

emphasises. “In other words, don’t stop 

any required investment. If you need to 

make staff hires do so, and ensure that 

all and any H&S issues are addressed. 

It should be business as usual.” 

Q: What are the trends in the UK for 

buying/selling marinas? 

A: The continuing trend in terms of 

the transactional market for marinas 

is that only a very small percentage of 

marinas might change hands in any 

one year. This appears to be a similar 

trend elsewhere, with the US reporting 

78 transactions in 2023 in a significantly 

larger market (10,445 marinas) and 

Christie & Co has recently negotiated 

the sale of Alba Sailing (above) and Port 

Dinorwic Marina (right). 


51


A rare opportunity to purchase a mooring licence on the 

Thames at Blackfriars in central London was marketed by 

Christie & Co in 2021. The sale included permission to 

build an 80m (262ft) long floating pontoon. 

a 16-year average of only 65 marina 

sales per annum. 

Compared to previous years, we 

have seen greater activity in the 

sector. There are a variety of reasons 

potentially driving this. We have things 

like retirement (marinas often stay in 

the same hands/family for many years) 

and succession planning can be a 

challenge, particularly where the next 

generation may have moved away for 

education/work purposes. 

Business and partnership splits can 

also influence a decision to sell being 

made, but we’ve also seen an increase 

in financial distress as a result of the 

significant increase in interest rates and 

associated costs of capital that owners 

with higher levels of gearing have had 

to accommodate. 

The opportunities we’ve handled 

have I believe created further market 

awareness, not just from within the 

industry, but also from investors. 

We’ve had a number of approaches 

from the private equity community 

keen to understand the industry and 

what it may offer from a scale and 

development perspective. 

Q: Are buyers more likely 

to be groups or private 

individuals? 

A: In terms of what we’ve 

experienced from the 

processes we’ve run, the 

potential buyers are very 

varied. Not surprisingly, 

when compared to 

the other operational 

real estate sectors we 

specialise in, the distance 

potential buyers travel 

to look at marinas is far 

greater. 

The closest sector in 

terms of business model 

we see to the marina 

market is the holiday and 

caravan park market – 

think pitch fees v berthing 

fees and caravan sales v 

boat sales etc. As a result, 

some transactions have 

seen 25-30% of viewings 

come from caravan/holiday 

park owners and this is a 

trend we see continuing. 

I would say that a typical 

sale can attract interest 

from individual owner/ 

operators, group operators, 

high net worth individuals 

and investors with a keen 

interest in boating, along 

with other leisure business owners 

looking at acquiring opportunities that 

could be bolted on to their existing 

operation, particularly where marinas 

may be operated under management. 

Q: Is there interest from overseas? 

A: Yes. We had interest in Port Dinorwic 

from corporate operators in France and 

Greece, whilst one of our early calls on 

Broom Boats was from Australia. With 

the assistance of our marketing team, 

we do have the benefit of both UK and 

international outreach – very different 

to when I started out advising business 

owners! 

Q: How realistic are sellers when it 

comes to asking price? Is there a 

guideline calculation that potential 

sellers can use? 

A: There will always be industry 

standard methods that can be utilised 

to help inform the appropriate price or 

value of a business but ultimately the 

market will decide what any business 

is worth. We would recommend against 

placing unrealistic expectations on 

price as this is invariably an impediment 

to generating interest and by definition, 

market competition. This is simply solid 

sales and marketing advice based on 

thousands of transactions we oversee, 

whether for individual or portfolio deals. 

Q: How long does the sale process 

generally take? 

A: Always one of the questions we 

get asked for certain and never one 

to which we can provide a definitive 

answer. It also depends on whether 

a process is being conducted on an 

open market or confidential basis. Open 

marketing has a more direct route to 

potential buyers so tends to be slightly 

quicker, plus it tends to deliver around 

25-30% more viewings and more bids, 

too. That’s a big generalisation, of 

course, but over the many transactions 

we conduct it’s a very good overview. 

In terms of timescales, we would 

expect to have a good idea of the 

direction of travel following launching a 

business to market in the first six to ten 

weeks. 

Over the last 18 months, the average 

time taken from agreeing a sale and 

instructing solicitors has been around 

six months so it’s fair to say that a 

typical process is around nine months. 

Q: Aside from ensuring that all is in 

order, what extras can a seller add, if 

possible, to raise the value or make a 

sale more appealing? 

A: The key in almost all situations is to 

ensure you have good quality and up to 

date financial trading information going 

back over at least three years, but 

ideally pre-pandemic so that 2019 is 

shown as a “normal” year. Showing the 

best level of net profit and/or being able 

to demonstrate where and why certain 

costs in the accounts are non-recurring 

and could justifiably be added back to 

the bottom line underpin value. 

In addition, there should ideally 

be definable opportunities for an 

incoming owner to be able to add value. 

These could be by improving existing 

efficiencies or increasing occupancy 

for example and thereby increasing 

profitability. 

Opportunities that require additional 

financial investment are also key 

so things like opportunities to add 

drystack facilities, holiday/residential 

accommodation, additional service 

lines such as boat brokerage or 

amenities such as a club house/ 

café/restaurant are more long term, 

but provide a helpful addition to the 

marketing of a business. 


To be seen in the world of marinas, 

you need to be seen in Marina World … 

Contact Julia Hallam +44 (0)1621 855 890 

juliahallam@marinaworld.co.uk

WIGGINS 

MARINA 

BULL 

CUSTOM DESIGN 

BUILT TO LAST 

EASY MAINTENANCE 

+1 (805) 485-7821 wigginslift@wigginslift.com 

www.wigginslift.com 

We are building our global marine fast charge network, creating local and 

regional charging hubs and corridors. 

If you are looking to offer electric boat supercharging to future-proof 

 

technology at no cost to you, providing 24/7 customer care and all 

compatibility testing. 

enquiries@aqua-superpower.com 

www.aqua-superpower.com 

Untitled-3 1 19/06/2024 20:18

SMART TECHNOLOGY 

How technology 

paves the way for a 

smarter marina 

In today’s digital landscape, technology is reshaping how businesses function, 

and the marina industry certainly isn’t excluded from that. In fact, marina 

owners find themselves benefiting significantly from the move from pen 

and paper to cloud-based digital solutions. Brent Wierson discusses how 

Molo software solutions can enhance marina space management, optimise 

service and repair, boost customer satisfaction, and drive revenue growth for 

businesses. 

With the integration of advanced 

management tools, such as real-time 

fuel pump controls and streamlined 

payment systems, marinas can 

transition from traditional methods to 

efficient, customer-focused 

operations. By leveraging these 

innovations, they can optimise 

efficiency, increase profits 

and offer exceptional services 

tailored to modern boaters’ 

needs. 

Streamlining 

operations 

Molo’s robust software 

facilitates efficient management 

of slips, mooring and drystack 

storage, allowing for systematic 

schedule and tracking of all 

vessels. Features like transient 

slip bookings and recurring 

storage optimisation ensure 

marinas maximise space usage 

and revenue, thus reducing wait 

times and improving service 

reliability for customers and 

businesses alike. 

Using technology to enhance fuel 

pump management delivers additional 

opportunities to optimise profits. Use 

with fuel technologies, like FuelCloud, 

introduces powerful real-time pump 

integration. For example, fuel sales are 

imported into Molo with a single click, 

drastically reducing manual data entry 

and associated errors. Additionally, 

monitoring pump activity by individual 

staff members ensures accountability 

and operational transparency. 

Advancing service 

management and repair 

Software can also be used to organise 

estimates, work orders, technician 

labour tracking and inventory into one 

system creating a much more informed 

shop. Whether a prior estimate is being 

copied by pulling up job templates, or 

the job is being started from scratch, 

the software supports a wide array of 

workflows. Private notes and unlimited 

attached files can also be included. 

Work orders are paired with a 

powerful service calendar to schedule 

technician time, travel lifts, and more. 

The calendar can even support linked 

appointments for launches, hauls and 

job due dates. Tracking actual and 

billable hours for multiple technicians 

is simplified via the mobile or desktop 

option. The software also allows 

inventory to be tracked at multiple 

locations at once to easily manage 

stock and parts on hand. 

Enhancing customer 

experience 

Technology significantly improves 

customer interactions by speeding 

up and simplifying processes. Molo’s 

real-time fuel pump integration enables 

quick and secure refuelling with 

contactless payments via smartphones, 

tablets or POS systems, making 

for a streamlined experience 

which enhances customer 

satisfaction, fostering loyalty and 

repeat business. 

Additionally, the mobile 

nature of the software allows 

for flexibility and quicker 

transactions between marina 

staff and customers. The 

technology even streamlines 

and eliminates awkward 

traditional tipping when 

fuelling or with other dockhand 

related activities by offering 

customisable tipping options 

with either percentages or fixed 

amounts. This modernised 

tipping process enhances 

convenience and satisfaction for 

both customers and staff. 


55

SMART TECHNOLOGY 

Optimising revenue and 

payments 

Molo’s seamless integration with 

major accounting systems such as 

QuickBooks and Xero enhances 

financial management. The software 

manages accounts receivable, payment 

processing, invoicing and inventory 

with ease. Automated invoicing for 

storage and memberships ensures 

timely revenue collection, while 

credit card and ACH payment 

options provide flexible payment 

solutions, improving cash flow. 

The software allows the user to 

easily create recurring charges for 

dockage, storage, add-ons and fees. 

Together with automatic charging, 

recurring revenue can be put on 

autopilot. Invoicing becomes more 

flexible and accurate by offering 

support for monthly, quarterly, and 

even custom instalments. Invoice line 

items can also be configured per hour, 

per foot of LOA, per square foot, per 

cent, and more. 

Data-driven decision 

making 

Advanced software solutions enable 

data collection and analysis, a 

significant advantage for marina 

operations who want to manage 

and continue to grow their business. 

Molo’s system offers insights into 

various operational aspects, helping 

managers make informed decisions. 

This data-driven strategy aids in 

identifying trends, optimising resources 

and improving overall business 

performance. 

Integrating technology into marina 

management leads to smarter, 

more efficient and customer-friendly 

operations. Molo’s marina management 

software showcases the transformative 

potential of technology, helping marinas 

streamline tasks, enhance customer 

experiences, boost revenue, and make 

informed decisions. By adopting these 

technological advancements, marinas 

can remain competitive and flourish in 

today’s digital world. 



Represented in over 40 countries 

www.flovac.es 

Taking the 

Green approach 

to the Blackwater 

problem 

Vacuum sewerage systems are ideal for use in marinas 

and ports of any size. 

The Flovac system can capture sewage and bilge water 

from boats and all facilities around the marina complex. 

No electrical power required at dockside 

Validates MARPOL certification 

No risk of water contamination 

Suitable for boats and docks of any size 

Discreet, small diameter pipework 

Ease of installation 

No odour 

Manage your marina anywhere, any time 

in the cloud 

MarinaPay PacSoftNG Cloud 

Customer Portal Booking Portal 

www.pacsoftmms.com

The widest docks in Spain 

An 8m (26ft) wide floating concrete dock (right), manufactured and installed by Ronautica Marinas, is now in use by the 

Port Authority of Málaga on the Guadalmedina River. 

The dock, which is claimed to be the 

widest in Spain, now gives the port 160m 

(520ft) of berth space for fishing boats. 

The docks comprise modules measuring 

20m (66ft) in length and 4m (13ft) wide, 

joined together in pairs and anchored to 

the riverbed by piles to depths of up to 20m 

(66ft). 

The structure is equipped with all 

necessary piping and cabling for water, 

electricity and fuel services, and is 

connected to the riverbank by a special 4m 

(13ft) wide aluminium gangway designed 

and manufactured to withstand live loads up 

to 500kg/m². 

The modules were precast in Ronautica’s 

yard to ensure quality standards and 

transported by road to the site where they 

were assembled by a Ronautica team. 

Aquática Ingeniería was responsible for the 

design and structural calculations within the 

framework of a long-standing collaboration 

with Ronautica on joint R&D projects. 

www.ronautica.com 

PRODUCTS & SERVICES 

The choice of professionals 

www.roodberg.com 

The Original 


59


UK Service & Repairs for Boat Handling Equipment 

THE BIGGEST FLOATING PONTOON 

MANUFACTURER IN ASIA 

• Proven knowledge & experience of yard liing 

equipment across the main manufacturers within the 

industry. From 25-320T straddle carriers to 15-300T 

self-propelled boat movers and static cranes to 

hydraulic trailers and dry stack forklis. 

• Approved service agent and parts distributor for: 

• Specialists in Wise boat handling products. 

www.livartmarine.net 

02382 180 163 • service@mppengineering.co.uk 

www.mppengineering.co.uk 

livart@livartmarine.net

New hoist completes cat haul-out facility 

In order to capture the business of maintaining and storing catamarans, Jolly Harbour Marina & Boatyard in Antigua & 

Barbuda has built a new haul-out facility and purchased an 85BFMII (85 tonne capacity) boat hoist from Marine Travelift. 

The new machine joins a 75-tonne Marine Travelift machine that has been in use since 2015. 

Jolly Harbour general manager, 

Jo Lucas, confirms that planning 

for the new haul-out began in 

2023 in response to the rapidly 

growing market for catamarans. 

“The recently purchased boat 

hoist was also part of the plan,” 

she says, “and Marine Travelift 

was chosen due to an already 

established relationship with great 

results.” 

The 85BFMII has been 

customised with extra width 

to accommodate beams up to 

34ft (10m) and a sailboat top 

beam extension incorporated 

to efficiently handle sail boats 

without removing masts. 

Additional customisations include 

LED lights, wireless remote 

control and a jib crane. 

The 12 lights significantly 

improve visibility, especially at 

night, and the remote control gives 

an operator all-round visibility 

without the need for multiple 

spotters. The crane has a 2,500lb 

(1,100kg) capacity and can be 

used for maintenance and service 

work removing masts or pulling 

engines etc. 

In addition to the new hoist, 

the marina has a Marine Travelift 

TM40 transporter with catamaran 

boat pads on order and due for 

delivery in September. 

Jolly Harbour Marina & 

Boatyard was built in 1992 and 

has consistently grown in size. 

Over the years, it has changed 

ownership twice, in 2010 

and 2021, but has remained 

committed to a top priority of 

offering excellent customer 

service. 

www.marinetravelift.com 


If it’s on water 

 

Cascais, PORTUGAL 

+351 214 692 024 

Barcelona, SPAIN 

+34 933 601 101 

Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL 

+55 21 3942 8828 

Vigo, SPAIN 

+34 986 906 770 

w w w . l i n d l e y . p t 



61


Index to Advertisers 

ASAR, USA 23 

Aqua superPower, UK 54 

Bellingham Marine, USA 7 & 63 

Bluet, Finland 30 

Bluewater Marine & Dock, USA 58 

CJ Plast, France 54 

Capria, Argentina 20 

Conolift by 

Kropf Industrial, Canada 44 

Crosthwaites, UK 50 

D-Marin, Greece 27 

Eagle Floats by 

Hendren Plastics, USA 57 

Edgewater Resources, USA 50 

F3 Marina, USA 49 

Flovac, Spain 58 

Forklift Exchange, USA 14 

Gigieffe, Italy 48 

Golden Manufacturing, USA 12 

IBEX, USA 39 

Ingemar, Italy 10 

Inmare, Italy 31 

Lindley, Portugal 61 

Livart, China 60 

MPP Engineering, UK 60 

Mack David Buildings, USA 18 

Marex, Croatia 50 

Marina Master by 

IRM, Slovenia 30 

Marina Projects, UK 64 

MARINAGo by 

Scribble Software, USA 47 

Marine Travelift, USA 43 

Marinetek, Finland 4 

Martini Marinas, Italy 48 

METSTRADE, Netherlands 41 

Molo Marina Management/Stellar 

Systems, USA 60 

Pacsoft, New Zealand 58 

PierPump by 

Vogelsang, Germany 8 

Rolec, UK 35 

Ronautica, Spain 22 

Roodberg - a brand of Frisian 

Industries, Netherlands 59 

SEA Index, Monaco 44 

SF Marina System, Sweden 2 

Seaflex, Sweden 6 

Seijsener, Netherlands 36 

Superior Group, Australia 19 

Twinwood by CJ Plast, Portugal 56 

WISE Handling, UK 36 

Walcon Marine, UK 26 

Wiggins Lift Co, USA 54 

Barefoot-safe decking options 

US decking specialist Strongwell has introduced a ‘barefoot safe’ grit option 

for both its pultruded and moulded grating products. 

The option is available for Duragrate 

moulded grating with mesh patterns of 

3/4in x 4in (19mm x 102mm), and 3/4in 

x 3/4in (19mm x 19mm) Mini Mesh in 

4ft x 12ft (122cm x 366cm) panel size. 

Both meet all ADA requirements for 

mesh size and slip resistance. 

The panels can be efficiently cut 

on site to minimise waste, and the 

system features load bearing bars in 

both directions to allow for use without 

continuous side support. 

Duragrate weighs significantly less 

than metal gratings, and its high resin 

content provides excellent corrosion 

resistance and requires very little 

maintenance. 

The Duragrid pultruded grating 

alternative is a customised system 

designed for applications not suitable 

for standard glass fibre grating. It is 

available in thicknesses of 1in to 2 1/2in 

(25.4mm to 63.5mm), with open space 

up to 90%. Other options include: bar 

shape; cross-rod placement; custom 

fabrication; custom resin; and colour. 

www.strongwell.com/grating 

Waste clearance on the seabed 

Marina Port de Mallorca in Spain has become the first marina to test out 

Turbino, a new underwater vacuum system developed by Recyclamer. 

The Recyclamer Association 11m 

(36ft) vessel ‘Red Snapper’ moored 

up in the marina so as to collect water 

samples at various points in the port of 

Palma. The collected samples passed 

through the Geneseas robot, which 

detects floating waste, and tests were 

then carried out with Turbino, a system 

that trawls the seabed vacuuming up 

plastics. 

The marina has been partnering with 

the initiative since May 2023 and set 

aside a berth as an operational base. 

Along with its sister facility Marina Ibiza 

(both part of the IPM-IMG Group), 

Marina Port de Mallorca purchased a 

Geneseas robot and has been using it 

to collect waste and data. 

The marina robot crosses the water 

surface collecting waste, microplastics 

and hydrocarbons. It has a real-time 

control and monitoring system for water 

quality, monitoring parameters such 

as pH, temperature, conductivity and 

dissolved oxygen etc. 

Using Turbino in tandem to work on 

the actual seabed should significantly 

reduce levels of waste in the water, 

most specifically plastics. 

www.recyclamer-innovation.com 


SETTING THE WORLD 

STANDARD IN MARINA DESIGN 

CONCEPT DESIGN & MARINA MASTER PLANNING 

FEASIBILITY STUDIES & MARKET RESEARCH 

BUSINESS PLANNING 

MARINA & WATERFRONT DESIGN 

TENDER AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT 

MARINA OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT 

ENVIRONMENTAL & LEGISLATIVE ADVICE 

PROPERTY CONSULTANCY SERVICES 

GLOBAL WATERFRONT & MARINA DEVELOPMENT 

CONSULTANCY AT ITS BEST 

www.marinaprojects.com

2024 July/August Marina World

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