Voting in the best for 2023

Every year brings a huge bevy of industry and general business awards for many aspects of marina and yard operations, such as sustainability, entrepreneurial spirit, commitment and performance. While the majority are national or regional, a handful while focusing most strongly on their own market, also seek to honour and reward marinas at an international level.

Examples for 2023 include the Nautilus Marine Insurance Marina of the Year Awards, facilitated by Australia-based Marina Industries Association (MIA); The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA) Marina Awards run by TYHA, UK and sponsored by Haven Knox-Johnston; and the Sustainable Smart Marina Awards as part of the Monaco Sustainable & Smart Marina Rendezvous.
Nautilus Marina of the Year
Referring to the 2023 awards as “another incredibly successful industry celebration,” MIA president Andrew Chapman CMM said that record entries in many categories had been received. The awards were presented in May at a gala dinner event at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Darling Point, New South Wales.

Marina of the Year (over 140 boats) was awarded to Sanctuary Cove Marina. General manager, Steve Sammes, collected the award and commented on owner Mulpha’s brave $10 million investment in providing Australia’s first undercover berthing for recreational boaters. Marina Mirage, a recently redeveloped facility on the Gold Coast, won Marina of the Year (under 140 boats). The boutique marina is managed by GC Marine on behalf of the asset owner Makris Group.
The highly competitive Club of the Year award went to Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (RQ). Karen Baldwin, RQ CEO, received the award, commenting “I am so excited about what is ahead for this club, I see so much more potential, opportunity and growth.”
For the second year in a row, the International Marina of the Year Award was received by One15 Marina Sentosa Cove. Marina director, James Roy, and general manager, Jonathan Sit, flew in from Singapore to accept the award.
Sydney Harbour Boat Storage at White Bay Marine Park also scored a second consecutive win as Best Dry Boat Storage. Lorraine Yates, MIA director and general manager of White Bay Marine Park, commented: “Industry recognition is so important and we are grateful for awards such as these. We have a beautiful facility in a stunning location and I am privileged that the owners entrust us to run it for them. We talk every day about safety, quality and customer service, and this is the result.”
The Yard Brisbane secured Boatyard of the Year (over 20 boats) and the hotly contested Boatyard of the Year (under 20 boats) award went to Nicky Vaux and her team at Empire Marina Bobbin Head.
TYHA Marina of the Year
The Yacht Harbour Association Marina Awards, presented at the UK’s Southampton Boat Show in September, attracted strong representation from many of the 200 plus Gold Anchor accredited marinas around the world that were eligible to win the 2023 accolades.
TYHA general manager, Jon White, commented: “These awards are voted for by berth holders and celebrate the very best marinas both in the UK and overseas and provide a perfect opportunity to recognise those marinas that go above and beyond, offering outstanding quality and service to their berth holders and visitors.”
The winning marinas were:
• Royal Quays Marina (UK Coastal Marina of the Year – over 250 berths)
• Emsworth Yacht Harbour (UK Coastal Marina of the Year – under 250 berths)
• Campbell Wharf Marina (UK Inland Marina of the Year)
• Marina de Vilamoura, Portugal (International Marina of the Year)
• Yalikavak Marina, Turkey (Superyacht Marina of the Year)
• Haslar Marina, UK (Sustainability Award)
• Porto Montenegro, Montenegro (Marina Team of the Year)
Sustainable Smart Marina
Karpaz Gate Marina in North Cyprus and Limassol Marina in the Republic of Cyprus were joint winners of the International Smart & Sustainable Marina Award at September’s Monaco Sustainable & Smart Marina Rendezvous. The event, which attracted over 250 participants, was organised by M3 (Monaco Marina Management).
The awards were presented in recognition of sustainable and innovative practices, actions and initiatives for driving positive change.
Karpaz Gate Marina managing director, Liza Singer, commented: “We saw a high level of competition here with very competent marinas and are very proud to have won. We inaugurated our marina 11 years ago and it was developed straight away as a sustainable and smart marina as it is in a remote undeveloped area that is not politically recognised. The aim was to introduce the boating community to a new destination.”
Tom Lord, managing director of Limassol Marina, said: “We are very happy to win this award. As we built this project from a blank canvas, we were able to incorporate the latest technologies and best practices. In terms of operations, we continue to invest in new technologies to show what can be done in marinas in sustainability terms.”