Five marinas in Asia Pacific and two in Europe accredited under global scheme

Seven marinas, including two in Europe and five in Asia Pacific, have been successfully assessed and granted the 5 Gold Anchors Platinum Award under the joint global scheme run by the UK’s TYHA (The Yacht Harbours Association) and Australia’s MIA (Marina Industry Association).

A number still have to be officially announced, but both the MIA and THYA have confirmed to IBI that this is the current position. Those still to be officially announced include a second one in Europe and three others in Asia-Pacific, including one in Australia and one in China. It is understood that the second European one will be announced at the ICOMIA World Marinas Conference being held in Athens next week.

The most recent marina to be announced is Birkenhead Point Marina, the first marina within Sydney Harbour to achieve Platinum status. The 201-berth marina can accommodate yachts of 8m-45m (26ft-148ft) and only opened in July. It is a full-service facility that offers a fuelling service, a five-star club lounge, world-class suites, and integrated kitchen. As a destination marina, it is also conveniently adjacent to the top-flight retail precinct at Birkenhead Point.

Philip McGowen, Birkenhead Point’s marina manager, commented: “Opening in July and receiving such a prestigious award is an amazing achievement. It serves as a massive reward for all of our hard work, and we’re all so excited to be included in such a small and exclusive world group. Birkenhead Point Marina is truly unique with no through marine traffic, its close proximity to the CBD, as well as having Birkenhead Point Outlet right on the doorstep.”

Andrew Chapman, MIA chairman, said: “On behalf of the MIA and our Global Gold Anchor partner The Yacht Harbour Association, we congratulate the team at Birkenhead Point Marina. This is the highest standard that can be awarded for marina service, standards and facilities and we welcome you to the elite group of trusted high-level marinas around the world.”

Birkenhead Point Marina is the second in Australia to gain the platinum status after Empire Bobbin Marina received it earlier this year. A third Australian marina, Soldier’s Point, has also achieved the status and will receive the plaque that goes with the award shortly. The second marina in China, Nansha Marina, has also secured the platinum award and follows Sanya Serentiy Marina which was the second marina in the world to gain the status, with the first being Porto Montenegro in Montenegro.

The second European marina will be announced next week.

To gain Platinum status, a marina has to score 95% after a tough assessment process that includes direct feedback from a sample of berth holders. The platinum status also comes with a significant responsibility as a leading global marina to ensure that a high-level of performance is maintained and there is an ongoing commitment to continual improvement.

Further to the above, it has been learned that Hamilton Island Marina has been awarded 5 Gold Anchor accreditation. The high-profile resort located within the Queensland Whitsunday Islands is a hub for boating enthusiasts, with Hamilton Island Race Week now established as an iconic yachting event.

By David Robinson

Source: https://plus.ibinews.com/article/krdK5KmfVPU/2018/10/23/seven_marinas_awarded_5_gold_anchors_platinum_status/