Get Superyacht Ready - the MIA's new accreditation
by Marina Industries Association 11 Dec 2022 08:53 AEDT
Birkenhead Point Marina © Paul McMillan
The Marina Industries Association (MIA) announces the launch of its much-anticipated Superyacht Ready accreditation, which is designed to help skippers and owners identify marinas that have the capacity and capabilities required to provide safe and adequate berthing for superyachts.
Superyacht Ready is available to Global Gold Anchor accredited marinas that satisfy the program's assessment standards. The Superyacht Ready criteria is based around the suitability of the marina's infrastructure to accommodate superyachts, accessibility for superyachts, security measures and service availability.
Suzanne Davies, MIA CEO explains that the two accreditations are designed to work together: "Superyachts berth at marinas for varying reasons and duration. The style, location and facilities required at the marina will vary depending on the reason for berthing and who is on board, owners, charterers or simply the crew.
"Superyacht Ready indicates that the marina is equipped to provide berthing for a superyacht and the Gold Anchor rating will give an insight into the extent of the facilities available at the marina, the service levels and the overall ambiance and opulence that one can expect."
It is expected that premium marinas such as Gold Anchor Platinum marinas, Coral Sea Marina Resort and Sanctuary Cove Marina will elect to accredit as Superyacht Ready. But not all superyacht marinas need to have the facilities such as these due to their location and the amenities around them.
Jones Bay Marina for example, is a highly regarded superyacht marina and is superbly located on Sydney Harbour, with access to all that an international city, such as Sydney, has to offer. In preparation for its Superyacht Ready accreditation, it is undertaking its Gold Anchor accreditation.
Nairn Johnston, General Manager of Jones Bay Marina commented, "We are very supportive of this accreditation and believe it will be a great service to skippers and to the broader industry in the Pacific region in helping to promote the region and marinas to superyacht skippers and owners."
Superyacht Ready will be supported by the MIA's My Marina Guide, a map-based, online marine services directory, that will enable captains to identify Superyacht Ready marinas based on their needs at a specific time and delve further into a marina's facilities and offerings.
David Good, CEO Superyacht Australia commented, "With the growth in popularity of the Asia Pacific region with superyacht owners, the Superyacht Ready accreditation will assist captains to identify marinas with the most appropriate facilities for their vessel. Superyacht Australia has consulted with the MIA on the criteria and commend this initiative and the extension of its Gold Anchor accreditation."
All Gold Anchor accredited marinas are invited to apply to accredit immediately. For marinas that would like to become Superyacht Ready, the self-assessed Gold Anchor accreditation is the simplest and quickest way to join the program. The accreditation process involves the marina conducting a self-assessment against the Superyacht Ready criteria, as well as making a declaration regarding their compliance and payment of the three-year participation fee. An oversight committee will review all applications prior to the accreditation being awarded.