MARINAWORLD@20 Shipshape
MARINAWORLD@20 Shipshape for superyachts Forward thinking marina operators have been increasingly keen to cater to the trend towards bigger boats and, over the past 20 years, adding berths for very large vessels became a goal for many. While the focus started strongly in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and parts of Southeast Asia were eager to help boost a third cruising ground – with impressive results. into a provisioning office/concierge that serves to meet the non-nautical needs of the guest – from tours to towels, from rental cars to Internet tele-conferencing.” Tracey Prows, dockmaster. Update to 2020: Port Antonio now has a gigadock for alongside mooring up to 600ft/183m. Here are some ‘superyacht marina’ highlights; more will be covered in our special marina newbuild feature in September/October. The first major new superyacht • facility to be highlighted in Marina World was Sunrise Harbor Marina in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, designed to accommodate transient megayachts as well as serve the local market. Up to 25 vessels moored up at 438ft (133.5m) of concrete dock built by Bellingham Marine. Plenty of onsite amenities, heavy-duty power outlets and top notch security were the order of the day. “It’s so difficult to build anything now in Florida [November 2001] – you can’t build new and often you can’t retrofit – so once planning’s obtained you have to strike the right formula.” Carl Straw, developer Professional Marine Associates. For stunning location, it’s hard to • beat The Marina at Port Antonio (Errol Flynn Marina) on the northeast coast of Jamaica. Developed as a public and private sector project, it completed in August 2002 (after just two years of planning) to offer 32 stern-to visitor Marina Cap Cana, Dominican Republic, was planned as the biggest inland marina in the Caribbean. It currently has 130 slips for large vessels. By December 2008, Rodney Bay Marina in St Lucia had been redeveloped to feature 32 dedicated megayacht slips for vessels up to 250ft (76m). berths at a fixed pier with Rolec dockside pedestals. In addition to excellent security, good service was deemed essential. “One thing we’ve learned is that the needs of the yachts are varied and unpredictable. We have, as a result, made the most prime space in the marina Central to the fanciful development • of Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas is a luxury marina, built to withstand constant traffic and one of the first in the world to be designed for maxi yachts. The marina was expanded in 2005 and a marina village added. “Atlantis is unique because it’s totally transient. One can see three boats at one slip in any one day.” Bob Nathan, designer Moffatt & Nichol. Update to 2020: Atlantis has 63 megayacht slips, the largest finger pier accommodating 220ft/67m, and alongside berthing. Marina Davila Sport in Vigo, • Spain, completed its first phase in early autumn 2005 for yachts up to 100m (330ft). Spanish companies Ronautica and Marinetek Spain worked together on the breakwater and interior pontoons, all of which are moored by Seaflex. Update to 2020: Davila Sport can now 22 www.marinaworld.com - July/August 2020
MARINAWORLD@20 A unique marina in Fort Lauderdale’s famous ‘marina mile’ acts as a floating service and showroom for Westport Yachts. accommodate yachts up to 150m/490ft at a 236m/774ft long pier and is virtually the only Spanish marina on the Atlantic coast with mooring capacity for large yachts. Marina Port Tarraco, 50 miles south • of Barcelona, Spain, opened in the second quarter of 2006. Two new fixed quays were built to complement an historic dock wall and floating docks planned for the future. Stern-to berthing was the norm, with capacity for vessels up to 120m (390ft). Update to 2020: 33 berths are available for vessels of 45-160m/148-520ft. Notable yachts were swift to take • advantage of a soft opening at Marina Emerald Bay on Great Exuma in the Southern Bahamas. Set within a Technologically advanced and offering generous slip sizes, Albany Marina in New Providence, Bahamas opened in November 2010. 470-acre (190ha) site with full luxury resort amenities, it offered a chance to invest in property and slip membership, from US0,000 to over .5 million (March/April 2006). “Members of The Club at Emerald Bay enjoy preferred access to the marina, with the ability to have their very own designated dock.” Todd Kitchell, vice president club operations. Update to 2020: 133 boat slips are available, each with in-slip pump-out, for yachts up to 240ft/73m. By December 2008, Rodney • Bay Marina in St Lucia had been redeveloped to feature 32 dedicated megayacht slips for vessels up to 250ft (76m) along with 176 berths for 40-60ft (12-18m) boats at a Walcon floating dock system. The large berths were built in a bid to expand viable cruising grounds for superyacht charter in the southern Caribbean. The entire marina was designed by Applied Technology & Management for IGY Marinas. All large berths are located at fixed concrete docks. Update to 2020: Rodney Bay has a total of 253 berths including 32 megayacht berths for vessels up to 285ft/87m. Part of an enormous • development on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, Marina Cap Cana was a three-phase project to develop the biggest inland marina in the Caribbean and the only full-service marina between Turks & Caicos and Puerto Rico to accommodate vessels of over 150ft (46m). An ultimate total of 1,250 slips was envisaged. “When completed, the marina will be comparable to the great international destination marinas of the world, including those in Italy, Spain, France, Monaco and Dubai.” Bruce Blomgren, CEO, marina managers Brandy Marine. Update to 2020: Cap Cana has over 130 slips for yachts up to 150ft/46m and complete services for captains and crew. Vilanova Grand Marina in • Barcelona, Spain, opened in April 2009 with large yachts uppermost in mind: over 27 berths for vessels of 20-25m (66-82ft) and 49 berths for yachts of 25-80m (82-262ft). The design included an ultra modern technical centre for repairs and refit. www.marinaworld.com - July/August 2020 23
