Views
2 years ago

2021 November December Marina World

  • Text
  • Wwwmarinaworldcom
  • Dubai
  • Yachts
  • Monaco
  • Boats
  • Waterfront
  • Superyacht
  • Sustainable
  • Facilities
  • Marinas
  • Marine
The magazine for the marina industry

IWMC: DUBAI 38

IWMC: DUBAI 38 www.marinaworld.com – November/December 2021

IWMC: DUBAI Winning the Golden Cleat Newly created industry accolades – the Golden Cleat Awards – made their debut at IWMC. Devised by ICOMIA’s IMG Group, the distinctions honour outstanding individuals who have demonstrated a true commitment to the global marina community throughout their careers. Three industry professionals judged entries submitted during the July/August period, and voted in marina industry consultant Oscar Siches for the Lifetime Achievement award and Lars Brandt, CEO of Seaflex, for the Sustainability and Innovation award. The award ceremony took place on the historical aft deck of the Queen Elizabeth 2, under the stars that Arabs charted over 1,000 years ago. ICOMIA Secretary General, Udo Kleinitz, and Dr Fabiana Maccarini, Head of P&O Marinas Research and Development Department, led the ceremony. Both recipients were surprised and delighted to be winners. What the judges said: Oscar Siches “Oscar Siches has an outstanding track record of voluntary work and public involvement for the betterment of the marina industry, encompassing a wide range of community, systemic and technical topics that are critical for the future of the marina industry. L to r: Fabiana Maccarini, Oscar Siches, Lars Brandt and Udo Kleinitz. Oscar also encourages us to think outside the box and embrace change where change is for the better and, very importantly, he is a ‘people person’ in an industry where people are the most important asset.” What the judges said: Lars Brandt “Lars Brandt has developed and commercialised an innovative product, which now has a long track record of being used to reduce environmental impacts of boating infrastructure, and [we, thus recognise] his longterm promotion of environmental sustainability.” Special Mention Udo Kleinitz also relayed the judges’ decision to give a Sustainability and Innovation Award Special Mention to Kresimir Zic from Sense 4 Boat. The judges said they wanted to recognise his achievements to date and his bright future, encourage him to continue his development and innovation, and inspire other innovators. A buffet dinner at the prestigious Bulgari Yacht Club was well attended, and small clusters of four to five people immediately got together and talked shop in a very relaxed atmosphere. It was a marina industry social at its best. We all slept better that night. Our worst nightmares were behind us, the conference was flowing through spot-on speakers with full content presentations, and delegates were satisfied, participating and enjoying themselves. Sally Robinson proved to be an amazing moderator, keeping us all in timely order and not letting the pace of the debates slow for one single second. The validity and existence of IWMC 2021 was assured. Second conference day Just after 9.00am on Wednesday morning we were all enjoying breakfast onboard boat. This led to an interesting slow sail through four marinas, with a couple of stops to disembark and enjoy a walk about. The vast size of Dubai’s facilities dwarfs the perspective details, the limited views of the marinas seeming more like sectors of coastline than enclosed communities for nautical enthusiasts. The second marina, Dubai Harbour, is part of a massive development, including two cruise terminals, a 700-berth marina with free access (no bridges to reach the Persian Gulf) and a masterplan of large residential buildings – not yet built but undoubtedly set to grow and flex their muscles within a short timeframe. Dubai has, of course, more than demonstrated that it can make these developments happen. This thought leads us to Palm Jumeira Marina, now 11 years old, and proof positive that daring concepts of the time have worked extremely well. Floating islands with power stations, illuminated bollards, toilets and maintenance storage, extra wide pontoons (6m/20ft), underwater illumination, satellite electrical sockets at the end of the fingers for those who want to berth bow-to, and Seaflex moorings that are still performing well. The marinas (one at each side of the main trunk) are being upgraded to catch up with new customer preferences and recently developed technologies. Sailing through Dubai Marina is like floating through 5th Avenue in NYC: towers shining day and night, fully occupied berths along the www.marinaworld.com – November/December 2021 39

Back Issues