I came into the marine industry by accident…I was first approached to do some consultancy work for the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) and eventually became General Manager. My marine industry career grew from there and my passion for boating came after.
I started at the MIA in late 2020…The MIA is the peak body representing the interests of club, recreational and commercial marinas, boatyards and industry suppliers in Australia, New Zealand and the wider Asia-Pacific region. I have an operational background, having spent the last 15 years running marinas. This gives me a deep understanding of the marine industry and how I think I can make a difference. I am really enjoying introducing new initiatives that are working for members. Having a board that is so supportive of change and giving new things a go is also great. I also have lots of friends in the marine industry and love continuing to work with them all.
One of MIA’s new initiatives is My Marinas Guide…It will be a map-based, online marine services directory that’s set to launch in October. My Marinas Guide will provide a comprehensive listing of all marinas, yacht clubs and boatyards in Australia and include information on their facilities, amenities, and services available. This will assist boaters in their passage planning by helping them find marinas, maintenance facilities and service providers. Our intention is for the Guide to expand to other regions in the Pacific and throughout Asia in time.
MIA’s marina accreditations can be a helpful tool for boat owners to be aware of when choosing a marina…We accredit marinas for both the Global Gold Anchor program and the International Clean Marina Program. Global Gold Anchor is akin to star ratings for hotels. Earning a Gold Anchor requires a rigorous, independent assessment of a marina’s services and facilities across over 85 individual criteria. The Clean Marina program is a voluntary accreditation system for marinas and boatyards. The Clean Marina Program assists operators to protect and enhance inland and coastal waterways. It aims to promote clean water, clean air and thriving marina industry.
I’m absolutely delighted about MIA’s new partnership with Nautilus Marine… Good partnerships will deliver more than just a financial outcome and working with Nautilus Marine is already proving to be a great partnership. Marina managers are also asked by their customers daily to advise on vessel insurance. But the greatest risks that our members need to insure, are their assets, businesses and public liability. Insurance is a big consideration for marinas. Our members rely on the MIA for support across many areas including providing information and education among a range of topics. I am really looking forward to Nautilus Marine providing our members with regular information and education on insurance matters.
For more information about the Marina Industries Association (MIA) visit www.marinas.net.au
For more interviews with marine industry identities subscribe to Nautilus Marine Magazine.