4 INDUSTRY NEWS


Gold Anchor presentations around the globe


G


old Anchors awarded by the Marina Industries Association (MIA), are an international accreditation,


which requires a rigorous assessment of a marina’s services, procedures and facilities. It involves independent audits of over 100 criteria across all areas of the business, including service, facilities and infrastructure and includes a survey of customers. The accreditation aims to inform consumers as to the level of services and facilities at marinas, and to provide marinas with a set of benchmarks to maintain and a pathway for continual improvement. Recent presentations of Five Gold Anchors have been made to marinas in Singapore, Australia and the USA. Singapore’s multi-award-winning Marina at Keppel Bay, which is operated and managed by Keppel Land, has received the Five Gold Anchor rating for the fourth consecutive time following its recent audit. Suzanne Davies, CEO of the


MIA, said: “Marina at Keppel Bay continues to set the benchmark in Asia by embracing the Gold Anchor accreditation, which is a clear signal that it aims to lead the marina market in the Asian region”. Khoo Peck Khoon, General Manager, Marina at Keppel Bay, responded: “We are honoured that Marina at Keppel Bay has been accredited with the Five Gold Anchor rating for the fourth consecutive time. We are encouraged by the recognition from MIA, which will spur us further as we continue to


The MIA is pleased to announce


YP Loke (centre), Chairman of the Singapore Boating Industry Association, presented the Five Gold Anchor certificate to Selvaraj Arivananthan (left), Marina Manager, and Zailani Mahlan, Marina Supervisor.


deliver the best in premier yachting and luxury lifestyles”. The Five Gold Anchor certificate


was presented by YP Loke, Chairman of the Singapore Boating Industry Association. In Australia, Five Gold Anchors


have been awarded to Koolewong Marina located on the Central Coast of New South Wales. Less than three years old, the marina’s bespoke design features complement the National Park setting and as an accredited Level 3 International Clean Marina, demonstrates its commitment to environmental care and improvement. The marina has integrated public boardwalks


and native landscaping into its sympathetic design and provides the local community with a place to gather and enjoy the vista of Murphy’s Bay. The on-site Boathouse Restaurant has been a local landmark for years, providing berth-holders and the local community with top quality hospitality. In accepting the award, Les Binkin confirmed, “My co-owner Symantha Suprain and I are very proud of how the marina has developed from a ‘green field’ site to a full-service marina. I’d also especially like to thank all of our staff, both old and new, who have contributed so much to achieving such a high standard”.


that following last year’s agreement with the West Coast-based Marine Recreation Association (MRA) to deliver the Global Gold Anchor program in North America, the Village West Marina & Resort located in Stockton, California, has been awarded Five Gold Anchors. Nestled in a well-protected, man- made basin in the heart of Northern California’s Delta, the marina has a charming, boutique feel yet has over 700, mostly covered, berths and a vast range of on-shore facilities, including a fuel dock, a dockside convenience store, two of the Delta’s finest restaurants, a service and detail facility, and a yacht sales office, as well as necessities such as clean showers, heated and cooled restrooms, and laundry facilities. The marina and facilities are well maintained and the service is excellent. In accepting the award from Kathy O’Brien, Past MRA Board Member, Partner/Owner of Village West Marina Aaron Pellarin said, “This award is recognition of our team’s hard work, care and dedication to excellence over the years. We are extremely proud to be amongst the finest marinas in the world and we look forward to hosting boaters from around the world looking for a first-class experience”. Subject to travel restrictions, the MRA, in association with the MIA, hopes to accredit a further 20 facilities as Gold Anchor marinas before the end of the year.


Left to right: David Randall, General Manager; Chloe Duroy, Dockmaster; Fraser Vickers, Dockmaster; Wally Trevathen, Marina Supervisor; and Les Binkin, Co-owner of Koolewong Marina.


MARINA INDUSTRY • APRIL 2021


Members of Village West Marina’s team at the presentation ceremony.


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