Maryanne Edwards with Richard Chapman Past President AIMEX

GMBA Consultant Mary Anne Edwards who was also Chair of Judges for the 2022 Australian Marine Industry Awards attended the gala dinner which was held on Wednesday 18^th May at the Southport Yacht Club.  With their state or the arc superyacht marina built by Superior Jetties, the yacht club was an impressive venue for this event. Maryanne also paid tribute to AIMEX CEO, David Good and his team who had organised the evening leaving no detail uncovered including live entertainment provided by sponsors Pantaenius and Aqualuma.  Maryanne stated,  “The capabilities of the marine industry in Australia never fails to impress.  Australia continues to cement its position as a key player in the global marketplace”.

The awards were about recognising and awarding the outstanding achievers across the Australian Export, Superyacht and Commercial sectors. The Commercial Category offered two awards, with the first, “The 2022 Commercial Marine Project / Design or Manufacturer of the Year’ going to Spear Green Design for their impressive work on two new vessels that will service the Isles of Scilly and designing the marine interior for a fleet of 12 new build vessels to service Windfarms in SE Asian and Europe.

‘The 2022 Commercial Marine Service Provider of the Year went to The Yard Brisbane, with the judges impressed by the facility’s ability to support a myriad of commercial clients, enabling them to deliver and maintain their high quality of service to the Australian transportation, logistics and marine industry, both locally in Queensland, and nationally.

The Superyacht Industry Service Provider of the Year Award went to The Boat Works selected by judges for its impressive design, marketing and development over 2021.  Chris Blackwell Echo Yachts described it as “a luxury resort and spa for boats.” The vision of Tony Longhurst and his investment in this dedicated Superyacht facility is making a big contribution to the reputation of the Gold Coast as a superyacht hub.

The Boat Works was also successful in winning ‘The 2022 Superyacht Industry Project/Design or Manufacturer of the Year Award. The outstanding submission detailed a significant project that involved installation of an upgraded stabilizer system on a 30m charter yacht, requiring a complex reinforcement of the vessel’s hull – the second time only that such a project has been undertaken in Australia.

‘The 2022 Australian Exporter of the Year’ award went to Fliteboard and reflects an extraordinary success story which has seen export sales and export revenue double in growth during 2021. Fliteboard was also voted the winner for a second year running of ‘The 2022 Marketing Strategy of the Year’ award. The award reflects Fliteboard’s innovative marketing strategies to promote eFoils globally. Notably, the company held the first-ever ‘Flite Cup’ showcasing the performance side of the innovative product and hosted a community fundraiser that raised $50,000 for two indigenous-led organizations while also making history, being the first-ever eFoil to cross the English Channel.

‘The 2022 Apprentice of the Year Award’ rewards the winner with a return trip to the world’s largest marine equipment trade show, METSTRADE in Amsterdam. This year’s proud recipient was Blake Frazer from Onboard Engineering. Blake started as a marina attendant at the Royal Motor Yacht Club Port Hacking, progressing to work experience at Onboard Engineering which led to an apprenticeship. He is currently a third year Mobile Plant Mechanic. Additionally, Blake works as a casual deckhand on the superyacht Royal X.

The final award of the night, ‘The 2022 Marine Industry Champion’ was presented to Wes Moxey from Riviera. Wes Moxey began his career in the marine industry as an apprentice shipwright for Carrington Slipways in the late 1970s. Wes then joined Riviera in 1982 as a shipwright, just two years after the company was founded. His career quickly progressed, leading him to become CEO of Riviera in 1998. Wes established Riviera’s award-winning apprenticeship program, with Riviera currently training 107 apprentices on-site as the company works to meet global demand for its world-class motor yachts. Over many years, Wes has become a champion of the industry by learning from the best and now he imparts that knowledge freely to benefit the wider industry. Wes’s own two sons are in the industry and are also part of the impressive Riviera Team.

GMBA congratulates all the winners an impressive line-up of Australian skills, expertise and capability.

	Award Winner: Jeremy Spear, Spear Green Design Presenter: Brenton Fischer, Sydney City Marine
	Award Winner: Jeremy Spear, Spear Green Design Presenter: Brenton Fischer, Sydney City Marine
	Award Winner: Mark Phelps, The Yard Brisbane Presenter: Martin Jufors, Volvo Penta
	Award Winner: David Trewern, Fliteboard   Presenter: Ryan Carmichael, The Whiskey Project
	Award Winner: Shane Subichin, The Boat Works Award Presenter: Nav Bajwa, BOQ Business
	Award Winner; Shane Subichin, The Boat Works Presenter: Chris Blackwell, Echo Yachts
	Award Winner; Fliteboard Presenter: Barry Teeling, Mulpha
	Award Winner: Blake Frazer, Onboard Engineering   Presenter; Simon Hislop, TAFE QLD and last year’s ‘Apprentice of The Year’ award-winner Robert Smith, Superior Jetties
	Award Winner: Wes Moxey, Riviera Presenter: Steve Fisher, Rivergate Marina & Shipyard
	All Australian Marine Industry Award Winners

For further information
Maryanne Edwards
Email: medwards@gmba.blue or info@gmba.blue
Mobile:+61412916036
Website: www.gmba.blueN.B. Global Marine Business Advisors and its associated website www.gmba.blue are not registered legal entities. GMBA is a network of independent marine industry advisors.