An aerial shot of the Port Denarau Marina on Denarau Island in Nadi before it was hit by Tropical Cyclone Evan last December. Photo: PORT DENARAU MARINA
By JYOTI PRATIBHA
The Port Denarau Marina has been acknowledged as one of the best in the world.
Port Denarau Marina chief executive, Nigel Skeggs, was in Australia earlier this month with his team for the international marina awards ceremony in which Port Denarau had been nominated.
The Marina Industries Association (MIA) awards were announced at Marine13 in Sydney.
The awards are for the 2013/14 period and based on performance over the previous financial year period.
Marina Industries Association president, Andrew Chapman, said the awards have been very well supported by industry with 43 submissions received.
The Port Denarau Marina had been nominated in the International Marina category and came a close second and was highly commended.
Fiji was alongside five other marinas from Singapore, England, America and Dubai.
Mr Skeggs said whilst it was unfortunate they didn’t win, but it was very encouraging that they were highly commended.
“Although we didn’t win, obviously it was a great thing for us to be nominated,” he said.
“We were put on the platform with various other marinas, most being major international marinas that have had millions of dollars invested in it.
Encouragement
Mr Skeggs said the Association was very happy with their submission and they have been requested to make a submission for the awards again next year.
“We will definitely be applying again for the awards. In the meantime, we are still working very closely with the marina industries association,” he said.
“They have also encouraged us to continue in the direction that we are headed in.”
Vision impresses panel
The Marina of the Year Awards judging panel were particularly impressed by the clear vision and goals set by Port Denarau Marina.
Other notable and strong attributes were the clear commitment to staff training and development; very strong industry involvement and an commitment to the community.
Marina Industries Association executive officer, Colin Bransgrove, said the judging panel all commented on the important role the marina was playing in the region.
Next step
Mr Skeggs said they will continue doing what they have been doing.
“For a marina, we are not where we want to be yet, We still have a lot of tidying up to do,” he said.
“Unfortunately, a lot of that was on the books for that year but because of the cyclone, we have had to put it on backtrack.
“We are just going to continue on the path that we are on and continue along on the way we are heading.
“We will keep improving the quality of marina and the services we provide – for the visiting yachties and the visiting public who use the passenger terminal.