30 | WATERLINE March 2025 MARINA TRAINING INSTITUTE What is your background, your industry experience and what you are up to now? Prior to joining the marina industry, I held senior leadership positions at several international media companies in New York, Los Angeles, Paris and London. I moved to the Whitsundays in 2018 and joined the industry as General Manager, Abell Point Marina. Shortly after, the owner acquired the adjacent hotel, and we integrated the businesses to form Coral Sea Marina Resort, a premier superyacht destination and the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef. I was promoted to my current position as CEO, Coral Sea Marina in 2020. What do you think have been some of your greatest accomplishments in the marina industry? Coral Sea Marina being awarded Queensland’s first 5 Gold Anchor Platinum Accreditation was a proud moment, as was being entered into the Hall of Fame as Australia’s Marina of the Year. Recovering the business after COVID, and growing our superyacht visitation exponentially since then, has greatly benefited our region. What I am most proud of though is the strong culture we have at Coral Sea Marina, and the positive impact we have as a team through our many corporate social responsibility initiatives, from marine conservation and education to involvement in our local community and supporting people facing adversity. As a woman in a predominately male-dominated industry, what are some of the challenges you face? I face the same challenges as my male industry colleagues – risk management, insurance coverage, and delivering strong financial results in a difficult economic climate. My executive team is 75% female and while that is not by design, our results speak for themselves. The Marina Training Institute (MTI) continues to develop industry education by updating its courses in line with industry best practice and changing risk profiles and advancing new courses to support industry and ensure workers are safe, competent, knowledgeable and professional. At the close of 2024, the MTI marked a significant milestone by launching its online Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Best Practices course. This course added to the comprehensive suite of five induction courses, all available online, designed to onboard new employees effectively and efficiently. The courses not only help employees understand the unique marina environment and how to respond to workplace situations but also ensure marina employers meet their obligations under Environmental and WHS legislation, protecting the reputational and financial interests of the business. The online courses are a critical tool for marina owners and operators who are seeking to provide consistent and thorough foundational training for their teams. MTI courses are designed to be cost-effective, flexible, and convenient, offering a valuable resource that helps businesses comply with legal obligations while promoting high levels of employee productivity and safety. The ability to provide proof of successful completion and understanding further strengthens the learning experience and provides evidence of the marina’s compliance obligations. 2025 promises to be a busy year for the MTI’s educational programs, with continued strong demand for the globally recognised Global Marina Institute (GMI) Management Courses. The Advanced Marina Management (AMM) Course, being held in Auckland 31 August – 5 September is already at full capacity. Similarly, the Intermediate Marina Management (IMM) courses scheduled for Dubai 22 – 25 April, Phuket 18 – 22 May, and Sydney 27 – 31 July are also in high demand, reflecting the industry’s desire for high-quality management education. One of the most exciting developments is the anticipated launch of the Negative Forklift Operators Course, scheduled for late 2025. This course is designed to fill a growing gap in the market by providing specialised training in the safe and skilled operation of forklifts in the marine environment, particularly within dry stack operations. Additionally, the development of the 100 Tonne+ Straddle Carrier course, targeted at already accredited Straddle Carrier Operators, is scheduled for further development in 2025. This course aims to provide further specialisation and training for operators working with heavy equipment in challenging marine environments. In addition to its core courses, the MTI is committed to maintaining a strong presence in webinar-based education. Building on the record-breaking webinar attendance in 2024, the MTI has scheduled five webinars for 2025. These 1-hour long sessions will address a range of timely and relevant industry topics, from insurance and legal matters to pest control and eco-friendly solutions for marinas. The webinars are designed to fit seamlessly into the busy schedules of marina professionals, presenting critical information in manageable instalments. The Marina Operations Manual will commence its update in Q3 with the aim of a completed and updated manual available for launch at Marinas26. In what will be a pivotal year for education within the marina industry, the MIA is helping to equip marina professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in our ever-evolving industry. For marina operators and their teams, this is an exciting time to invest in education and professional development. For more information, contact: Lily Peel MIA Industry Training & Development Co-ordinator education@marinas.net.au CERTIFIED MEMBER, KATE PURDIE CMP BIG YEAR AHEAD FOR INDUSTRY TRAINING & EDUCATION The Marina Industries Association (MIA) recognise Certified Marina Operators, Managers and Professionals who are committed and experienced industry professionals, globally recognised through the Global Marina Institute (GMI) for their extensive experience and demonstrated knowledge and who have completed the Intermediate and Advanced Marina Management training programs. There are over 500 Certified Members accredited globally through the GMI and endorsed by ICOMIA - the International Council of Marine Industry Associations and as such open opportunities to work in the industry in all parts of the world.
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