March 2025 WATERLINE | 35 5 GOLD ANCHORS FOR WESTHAVEN MARINA, AUCKLAND 5 GOLD ANCHORS FOR HAMILTON ISLAND MARINA THAILAND’S FIRST PLATINUM GOLD ANCHOR MARINA The largest recreational marina in the southern hemisphere, Westhaven Marina, were the first Gold Anchor marina in New Zealand, achieving 4 Gold Anchor accreditation in 2022. After significant improvements including new docks, amenity refurbishments, and development of a pedestrian promenade, linking the Marina Village to the busy eastern side of the marina basin, Auckland CBD and Viaduct Harbour, Westhaven Marina has raised the bar and reaccredited as a 5 Gold Anchor marina. Westhaven Marina is a short walk from the city centre and lives up to Auckland’s nickname of ‘City of Sails’. It is home to more than 1800 recreational boats, four yachts clubs, and a variety of marina businesses and hospitality establishments. Within the marina village are two dry stack facilities and two boatyards. Situated in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island Marina has reaccredited as a 5 Gold Anchor Marina, moving up from 4 Gold Anchor in 2021. Under the leadership of Marina Manager, Jeanette Harris, the marina has undergone continual improvements and refurbishments making it worthy of its new status. Their environmental commitment is proven as a MIA Clean Marina and Fish Friendly Marina. As part of Hamilton Island Resort, the location is hard to beat, and berth holders have access to world class resort facilities The marina shows strong environmental commitment and has implemented solar panels, rain gardens and Enviropod filters, along with sponsorship of Sea Cleaners, a non-profit organisation that educates and co-ordinate volunteers to remove debris from the marine environment. Suzanne Davies, MIA CEO commented “It’s an amazing achievement and a credit to the Westhaven team in creating such an incredibly comprehensive marine facility.” including retail, restaurants, bars, pools, golf course and all that the resort has to offer. Congratulations to the team at Hamilton Island Marina on this great achievement. Ocean Marina Jomtien, on the Gulf of Thailand in Pattaya is Thailand’s first Platinum Gold Anchor Marina. This global accreditation is the highest accolade that the industry awards and is reserved for marinas which offer their customers a comprehensive unique marina experience by providing unparalleled boating facilities, tailored personalised service and an outstanding array of high-quality facilities and amenities. With over 450 modern berths, providing safe anchorage for yachts up to 75m, full vessel maintenance facilities supported by a broad range of onsite marine trades and service providers and premium leisure facilities, Ocean Marina Jomtien is southeast Asia’s largest marina and the gateway to yachting in the Gulf of Thailand. As a favoured superyacht berthing destination, the marina has also accredited as a Superyacht Ready Marina, one of only four accredited in Asia. MIA President, Andrew Chapman CMM has visited the marina a number of times and wasn’t surprised by the assessment outcome explaining, “In addition to its berthing and maintenance services, this impressive marina complex incorporates a full-service resort including a 51-room hotel, an array of food and beverage options and high-quality leisure facilities including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a gymnasium, steam rooms and saunas. Business needs can even be taken care of on the go, with access to a full range of business services including meeting spaces.” On being informed of the Platinum Gold Anchor award, Marina Manager Scott Finsten CMM said, “We have worked very hard for this. I am so very proud; this is a tremendous achievement for our team. We examined every one of the 87 criteria assessed and set about determining what we needed to do to meet the Platinum Gold Anchor standard for each one. It was a great way to analyse our operations but importantly, it was a wonderful bonding experience for the team to work together in pursuit of this goal. It is wonderful for them all to share in this great achievement.” Last year, Ocean Marina was recognised by the Robb Report Yachting Awards for “Best Marina Berth Facilities in Thailand”. Napong Paripontpochanapisuti, Managing Director of Ocean Property Co. Ltd said “While we are very proud to be recognised for our facilities, we appreciate that it is our team who deliver what is most important, and that is a very high level of personalised service, and we are very proud and grateful to them”. The marina’s customers clearly agree, as an independent survey of the marina’s berth holders is part of the Gold Anchor assessment, and the marina scored and impressive 97%. The award will be formally presented at the 2025 Nautilus Marine Insurance Marina of the Year Awards to be held on 6 May in Sydney. Ocean Marina was also recognised for its environmental commitment with an International Clean Marina accreditation and has taken the Marine Sustainability Pledge. GOLD ANCHOR
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