10 | WATERLINE September 2026 FEATURE ENVIRONMENT, DECARBONISATION & SUSTAINABILITY THE VALUE OF PREPARATION A MARINA INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE By Nick Smith MA Financial Group, Sonya Wilmen and Peter Bellingham Coverforce Marine, Boyd Metcalff Saber Claims Management and Stephanie Muller Coast Underwriting Major incidents rarely arrive with warning. When they do occur, the difference between chaos and control often comes down to the preparation, systems and relationships established long before the event itself. The fire at “The Spit” Marina earlier this year provides a valuable case study in the importance of preparedness, planning and coordinated response. While no marina operator hopes to face an incident of this nature, the event highlighted how investment in risk management, staff training, emergency procedures and environmental response planning can significantly influence outcomes. By sharing the experience from the various perspectives of those involved in the response, we hope to reinforce the importance of being prepared well before a crisis occurs and provide practical insights that may assist other marina operators in strengthening their own response capabilities. THE MARINA PERSPECTIVE: PREPAREDNESS DRIVES OUTCOMES From the moment the incident was identified, the priorities were clear: protect life, support emergency services, safeguard the environment and minimise further impacts to marina infrastructure. While the event unfolded rapidly, the response was underpinned by extensive preparation. The marina's Emergency Response Management Plan was immediately activated, trained personnel moved into their designated roles, pollution containment equipment was deployed, and emergency services were supported on site. Importantly, critical fire-fighting infrastructure had been tested only weeks before the incident. Hydrants, pumps and associated systems were ready to perform when needed most, providing confidence that key response measures would function as intended. The incident also highlighted the strength of d'Albora's broader marina network. Experienced personnel from other Sydney locations were mobilised to assist, while additional environmental response equipment was sourced from across the portfolio. This ability to quickly scale resources proved invaluable as the response evolved. Despite the scale of the incident, the marina was operational the same day, with fuel operations and broader marina services continuing while response and recovery activities remained focused on the affected area. That outcome reflected more than good fortune. It demonstrated the value of planning, training, investment in infrastructure and a commitment to ongoing risk management. As the recovery progressed, environmental management became a key focus. Debris recovery, seabed assessments, regulator engagement and remediation activities continued long after the immediate danger had passed. The experience reinforced that environmental response planning should carry the same importance as fire response planning, particularly within sensitive marine environments. Perhaps the most important lesson was that preparedness is more than having the right equipment. It is the result of strong leadership, disciplined risk management and well-practised procedures. d'Albora's ability to respond quickly, support emergency services, protect the environment and continue broader operations was a direct reflection of the systems, training and resources already embedded across the business long before the incident occurred. The fire tested those processes, and they performed exactly as intended. Nick Smith - MA Financial Group (owner of d’Albora Marinas) THE INSURANCE BROKER PERSPECTIVE: WHEN THE FIRE IS OUT, THE WORK BEGINS While the immediate response is critical, one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding major marine incidents is that the insurance claim begins and ends with the visible damage. In reality, this is often when the most complex stage of recovery begins. A marina fire is rarely just a fire. Incidents involving vessels can quickly become environmental events, salvage operations, regulatory matters and multi-party insurance claims involving marina operators, vessel owners, contractors, government authorities and multiple insurers. One of the key learnings from this incident was the importance of early engagement. Notification occurred immediately, allowing specialist marine claims resources to be mobilised from the outset. This ensured that marina management, insurers, adjusters and contractors were aligned early and able to work towards common objectives. Strong risk management and preparation by d'Albora significantly contributed to the effectiveness of the recovery process. The systems, documentation, training and operational discipline already in place allowed the focus to remain on managing the incident rather than creating processes during a crisis. The environmental response also highlighted the complexity that can follow a marina fire. Debris removal, seabed inspections, environmental assessments and regulatory approvals often continue for months after physical repairs are completed. Returning to normal operations is not simply a matter of replacing damaged infrastructure. Environmental and regulatory obligations must also be satisfied. One of the most common questions asked following major losses is why certain parts of a claim take time. The answer is often far more practical than people realise. Environmental obligations, salvage operations, regulatory requirements, contractor engagement, damage assessments, cost substantiation and ongoing investigations may all be occurring simultaneously. Where multiple vessel owners and insurers are involved, information must be assessed and coordinated across numerous stakeholders. While this process can sometimes appear slow from the outside, it exists to ensure decisions are made using complete and accurate information and that all parties are treated fairly. The role of a broker during this period extends well beyond lodging a claim. It is about advocacy, communication and helping clients navigate a complex recovery environment. Strong relationships between marina operators, brokers and insurers often become one of the most valuable assets available during a crisis. Sonya Wilmen & Peter Bellingham - Coverforce Marine THE INSURER PERSPECTIVE: SPECIALIST EXPERTISE MATTERS Large and complex marine claims require more than standard claims handling. They require specialist expertise, rapid decision making and access to experienced marine professionals. Marine incidents do not operate to business hours, and neither should claims support. Early intervention allows evidence to be preserved, mitigation measures to be implemented and recovery planning to commence before issues escalate. A key component of managing major marine incidents is ensuring the right specialists are involved from the beginning. Early appointment of qualified marine surveyors, adjusters and technical experts helps establish clear reporting pathways, accurate damage assessments and practical recovery strategies. The value of specialist marine insurance extends well beyond the policy wording itself. Access to experienced claims professionals who understand marina operations, salvage challenges, environmental obligations and regulatory requirements can have a significant impact on the overall outcome. For marina operators, effective recovery relies on more than infrastructure and procedures alone. It requires collaboration between marina management, contractors, regulators, brokers and insurers, all working towards the same objective. Boyd Metcalff – Saber Claims Management Stephanie Muller - Coast Underwriting LOOKING FORWARD While no marina operator wants to experience an event of this nature, incidents like The Spit provide valuable lessons for the broader industry. Regular testing of fire-fighting infrastructure, robust environmental response planning, adequate vessel insurance requirements, strong broker and insurer relationships and clear communication processes all contribute to improved outcomes when significant events occur. The greatest lesson may also be the simplest. The fire itself may last hours. The recovery journey can continue for months. Preparation, communication and specialist expertise make that journey easier. And when all three are in place before an incident occurs, the industry is better positioned to protect lives, the environment, critical infrastructure and the communities that rely on them.
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