24 | WATERLINE July 2026 MARINA TRAINING INSTITUTE GARY MEAD CMM After completing high school in 2003, Gary immediately entered the marine industry, gaining broad experience across vessel cleaning and detailing, marina operations, vessel sales, business development, and account management. In 2012, he joined Birkenhead Point Marina as Assistant Manager under Phil McGowen CMM. He supported daily operations and played a key role in major development works, including the Stage 2 upgrade project featuring 45-metre superyacht berths, underground fuel storage, and a new refuelling wharf, and assisted with applications and tendering processes. In 2016, Gary returned to vessel operations, completing his Master <45m qualification, MED 2, and Sydney Local Knowledge certificate. He operated fast ferries up to 33 metres long, strengthening his seamanship and operational capabilities. In 2022, Gary returned to Birkenhead Point Marina as Marina Manager, succeeding Phil McGowen CMM, and now leads marina operations, staff, and ongoing development initiatives. KATRINA POORE CMM Katrina is a marina and hospitality professional with extensive experience in marine operations, luxury guest services, and marina development. Originally from the UK, she spent her early years sailing along the British coast, which inspired a lifelong passion for the sea. Katrina began her marine career at the Bulgari Marina & Yacht Club in Dubai before moving to Dubai Marina Yacht Club with Emaar Hospitality, where she led membership, sales, and marketing initiatives across several marina projects. She currently serves as Director – Marina & Community Enhancements at the Royal Yacht Club of Ras Al Khaimah, overseeing marina operations, strategic development, and community enhancements. Katrina holds an MBA from Cardiff Metropolitan University and several maritime certifications. KIM PASSMORE CMM Originally from Durban, South Africa, Kim was born into a sailing family with a strong passion for watersports. She built an early career in finance, working as a bookkeeper, financial planner, and alternate director of a financial company, where she managed budgets, financial reporting, and a team of ten bookkeepers and relationship consultants. In 2013, Kim emigrated to New Zealand and joined Bayswater Marina, where her strong work ethic and expertise quickly saw her become an integral part of the team and she has been in the role of Marina Manager since 2020. Kim leads a team of ten and is responsible for both operational and financial management of the marina. She has overseen several major infrastructure projects, including breakwater pier replacement, re-piling, electrical and pedestal upgrades, dredging, and an ongoing full pier refurbishment. MAYUREE MARDSATOOL CMM Mayuree (Mary) Mardsatool is an experienced marina management professional with a strong background in luxury marina operations in Thailand. She previously held a senior leadership role at Phuket Yacht Haven Marina, one of Southeast Asia’s premier superyacht marinas, where she oversaw operations of the 334-berth facility and led a multi-disciplinary team to deliver high standards of service, safety, and operational performance. With expertise in marina operations, infrastructure management, and superyacht client relations, she is now seeking new opportunities to apply her knowledge and contribute to the continued development and innovation of marina management within the global marine industry. SCOTT COTTON CMM Scott’s career in the marine industry began early through school-based work experience with a yacht-share company and, as a rigger. In his late teens and early twenties, he pursued professional sailing campaigns while completing degrees in sports science and teaching, demonstrating both dedication and discipline. After graduating, Scott joined the Scope Marine sailing team before moving into marina operations as a dockhand at Jones Bay Superyacht Marina and Sydney Wharf Marina. His strong work ethic, professionalism, and ability to build trusted relationships with owners and tenants quickly led to increased responsibility. As Marina Manager Scott played a significant role in the 2024 redevelopment of Jones Bay into a premier superyacht marina, contributing to its transformation into a world-class facility and winning 2025 Best Commercial Marina (under 140 boats) Marina of the Year. ALISTER COPLEY CMP Alister is a qualified Engineer (Hons) from Monash University with Post Graduate Certificates in Structural Engineering. Originally from the automotive sector, he has also worked in senior management and project management positions within the Medical Device and Transportation Industry. Following his passion into the waterfront, Alister is also a qualified Yacht master (Ocean) and was head of Marine Operations at Middle Harbour Yacht Club managing its on-water operations as well as the marina expansion and Australian Sailing Team deck extension project. For the past 10 years, Alister has led Copley Marine Group as Founder and Managing Director, overseeing all aspects of the business and project delivery. It is this combination of extensive engineering expertise and hands-on maritime experience that sets Alister apart. He ensures all projects are designed to maximise site potential while meeting client needs and personally oversees delivery to maintain high standards and ensure the Copley Marine experience consistently exceeds customer expectations. MARK THOMPSON CMP Mark Thompson is General Manager Dredging NZ, part of the Empire Group and is a seasoned marine infrastructure specialist with over a decade of leadership experience in complex waterfront developments across New Zealand. Mark oversees the planning, execution, and delivery of maintenance, refurbishment, piling, and dredging works across the group’s three flagship marinas: Pine Harbour, Bayswater, and Hobsonville. He has strong experience in breakwater construction, fuel pier rebuilds, and full-scale marine infrastructure redevelopment. Marks’ project management expertise spans concept design through to completion, including contractor coordination, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory compliance as well as financial management of the projects.
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