The Yacht Harbour Association has announced the winners of its prestigious Marina of the Year Awards. Now in its 6th year, the Awards recognise the best of over 160 Gold Anchor accredited marinas from round the world. The winning marinas are voted for by their berth holders in the Coastal, Inland, International and Superyacht categories.

The Marina of the Year 2018/19 winners and runners up are:

Coastal Marina of the Year 2018/19 (over 250 berths)

  • Winner – Plymouth Yacht Haven
  • Runner up – MDL Torquay Marina

Coastal Marina of the Year 2018/19 (under 250 berths)

  • Winner – Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour
  • Runner up – Poole Quay Boat Haven

Inland Marina of the Year 2018/19 

  • Winner – Church Minshull Aqueduct Marina
  • Runner up – Caen Hill Marina

International Marina of the Year 2018/19

  • Winner – Marina de Vilamoura
  • Runner up – Karpaz Gate Marina

Superyacht Marina of the year 2018/19

  • Winner – Yakilavak Marina

To commemorate their achievement, winners and runners up of the Awards, will be presented with trophies by the Chairman of TYHA, at the Marina Conference, sponsored by Walcon on 24 April.

Jon White, General Manager of The Yacht Harbour Association, commented: “A huge congratulations to all the winners, runners up and all marinas who were voted for in the 2018/19 Marina of the Year competition. The array of marinas who stood out in this year’s competition showed how strong today’s marinas are at achieving and often exceeding the modern consumer’s standard of quality service and excellent facilities.”

Upon receiving the award of Coastal Marina of the Year 2018/19 (over 250 berths), Steve Kitchen, Marina Director at Plymouth Yacht Haven, commented: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won Marina of the Year 2018/19. It is well-earned recognition for the Plymouth Yacht Haven team for their hard work in all weathers, looking after 450 loyal berth holders and hundreds of visitors. It is even more pleasing because the UK has many excellent marinas and to be voted one of the best by so many of our customers makes us very proud and determined to continue our policy of continuous improvement and investment in the future. We look forward to another busy year, hosting the Plymouth Regatta, the Rolex Fastnet Race Finish and a host of other rallies and visitors.”

Lord Montagu, owner of the Beaulieu Estate and River, commenting on their win of the Coastal Marina of the Year 2018/19 (under 250 berths) award, remarked: “I am delighted that the Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour has won this award, especially as it is based on the votes of people who visit and keep their boats on the river. The work done by Harbour Master, Wendy Stowe, and her staff to improve the facilities and services is evidently appreciated by our customers and I would like to thank them for this ringing endorsement.”

Kerrie Gray, Manager at Poole Quay Boat Haven, which was named runner up for the Coastal Marina of the Year 2018/19 (under 250 berths), added: “We are delighted to have received the runner up award in the Coastal Marina of the Year (under 250 berths) category. We feel honoured that Poole Quay Boat Haven has again been recognised for the service we provide to both our long-term berth holders and our visitors, many of whom return year after year.”

Robert Parton of Church Minshull Aqueduct Marina, the winner of the Inland Marina of the Year 2018/19 award, said: “Aqueduct Marina is delighted and flattered to be awarded a Marina of the Year award, especially as it is selected by popular vote. We thank everyone who voted and look forward to meeting our existing, new and returning customers during this our 10th anniversary year, culminating on 13 July with our Aqueduct Boat show and party. All welcome.”

Isolete Correia, Direcção da Marina at Marina de Vilamoura, S.A., responded to their award for International Marina of the Year 2018/19: “We are very honoured to receive the International Marina of the Year Award 2018/2019. It is especially rewarding because it is obtained through the votes of our clients. The Marina de Vilamoura team considers this a motivation to continue with our commitment and goal in meeting our client’s expectations.”

Liza Singer, Managing Director at Karpaz Gate Marina, this year’s runner up of the International Marine of the Year 2018/19 award, remarked: “To receive recognition again in the Marina of the Year Awards is a huge accolade for Karpaz Gate Marina because it proves we are maintaining the highest standards for our customers. The pleasure and satisfaction of our clients are the most rewarding aspects of running the marina, so we are honoured and thankful that our berth holders have provided such positive feedback. The award is the result of the hard work and dedication of the marina team who every day go above and beyond their duty to make sure the needs of all our customers are met and exceeded. Since our previous award win in 2017, we enhanced our Technical Centre so our team can now meet demand for almost any request, from maintenance work to hull painting, carpentry work and teak replacement.”

Upon receiving the Superyacht Marina of the Year 2018/19 award, Deniz Akaltan, Director of Yakilavak Marina, said: “We are honored and excited to be recognised as Superyacht Marina of the Year by The Yacht Harbor Association, the leading global yachting institution and standard setter in the marina industry. As Yalıkavak Marina, since day one of our foundation in 2009, we have continuously invested on maximising our service quality covering all areas of the marina operations, as well as enabling a luxurious lifestyle atmosphere for our guests via operating our award-winning beaches and hotels, with world-known retail and jewellery brands, and a fine dining and local cuisine experience. We have always worked tirelessly to deliver the best quality service and take care of each and all of our endeared guests and clients, who we happily see have voted for us, which shows our efforts have tremendously paid off.”

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