20/11/2016
Increasingly, marinas have recognised the need to widen the responsibilities involved in managing a yacht harbour; investing time and consideration in environmental management and customer care and assuming a more municipal role as a tourist asset in the local area. Many have sought recognition from established quality certification systems such as The Yacht Harbour Association’s Gold Anchor Award or IMCI’s Blue Star scheme.
In non-UK marinas where the Blue Flag tradition is strong, over 60% of TransEurope Marinas fly the Blue Flag, many having achieved distinctions in various categories.
26 marina members have been certified using the Gold Anchor Scheme and of these, over 65% obtained the highest 5-anchor award with the remainder displaying a very honourable 4 Gold Anchors. Within the programme, berth-holders are encouraged to vote for Marina of The Year. With thousands of votes received, it is very rewarding to see that this year, Poole Quay Yacht Haven won the category of Coastal Marina of the Year, whilst 3 further members (Southampton Town Quay, Mayflower Marina and St-Quay Port D’armor were recongnised as runners-up across the four pertinent categories.
Application for both is complicated and demands a very keen level of control across many areas of management. Safety and security are vital and so criteria aim as far as possible to reduce the possibility of incidents by previewing adequate means of response. The Blue Flag requires environmental education programmes, encouraging marinas to take a responsible role in both demonstrating good practice and engaging with local conservation groups to inform marina visitors and berth-holders.
Also this year, the Sailing Today magazine also recognised TransEurope Marinas for their two marina categories; Douarnenez (Tréboul and Port Rhu) was awarded “Overseas Marina of the Year” and Cowes Yacht Haven was “UK Marina of the Year”.
And it doesn’t stop there! Over in the Netherlands, exemplary Jachthaven Waterland was awarded Marina of the Year by their regional Tourist Board for services to promote tourism and Mayflower Marina was also distinguished with a regional Gold Award for Tourism Excellence.
Puerto Calero was named European winner for Service Excellence by the Luxury Travel Awards and on the basis of positive reviews is an Active Captain “1st Choice Marina”.
Resourceful and diverse, the delightful Haven Pod floating accommodation unit, created by Neyland Yacht Haven won approval in the Pembrokeshire Tourism Awards.
These are far from all of many successes throughout the network, but each accolade reinforces the group and raises the bar for service and innovation. TransEurope Marinas congratulates every marina team to have been honoured by these awards.
