The three premier marinas in the IGY Yacht Haven Grande Collection have each been awarded 5 Gold Anchors by the Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA). With thorough inspection and detail, Gareth Turnbull, General Manager of TYHA assessed each marina according to the Association's globally adopted standards for marinas.
"We are thrilled to have received such high accolades from a highly-regarded organization such as The Yacht Harbour Association. Our marinas strive to be the top destinations for yachtsmen around the world, and clearly our efforts have been recognized by not only the TYHA, but by our customers as well," said Kenny Jones, MBE, CMM and Executive Vice President of Operations for IGY Marinas.
The Gold Anchor Award Scheme is a voluntary assessment program, which is focused on customer service and providing quality moorings for the boat owner. The ratings range from 1 to 5 Gold Anchors and provide assurance of the credibility and quality of the marina when assessed against the technical criteria based on TYHA's Code of Practice for the design, construction and operation of marinas. Marinas are assessed by fully qualified marina assessors, berth holders' feedback and independent mystery shoppers. The program operates in 23 countries and has been for 24 years. Recently, the program was given the Practical Boat Owners Green Initiative award in 2011.
"I have never experienced one company that is spread across 6 different countries, with several different cultures, that present consistent high levels of facilities and services. The staff are extremely well trained and motivated and demonstrate amazing passion for what they do, and do it well. All facets of the facilities operations are a credit to IGY and Andrew Farkas's vision," says Mr. Turnbull.
TYHA's assessment revealed the following for each IGY marina in the YHG Collection:
Yacht Haven Grande, St. Thomas
Yacht Haven Grande is a superb mega yacht marina located in the Caribbean on the island of St. Thomas. It is owned and operated by IGY Marinas and built to cater to mega yachts in 2005. Yacht Haven Grande is the jewel in the crown of the IGY portfolio; there are 46 berths providing exceptionally high standards of service and facilities required by yachts up to 600 feet. This is a business where the management rolls out the red carpet for every customer while also keeping its house in order with regards to facilities and good management practice.
IGY has developed an exclusive retail village in the upland with brands such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci and visitors are invited to use the restaurants, spa and leisure facilities with the assurance that the property is subtly monitored and patrolled by a team of professional security personnel.
The marina team understands what their customers expect and provides a top service for the duration of each stay. Customers are extremely important to the marina team and enjoy the attention to detail one would expect in such an environment, and in our survey of the berth holders' comments such as "outstanding", "model marina" and "nothing is ever a problem for the courteous staff", were common.
Yacht Haven Grande is a busy port supplying 2.9 million gallons of water, 1.3 million gallons of diesel and 1.8 million kilowatt hours of electricity. There is a huge demand on services, combined with the high expectations from captains, which are well within the capabilities of the marina team.
Rodney Bay Marina, St. Lucia
Rodney Bay Marina is a world-famous yachting center, catering to all yacht configurations with in-slip fueling and 3-phase electrical supply for mega yachts as well as swinging moorings on an inner lagoon for those with a tighter budget. With thousands of visitors each year, it is a business ideally suited to welcoming transatlantic sailors who have just completed the long voyage.
This is a luxury facility on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia where IGY's experience in running marinas makes entry to the island a relatively easy process for the captain and crew. The Gold Anchor assessment for Rodney Bay Marina found that IGY takes its duty of care one step further than they need to. A great example is its sponsorship of a customs and immigrations service, which is on-site at the marina. On arrival, crew have access to good shower facilities, great restaurants with a variety of cuisine, a supermarket, high-speed fueling, a boat yard and a well-stocked chandlers.
Rodney Bay Marina also runs a very popular series of crew parties for visiting and resident yachts and the crew can be assured that they are in safe hands throughout their stay. We surveyed berth holders and carried out a mystery shop, which found that the marina scored impressive full marks on customer service and this was reflected in what we experienced during the assessment. A particularly impressive service is the dock staff who are each allocated a pontoon and tend to yachts in their area.
It is a safe and trustworthy port to base cruising or racing in the Caribbean and indeed an essential stop to clear immigrations, get provisioning and refuel. Some of Rodney Bay's legendary events include the ARC rally (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) in December each year and the International Billfish Tournament in October, which recently broke the island marlin record of 960 pounds.
Local St. Lucian businesses value the marina and its visitors who are always made welcome and currently a complimentary rum punch is provided by one of the on-site bars.
The Yacht Club at Isle de Sol, St. Maarten
Yacht Club Isle de Sol is a premium marina facility within easy reach of St. Barts, Saba, Anguilla and many other very desirable Caribbean locations. It caters to yachts up to 360 feet and is fine tuned in to the needs of mega yacht captains and crew. The VIP experience starts before customers reach their berth when they are greeted and escorted by tender, making the crew's job easier on the approach and when docking at their allocated berth.
Once on site, the efficient marina team make sure crew and captain get everything they need and all within the very secure, privacy of Snoopy Island in Simpson Bay lagoon. IGY provides an excellent range of services including ISPS (The International Ship and Port Facility Security) compliance, high-speed in-slip fueling, in-slip pump out, free satellite television and free wireless Internet to every berth. Crew can also park cars directly beside the berth making provisioning and VIP transport a 1st class experience.
Captains and crew enjoy relaxing on site with the gym, pool and flood-lit tennis courts as well as socializing in the poolside Castaways Bar & Restaurant. This facility compliments the atmosphere on site with crew enjoying the parties laid on by IGY as well as offering quiet areas for some time out.
Within easy reach is excellent shopping, local French cuisine as well as a range of beach bars. St. Maarten is also one of the few mega yacht bases in the Caribbean with private jets regularly delivering new charter customers to the island.
These are all reasons why St. Maarten is one of the best mega yacht hubs in the world.
