The 2017 Australian Marine Industry Awards

An innovative watermarker company has taken out the top gong at the 2017 Australian Marine Industry Awards held at Sanctuary Cove. More than 260 guests gathered to celebrate the outstanding businesses achievements in the Australian Marine export, superyacht and commercial marine sectors.

Fittingly, Rainman Desalination took out the coveted Exporter of the Year Award along with two other awards — Best Marine Industry Export Performance - Medium Exporter; and the Best Marine Industry Export Marketing Strategy.

The Brookvale-based manufacturer boasts a range of innovative, portable and affordable 12V, 24V and 240V watermakers for a wide range of boating applications.

Unlike many existing watermakers, the Australian-made units are simple, easily serviced and portable or they can installed with a minimum of fuss.

Pitched at boaters of all levels, the Rainman units have introduced onboard water-making solutions to just about every boating segment and in global markets.

Rainman’s export sales increased significantly over the past year with
revenue growing considerably to make exports account for 80 per cent of its  business.

MARINE INDUSTRY GROWTH
Ms Maryanne Edwards, the CEO of the Australian marine export and superyacht industries (AIMEX), said the “overwhelming number” of entries for this year’s awards reflects positive growth in the industry.

Some 18 entries were received from Queensland with seven of those coming in from the Gold Coast; 11 Entries were received from New South Wales; two from Western Australia; two from Victoria; and 1 from Tasmania.

MARINE INDUSTRY CHAMPIONS
In the Commercial Sector, Justin Parer, MD of BSE Maritime Solutions, was awarded the Industry Champion. He has been involved in the commercial maritime industry for nearly 20 years as Owner and Managing Director of BSE Maritime Solutions, a ship repair and care company with facilities in Cairns, Brisbane and Darwin.

Paul Darrouzet, Marketing and Business Development Manager for Abell Point Marina, was recognised as the 2017 Superyacht Industry Champion. He has been a keen driver to engage with key Ministers in the industry and has been passionate about gaining greater access for superyachts to the Great Barrier Reef.

Trenton Gay, CEO of Gold Coast City Marina and Shipyard, was awarded as Industry Champion for the Marine Export Sector. HE is a staunch lobbyist driving home key industry issues at local, state and federal government levels on matters such as dredging, Gold Coast customs clearance, and recently supporting the lobby for changes to the Australian Superyacht charter regulations.

Every year the AIMEX board like to recognise the significant efforts and achievements of people or companies within the industry that have stood out for one reason or another. This year the AIMEX board acknowledged the Superyacht Australia charter working group for their outstanding contribution to lobbying government to allow foreign-flagged superyachts the ability to charter in Australian waters.

The Superyacht Australia Charter Working Group includes Kane Bygrave from Aurora Global Logistics. David Good from Ports North, Cameron Bray from Northrop & Johnson Australia, Jo Howard from Ocean Alliance, and Luke McCaul from Abell Point Marina.

MORE AMEX WINNERS
Other AMEX Winners Include:
>> Most innovative Marine Industry Exported Product or Service: Down Under Rally
>> Best Marine Industry Export Performance – Small Exporter: Life Cell Marine Safety
>> Best Marine Industry Export performance – Large Exporter: Marine Engineering Consultants
>> Superyacht Industry Business of the Year – Service Provider: Abell Point Marina
>> Superyacht Industry Business of the year – Manufacturer: Echo Yachts Pty Ltd
>> Commercial Marine Manufacturer: Steber International
>> Commercial Marine Industry Service Provider: Sydney City Marine
>> Most Innovative Commercial Marine Industry Product or Service: Britton Maritime Services
>> Highly Commended Most Innovative Commercial Marine Industry Product or Service: SOS Marine

AMEX says the awards are a true showcase of the best of what Australia has to offer and give recognition to the succesful companies. But Riviera and Maritimo, which export more than 50 per cent of their boats these days, missed out this year.

More at AMEX.