Residents of Jacksonville are now able to access their weekly market by boat. During the summer of 2010, city officials began the process of soliciting requests for proposals for a new public dock, located on the west bank of Jacksonville, Florida’s John’s River, just a few feet north of the Fuller Warren Bridge. The site is home of Jacksonville’s popular Riverside Arts Market (RAM).

In September 2010, Bellingham Marine was awarded the contract to build the city’s 200-foot L-shaped dock. The dock features Bellingham’s Unifloat concrete system. The wide stable configuration will accommodate large crowds and provide up to 400’ of moorage for vessels visiting the weekly market. There is also an informational kiosk near the dock to inform boaters and all users of the river about manatees, sea turtles, right whales and other marine life.

The opening of the new dock was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday March, 5th. Jacksonville Mayor, John Peyton, representatives from Bellingham Marine, and many local residents were present at the event.

“The new docks and expanded access to the river are important additions for everyone but are especially important to local boaters,” said Ron Carey, Manager of Project Development for Bellingham Marine’s SE Division and longtime Jacksonville resident.

The Saturday market has become one of Jacksonville’s most popular weekend attractions, drawing thousands each Saturday to the huge festival. This all-weather festival marketplace under the Fuller Warren Bridge boasts over 100 artist vendors, live music, street performers, a farmer’s market, and a wonderful selection of food vendors.

As the world’s leading marina design-build marina construction company, Bellingham Marine produces Unifloat® concrete floating dock systems, Unideck® metal frame floating dock systems and Unistack® dry stack systems for marinas worldwide.

Public Relations Contact: Bellingham Marine, PO BOX 8, Bellingham, WA 98227; ph. 360-676-2800 fax. 360-734-2417; bmi@bellingham-marine.com; www.bellingham-marine.com

Unifloat, Unideck and Unistack are registered trademarks of Bellingham Marine.

Located in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area in California, Emeryville Marina, operated by Marinas International, offers local boaters a world class experience. In 2010, developers of the marina hired world renowned marina contractor, Bellingham Marine, to completely rebuild the south basin including new docks with larger slips, upgraded utilities and more. Floating docks for the project were also supplied by Bellingham Marine from the company’s plant in Dixon, California.

In addition to the upgrades made to the marina’s dock system, the layout of the south basin was also significantly improved during the renovation. The fuel dock and the commercial fishing docks, which were originally located along the inner shoreline, were moved to the outer edge of the basin, which not only improved access but freed up space to allow for a greater range of slip sizes.

“The layout changes gave us a lot more flexibility and allowed us to increase the total number of slips in the south basin by 30%” said Gilbert Welch, Vice President of Planning and Operations for Marinas International. “It also enabled us to move through the reconstruction process without having to displace any of our boaters on either a temporary or permanent basis.”

The pre-existing South Basin was built in 1972 comprised predominantly of an outdated wood dock system.

The renovated South Basin has 100 slips and caters to boats from 40 feet to 80 feet in length with side tie moorage available for boats up to 120 feet. The marina also includes a dedicated commercial fishing dock. A number of design details were incorporated into the new facility including rounded fingers ends and single piece fingers, among others. Amenities include convenient access to power and water at the slips with sewer pumpout and fuel services on the commercial dock where they can be easily accessed by all.

“This was our first significant project partnering with Marinas International,” remarked Steve Canaday, Manager of Project Development for Bellingham Marine. “We look forward to continuing our relationship and to building more projects with their team in the feature.”

Don Gussler, Marina Manager said “The response from our tenants has been great. Everyone is very pleased with the marina’s upgrades.”

As the world’s leading marina design-build construction company, Bellingham Marine produces Unifloat® concrete floating dock systems, Unideck® metal frame floating dock systems and Unistack® dry stack systems for marinas worldwide.

Contact: Bellingham Marine, P.O. Box 8, Bellingham, WA 98227; www.bellingham-marine.com.

Unifloat, Unideck and Unistack are registered trademarks of Bellingham Marine.

Bellingham Marine and Marina Industries Association of Australia (MIAA) are pleased to announce that the winner of the Intermediate Marina Management Bellingham Marine Scholarship is Frank Bergmann of Cruising Yacht Club of Australia. Each year MIAA’s Platinum Sponsor, Bellingham Marine, offer a scholarship as an incentive for students to further their education and advance their career in the marina industry.

This year, Bellingham Marine offered a scholarship for the Intermediate Marina Management course which is being held in Sydney 20-24 March 2011. Applicants were required to demonstrate commitment and service to the industry and evidence work place leadership. Six applications were received and reviewed by the MIAA Education Committee.

German born, and raised in Nigeria, Frank and his family moved permanently to Sydney in 1999 where he took up the role of Slipway Hand at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA). After just three months in that role he took over the position of Slipway Supervisor and implemented OH&S guidelines and EPA. In 2000 Frank was pleased to accept a new challenge when he became the Marina Manager of CYCA. Frank has provided the management of the CYCA with new ideas and implemented changes which have improved processes and returns.

John Spragg, General Manager of Bellingham Marine presented Frank with the scholarship along with Geoff Hughes, Manager NSW Bellingham Marine, Colin Bransgrove, MIAA Executive Director, and Cathrine Van Venrooy, MIAA Industry Education Officer.

“I am pleased to be able to offer the scholarship to Frank,” said John. “He shows a professional approach to his work, has a thorough understanding of the industries’ challenges and possess skills highly valued in the marina industry.”

Frank’s future plans are to gain further qualifications and progress within the marina industry. “Understanding the industry from the ground up plays an important part in decision making and in receiving the scholarship I will take pride in bringing a high level of professionalism to the marina industry” said Frank. He is looking forward to the learning opportunities the course offers and networking with the other students.

With Singapore fast gaining repute as the destination for luxury superyachts, Marina at Keppel Bay has added two new state-of-the-art piers to meet this rising demand for quality berthing space.

Designed and built by world-renowned marina builder, Bellingham Marine, the timely completion of the new berths represents the finishing touch to Marina at Keppel Bay’s third and final development phase. Marina at Keppel Bay can now accommodate 168 yachts, including superyachts of up to 280 feet.

“In recent years, we have seen an upward trend in the number of superyachts visiting Singapore, many of which are keen to explore the cruising grounds and islands around the South East Asian region,” said Mr. Trevor Fong, General Manager for Marina at Keppel Bay.

According to the Superyacht Singapore Association, more than 80 superyachts visited Singapore in 2010, which represents a 37% increase from 2009. More superyachts are expected in 2011 and beyond. These yachts come from all over the world including USA, France, Italy, the Mediterranean and even Asia such as Hong Kong.

Since 2008, Marina at Keppel Bay hosted 53 superyachts including Amoha, Jemasa, White Cloud, Helios II, White Rabbit, Echo & Charlie, Yanneke Too, Brave Heart, Ciliam and Ambrosia, to name a few. Marina at Keppel Bay is home port to some of these yachts.

Mr. Fong added, “The opening of the integrated resorts have also drawn more superyachts and high rollers to this region, which will benefit marinas in this region. With our new pontoons, Marina at Keppel Bay can now accommodate even more superyachts, reaffirming our position as Asia’s leading marina.”

Marina at Keppel Bay is the first marina in Singapore to be fully designed and built by Bellingham Marine. John Spragg, General Manager of Bellingham Marine Singapore said, “It is an honour to be involved with this prestigious project, which has set the new standard for marinas in Asia.”

“We’ve built a strong relationship with Keppel and share a common commitment to offering yacht owners an experience at port that assures excellence and the greatest level of luxury.”

Fitted with the most advanced concrete floating pontoon system, Marina at Keppel Bay features Singapore’s first and only individual pontoon berthing system for superyachts. Some other quality features include:

• the largest berths to be fitted with 400 Amp of power;
• a reticulated vacuum sewer pump-out system, potable water, wireless internet access, and pedestals;
• individual advanced metering system to monitor power and water usage; and
• extra wide gangways and pontoons, on-pontoon customs office, as well as direct fuel access via a dedicated fuel dock.

Marina at Keppel Bay is the first marina in Asia to be awarded the 5 Gold Anchors rating from the Marina Industries Association Australia for excellence in facilities and services. Similar to the five-star rating system for hotels, the Gold Anchors rating serves as a reference system to help boaters and marina users determine which marinas best fit their requirements and needs.

Marina at Keppel Bay complements the premier waterfront lifestyle offering at Keppel Bay. Owners of Keppel Bay’s luxurious homes, including the FIABCI award-winning Caribbean at Keppel Bay and iconic Reflections at Keppel Bay designed by master architect, Daniel Libeskind, enjoy true waterfront living with a private marina and a host of other waterfront amenities and facilities right at their ‘backyard’.

– ends –

Keppel
Leanne Sim
Keppel Group Corporate Communications
Tel: +65 64136 420
Email: leanne.sim@kepcorp.com

Bellingham Marine
John Spragg
General Manager
Bellingham Marine Australia
Tel: 61-7-3376-6955
Email: bmi@bellingham-marine.com

About Marina at Keppel Bay
The crown jewel of Singapore’s southern shores, Marina at Keppel Bay is the exclusive home of choice for international luxury yachts, and a water playground for the privileged and prominent. Located on the privately-owned Keppel Island, the Marina enjoys proximity to the city centre and quick accessibility to Changi International Airport via the expressways. It is the first marina in Asia to be accredited Five Gold Anchors by Marina Industries Association Australia and was named “Best Asian Marina 2010” at the Asia Boating Awards. Marina at Keppel Bay is home to Singapore’s first Royal Yachting Association (RYA)-accredited Keppel Bay Sailing Academy (KBSA) which aims to promote leisure and professional sailing both locally and in the region. KBSA is also the only accredited training centre for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race outside of the UK. Marina at Keppel Bay is strategically twinned with Nongsa Bay Marina & Resort to enhance and extend the spectrum of boating activities and avenues for the region’s enthusiasts. As sister marinas, members of Marina at Keppel Bay and Nongsa Bay Marina & Resort enjoy special twinning privileges and exclusive benefits. For more information visit www.marinakeppelbay.com

About Bellingham Marine
Bellingham Marine is the global leader in design, manufacture, and construction of marinas and related products and services. Bellingham Marine enjoys an unrivalled reputation within the industry and has installed more than 20 million square feet of docks throughout the world. The Company’s reputation is directly attributable to the quality of its products and services and the skill and dedication of its people. As the world’s leading marina design-build construction company, Bellingham Marine produces Unifloat® concrete floating dock systems, Unideck® metal frame floating dock systems and Unistack® dry stack systems for marinas worldwide. For more information visit www.bellingham-marine.com.au