SUPERYACHT GROUP GREAT BARRIER REEF - ANNUAL DOCK PARTY 2021!

SUPERYACHT GROUP GREAT BARRIER REEF – ANNUAL DOCK PARTY 2021!

Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef region ticks all the boxes for Superyachts. The regions magnificent appeal, first class infrastructure, quality services and supplies is what has been attracting Superyachts to our shores for the last thirty years. The region offers more for Superyachts than any other port in the world! With the largest superyacht dock in the country (140m at Cairns Marlin Marina), the largest mobile boat hoist in the South Pacific to boot (1120t Austal Shipyards) and it’s the only place in the world where two mind-blowing world heritage sites meet!

We celebrate this annually with the yachts in port and it was evident that the location at the private Dock Party VIP event held at Sailfish Quay – Cairns Marlin Marina last week is certainly an outstanding one. The dock party is THE signature annual event by the group – celebrating it’s 21^st year of incorporation beautifully this year in collaboration with Event Sponsors Volvo Penta and Mineralogy Charters and further accentuated by our stunning local providores.

Event Sponsor – Gavin Rooney, said “Volvo Penta were happy to support the Superyacht Group at the recent dockside party in Cairns. It was great to catch up with Volvo Penta local dealers, key customers, marine operators, owners and customer support teams. Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef provides Volvo Penta with the platform to promote our transformation and sustainability vision which is why we have partnered with the Superyacht Group. Volvo Penta is looking forward to partnering with Superyacht Group again in 2022!”.

Opportunity abounded with over 170 guests in attendance, past charter guests, yacht owners, CEO’s, yacht captains, crew, stakeholders and specialist service providers from the group enjoying the ambiance and conversation at an event that was sadly sidelined last year and greatly missed due to the pandemic restrictions.

Guests entered on the red carpet, flanked by a Porsche Boxter and Herring Mustang and were greeted with a martini (James Bond style – Wolf Lane Distillery) and then offered freshly shucked oysters and caviar (GBR Yacht Supplies / Preston Fresh Seafood).

The chance to savour such a classy group event after a tumultuous number of months with little socializing was evidently appreciated by all.

The group pride themselves on showcasing the high quality local providores and this continued throughout the evening with further superyacht suppliers keen to be a part of the coveted event. Incredible entertainers, live band “Drewboy” and Spectrum Sounds kept the vibes high all night long as all saw the sun set over the mountains and the moon rise over the water. KL Performance ladies danced into everyone’s dreams and all enjoyed a sumptuous fully-catered evening with the cigar lounge, casino and crew cocktail comp/extravaganza drawing much interest and excitement!

Lifemember, Stewart Smith spoke of the early days and we shared a toast to the outstanding work of one of the most successful clusters ever formed in the country. An entirely fitting way to celebrate 21 years for the Super Yacht Group Great Barrier Reef with its tireless team, past, present and future!

“The groups membership has held strong, reflecting the important industry support and next year yacht numbers in region are predicted to increase even further as we ease out of restrictions.” Said Chairperson Kathleen Ferguson.

The direction of the group includes supporting exciting innovations towards green hydrogen propulsion and reducing emmissions whilst encouraging further support towards future reef research and preservation efforts.

The list of people to thank is extensive and cannot be omitted, those important people are: