Business Briefs: Dec 2008

The Dragonfly Marine System, which processes 100 percent of all wastewater into reusable quality water, recently won an "Excellence in Innovation" award at the 2008 International Superyacht Society awards gala.

Water processed through the Dragonfly exceeds Florida Water Re-use Standards, standards set by MARPOL/IMO, classification societies, U.S. Coast Guard regulations and the Marine Environment Protection Committee. The system is installed on M/Y Le Grand Bleu.

"The system is built with 100 percent redundancy as well as the automatic logging capability that will send reports to the manufacturer (optional), the engineering department, captain, ship’s office, or any designated person on a pre-determined schedule," the company said in a news release announcing the award. For more information, visit www.dragonflymarine.com .

Portofino Wine Group International, sister company to Portofino Wine Bank, is now licensed to sell duty-free alcoholic beverages to individuals leaving U.S. waters.

With a store one block from the docks at Miami Beach Marina, the company has introduced a provisioning service for yachts.

"Most of the products sold in the Caribbean actually come from Miami via container," proprietor Rick Silverberg said. "Provisioning here in South Florida should save an additional 10 percent from the Caribbean pricing and up to 40 percent from retail. Also, fine products don’t have to suffer the heat extremes from the container."

For a list of products, visit www.portofinowinebank.com .

The International SeaKeepers Society has selected Michael T. Moore of Miami-based law firm Moore and Company as its new chairman.

Moore has practiced maritime and aviation law for more than 30 years and is included in Who’s Who in American Law. Retiring Chairman Donald R. Tomlin said Moore "has expressed a passion and knowledge that will be instrumental in moving SeaKeepers forward into its second decade."

SeaKeepers was founded in 1998 by a group of yacht owners concerned with the deteriorating condition of the seas. The mission was to create a mobile, automated monitoring system to install on yachts. This SeaKeeper 1000 system has been installed in more that 55 locations.

For more information, visit www.seakeepers.com .

Dockwise Yacht Transport of Ft. Lauderdale has announced a cooperative partnership with Global Boat Shipping (GBS) of Germany. The alliance will expand shipping coverage to northwestern Continental Europe and the southern coast of the UK and the Baltic Sea.

DYT specializes in the maritime transport of private yachts with current coverage between the U.S. East and West Coasts, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean and the South Pacific. GBS operates service between the Mediterranean and Northwestern Europe. For details, visit www.yacht-transport.com.

Wisconsin-based Burger Boat Company has appointed Mike Mitchell to the newly created position of vice president of manufacturing. Working up the ranks since 2002, Mitchell will now be responsible for all manufacturing activities.

With an initial education in mechanical design and 23 years of manufacturing experience, including plant managing and 15 years ownership of his own business, Mitchell will now handle the company’s custom motor yacht production in aluminum and/or steel, ranging in sizes to 200 feet (60m).

Burger Yacht Sales, a division of the Burger Boat Company, relocated its Ft. Lauderdale office in November. New build and brokerage clients will find the new office at 1515 S.E. 17th St., Suite A-129, or call +1-954-463-1400. For more information, visit www.burgerboat.com .

BWA Yachting is opening an office in Bodrum Milta Marina in Turkey. Near the megayacht pier, the company expects the new location to assist captains with berthing reservations and more comprehensive and convenient services.

BWA Yachting is a yacht services agency with offices throughout the Mediterranean, including in the south of France, Italy, Croatia, Montenegro and Greece. BWA Yachting USA has an office in Ft. Lauderdale and the company has its headquarters in Lugano, Switzerland. For info, visit www.bwayachting.com .