Last week at the International Superyacht Society (ISS) awards gala, the organization handed out a new honor, called the Lifetime Achievement Award. The recipient: Don Patton.
For those of you who’ve never heard of him, let’s just say that Norma Trease, one of ISS’ directors, wasn’t exaggerating when she told the assembled guests that Patton’s “fearless honesty” is what makes his opinions on everything from new construction to refits so valuable. When he speaks, yacht yards, designers, captains, and owners listen.
Why? Over the past 59 years, Patton has surveyed more than 8,000 yachts, from production boats to megayachts exceeding 400 feet, and he’s helped launch the careers of many others in the marine business. On the personal front, he’s a sailor and former captain and has owned and sold boats, too.
And Patton’s not finished yet. Indeed, his firm is presently involved in nearly two dozen new-construction projects. And in response to the rumors that he’s been ready to scale back his workload for some time, “I’m not about to retire.” Patton added, “If you think about how many people make their living, it doesn’t compare to ours.”
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