If you’re a yacht owner with one of the hardest-working crews around, or if you know of an individual or business in the megayacht industry who has achieved true distinction this past year, here’s your chance to get them the recognition they deserve.
The International Superyacht Society (ISS) is soliciting nominations for its annual Awards of Distinction. While the ISS gets a lot of publicity for its megayacht design awards, and rightfully so, the organization believes “personal triumph from the crew level to the corporate office” is equally important to honor. The Awards of Distinction are handed out the same evening as the yacht awards, during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in October.
The specific awards are as follows:
Distinguished Crew Award. This honor goes to crew who have demonstrably proven their attitudes and job performance “best exemplify the standards to which professional yacht crew aspire.” Previous recipients include Capt. Sandy Yawn and the crew of White Star, who battled an engine-room fire aboard the 131-footer in their charge while off the coast of Yemen; and Capt. Robert Corcoran and the crew of Argyll, who rescued Cuban refugees from an overloaded boat that had run out of gas, food, and water three days prior.
Excellence in Innovation. Any individual or business that has struck new ground, expanded its reach, or otherwise shown advancement over the past year can be nominated. Past nominees have been involved in fields as diverse as crew training, technology, and even environmental stewardship. Last year’s recipient: Agrimond, for its Marine Dragonfly zero-discharge wastewater treatment systems.
ISS Person or Business of the Year. An individual or company that demonstrates excellence in their area of expertise within the previous year. Last year’s recipient: John Dane, CEO of Trinity Yachts, for putting his employees’ needs before his own when Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. Among other things, he had the company purchase mobile homes for employees whose homes were destroyed – far faster than FEMA got its act together – and handed more than $1,000 in cash to every worker so that they could get by for a while. (All of this after his own home was reduced to rubble.)
Direct any questions regarding the nomination process to Norma Trease, the awards chair: call +1-954-478-7448 or +33 (0) 6 8561 6065, or via e-mail. Nominations can be e-mailed to ISS or faxed to its office at +1-954-525-4325.
Leave a Reply