The famed Bradford Marine, with a footprint in Florida dating back half a century, is under new ownership. Despite the change, the company name remains the same. Furthermore, the new owners plan to keep the focus on megayacht repair, among other specialties, with investments.
Fort Lauderdale Yacht Harbor (FLYH), a Florida-registered company, acquired Bradford Marine. The close for the Fort Lauderdale facility and all of its assets took place on January 1. The acquisition of Bradford Marine Bahamas, meanwhile, awaits government approval from The Bahamas.
Paul Engle, president of Bradford Marine, remains in his position. He oversees a facility established in 1966 on Fort Lauderdale’s New River. Today, besides megayacht service and repair, it has a marina as well as a yacht-brokerage division. It also houses Numarine USA. The facility can haul megayachts to 250 tons, plus provides covered dockage for yachts to 180 feet (55 meters). That dockage spans more than 11,000 linear feet (3,353 meters), too. This makes Bradford Marine one of the largest covered service centers worldwide.
Bradford Marine Bahamas, meanwhile, accommodates even bigger projects. Established in 1997 in Freeport, it can service megayachts to 500 feet (152.4 meters). The 25-foot (7.6-meter) draft means large sailing yachts are no issue. A 1,200-ton drydock as well as 150-ton TraveLift are on site, which comprises 47 acres of land. In addition, the facility has 2,000 feet (about 610 meters) of dockage.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to own and operate Bradford Marine,” comments John Kelly, CEO of FLYH. “As one of the foremost megayacht repair facilities/marinas in South Florida and The Bahamas, Bradford Marine has a tremendous history built by its world-class team of employees.” Michael Kelly, COO of the company, adds, “Just as the yachting industry has evolved, so too will Bradford Marine continue to cater to the needs of the next generation of yacht owners, captains, and crew.” He further says that FLYH will ensure the facility helps grow the marine industry’s $8.8-billion economic impact in Broward County.
Engle echoes that sentiment, saying, “They have plans for substantial enhancements that will be greatly welcomed by our customers.” Pointing out their family relationship, Engle also says, “John and Michael are highly knowledgeable and informed as to the needs of yacht owners, captains, and crew, given their longtime passion for yachting.”
Barbara Gail Wilson Mikkelsen Cuthbertson
I know my husband Capt Michael Mikkelsen was the captain on the yacht Terra Mar, a 112 ft converted Canadian Corvette Subchaser, berthed in Essex, CT in summer, 1957, owned by Charles Blickle of Ford Agency, New Haven, CT, who charted her out of Essex on the Sound and then we traveled south on the Intracoastal to Bahia Mar where we lay on the face being to large to go into the docks. I am writing my auto biography and want to document this history. I know Terra Mar, the yacht was owned and charted by Charlie Blickle, of New Haven, Ford, who I guess also owned Bradford Marine, back in the day. Would appreciate any information on this history.
Thank you in advance,
Barbara Gail Mikkelsen Cuthbertson
Diane M. Byrne
Charles Blickle did indeed own Bradford Marine. In fact, he co-founded it in the 1960s. His son Charlie should be able to help you fill in some of the history of the yacht and shipyard. He currently works for Denison: https://www.denisonyachtsales.com/2014/05/charles-blickle-florida-yacht-broker/
Good luck with your autobiography!