The International Superyacht Society is perhaps best known for its annual awards. Recognizing significant accomplishments in megayacht design as well as industry leadership, they are peer-to-peer honors. Last week, during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the organization held its 29th-annual Design & Leadership Award Gala. While the yachts receiving awards attracted a lot of attention, so, too, did the individuals paving the way for others to follow.
The design winners are:
- Vista Blue: a Ferretti Custom Line 120, winner of the Power 24-40M category
- Utopia IV: a fully custom Rossinavi project, winner of the Power 40-64M category
- O’Ptasia: a fully custom Golden Yachts project, winner of the Power 65M+ category
- Seatius: a Southern Wind SW96, winner of the Sail 24-40M category
- Aquarius: a fully custom Royal Huisman project, winner of the Sail 40M+ category as well as the Best Interior category (above)
- G2: a Vitters sailing superyacht delivered in 2009, refitted by Pendennis last year, winner of the Best Refit category.
The Design & Leadership Award Gala further paid tribute to individuals. Among the people receiving recognition, Capt. Paul Clarke and his crew aboard the motoryacht Loon stood out. They received the Distinguished Crew Award for several remarkable reasons. For instance, they were the first responders to enter the devastated Marsh Harbor in the Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian this past summer. With the guidance of YachtAid Global, the non-profit aid organization, Clarke and his crew performed more than 1,100 medical interventions. In addition, they assisted with nearly as many airlifts. Furthermore, they removed debris from the water, which was obstructing navigable areas and therefore posed potential threats to additional responders.
International Superyacht Society superyachtsociety.org
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