Island Global Yachting – leading the way in marina management

Island Global Yachting (IGY) is considered one of the world's premier owners, developers and managers of luxury marinas and yachting lifestyle destinations.

From the islands of the Caribbean to the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf and other beautiful yachting destinations around the world, IGY is redefining the very idea of luxury marina experiences.  

The company, with its headquarters based in New York, has an unrivalled international network of marinas in the most sought-after locations, including the beautiful location of Dubai.

Anchor Marina, the first marina on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah, represents one of the most important projects that Island Global Yachting is currently developing. 

Scheduled to open this year, the marina's 520 berths will provide private yachts between 10 and 30m in length, modern infrastructural elements such as spacious concrete pontoons, deep water access and 6m wide walkways with a continuous golf cart transport service.  This will be in conjunction with some of the most modern technology available to boat owners, including LED illumination, underwater lighting, wireless internet and global satellite TV connections. 

The exclusive location of Anchor Marina provides stunning views of some of Dubai's most impressive landmarks, including the famous Burj Al Arab and the Atlantis Hotel. 

Anchor Marina will be fully managed by IGY, with all managers at the marina Certified Marina Managers and accredited by the International Marina Institute.

All staff will have completed a strict training regime in Environmental Management, Health and Safety, Customer Service and Emergency Response which will ensure IGY sees the success of Anchor Marina as the catalyst to establish Dubai as the globe's third warm water yachting destination - alongside the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

Michael Horrigan, CEO Middle East and Europe, IGY said:

"IGY maintains specific standards of service provided by our experienced staff against which our delivery is measured.  We continue to refine our brand standards and service delivery to reinforce consumer recognition of the exceptional service hospitality marina management provides at IGY managed marinas."

"IGY is at the very forefront of introducing the luxury yachting lifestyle to the Middle East region. IGY's Marinas are more than just a place to anchor your yacht, these marinas will be destinations within themselves with private clubs, fabulous restaurants, and outstanding shopping."

"This year will see numerous facilities opening up along our coastline and that success will in turn fuel the demand and expansion over the next five years.  The availability of high quality and well serviced marina berths in Dubai is going to grow at an amazing rate over the next few years. There is already a huge pent up demand that will take several years to satisfy through the facilities that will become operational from 2009 through to next year."

IGY has also been entrusted with the development and management of Festival Marina at Dubai Festival City, which opened in August 2007.

The Mediterranean inspired Festival Marina has 74 permanent berths with state-of-the-art facilities to accommodate yachts from 15 to 35 metres.  The custom-designed marina features extra wide pontoons and WiFi internet access.  In keeping with its international appeal, Festival Marina is the only facility in the UAE with quay wall mooring (as found in the waterside towns of Europe).  This feature allows visiting yachts to moor directly at the quayside so passengers can go ashore and spend the day at Dubai Festival City. 

Overlooking Festival Marina, Festival Waterfront Centre has become a major attraction for the yachting circuit.  The retail resort is home to over 600 shops including 25 anchor stores and 100 restaurants and cafés, a 12 screen multiplex cinema and a variety of entertainment venues.  The waterfront promenade links Festival Marina to the world renowned InterContinental and Crowne Plaza Hotels and Event Centre, and by 2010 the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel, all with prime waterfront views over Festival Marina, the Creek and greater Dubai.

Late last year, Festival Marina won an award at the prestigious Arabian Gulf Yachting Awards, winning the 'Best Industry Initiative - Marina Berthing' while IGY also took out the coveted 'Best Brand Presence and International Promotion' award.

IGY utilises its design, engineering, management and marketing expertise to benefit waterfronts around the world and offers a complete portfolio of management services for any marina owner's needs, from operations and service to branding and marketing to accounting, insurance, development, design and engineering, with in-house professionals available to assist clients.

As owners themselves, IGY approaches every project from an owner's perspective in order to maximise revenues, ROI and customer experience. Operating in diverse marketplaces, IGY also has a full understanding of and expertise in managing local relationships and cultural/political logistics including areas such as Human Resources, Litigation and Currency Management, for example.

The company is now actively pursuing third-party contracts to manage marinas and provide select professional services and consultations to nautical property owners and land holders.

Jeff Boyd, Executive Vice President of Marina Operations, IGY said:

"With an unprecedented marina network that spans the globe, outstanding brand awareness, unique capital positions and financial stability, a superior knowledge base, and a team of the top marina and hospitality professionals, IGY offers tremendous value for any marina owner.  The benefits are countless -- we can provide seamless integration into our established business model improving efficiencies and maximising revenues in order to operate a marina at its fullest potential."

IGY is also expanding its management role beyond its current brand structure and will now be available to offer its services to practically any marina.

Jeff Boyd continued:

"With our IGY and Yacht Haven Grande brands, we have an exacting standard of quality, service and participation in which a marina must uphold and adhere to in order to be considered part of those collections. Although many marinas may not fall into those categories, they are still outstanding assets that would benefit greatly from our professional guidance and economies of scale. With our new marina management division, we are able to open the availability of IGY's expertise and to assist any owner in realizing their marina's potential. As well, we are also able to now assist lenders and private equity firms to manage distressed assets which they may have acquired during these recent economic challenges within the capital markets."