Twenty-one Australian industry representatives travelled to Port Denarau, Fiji to participate in the third annual Australia-Fiji Rendezvous sponsored by Benetti Yachts and held on August 25, 2023.
Ten superyachts were in attendance on the day, however due to the busy season in Fiji a total of 19 superyachts were engaged during the three days that included the locally organized Superyacht Gathering. All vessels were eager to receive updates on visiting Australia, with most planning on travelling to either Australia or New Zealand for maintenance and refit work in the next two months.
Australia was well represented with marine industry experts attending including Rivergate Marina & Shipyard, Superyacht Group Great Barrier Reef, Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard, Southport Yacht Club, Carter Marine Agencies, Quality Marine Clothing, Pantaenius Yacht Insurance, Crew Pacific, Jones Bay Marina, Aurora Yacht Logistics, Fliteboard, Coral Sea Marina, Marina Mirage Marina and The International SeaKeeper Society.
The Friday’s activities included a Morning Tea Expo, Rivergate Marina & Shipyard’s VIP Captain’s Lunch, Crew Cocktail Making Competition and Crew Networking Party all hosted at Sails@Denarau overlooking the superyacht marina.
David Good, CEO of Superyacht Australia, said, “It is fantastic to see large international yachts back in the Pacific, and to have had such a large delegation attend from Australia really shows how capable and keen our superyacht industry is to service the international fleet.”
Foundation sponsor of both the Tahiti and Fiji Rendezvous events, Rivergate Marina and Shipyard General Manager Andrew Cannon stated “It was great to see our Fiji colleagues and friends being so invested in the Australia Rendezvous event demonstrating the level of collaboration throughout the region, which continues to get stronger with every event by providing a holistic platform to sell our region to the Northern Hemisphere.
“The Rivergate Marina and Shipyard sponsored Captains Lunch further extends the opportunities to connect with industry friends, colleagues, and the visiting yachts in Fiji.”
Superyacht Australia hosted the “Cocktail Making Competition” for crew to kick off the night’s festivities. Participation from MY Black Pearl, MY Radiance and MY Alani II was fierce with MY Alani II coming out victorious with their Manly Spirits, Beaches Gin based “Tropical Punch.” The night’s festivities continued with a traditional Fijian dance performed by VOU Dance Fiji and a local band providing entertainment.
First time attendee Jones Bay Marina was represented by Nairn Johnston, General Manager who commented. “This was the first for Jones Bay Marina and I can say it will not be the last. This event gave us an opportunity to better develop relationship with both yacht captains, their crews and management companies but also the many suppliers, agents and contractors from both Australia and New Zealand. Spending a few days talking with these groups not only secured direct future bookings for our marina but it formed and strengthened relationships which will be sure to service our marina well for many years to come.”
Superyacht Australia thanks our sponsors, Benetti Yachts and Rivergate Marina & Shipyard, all our members that travelled to Fiji and all the superyacht captains and crews that attended.
David Good, CEO, Superyacht Australia concluded “As well as promoting Australia as a destination, Superyacht Australia looks forward to working alongside Fiji to encourage vessels to stay in the South Pacific for longer with Australia’s refit and maintenance complementing Fiji’s cruising grounds.
“Superyacht Australia would not be able to organise and host this event without the local Fijian support of Port Denarau Marina and the on-the-ground agents Yacht Help, Yacht Partners Fiji and SEAL Superyachts.”
For more information visit www.superyacht-australia.com
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