WA cruises to big wins

Western Australian companies at the Australian Marine Complex (AMC) are proving they are at the forefront of the nation’s boating industry after winning at the Australian Marine Awards and Australian Superyacht Awards.

The award ceremonies, held in May, showcased the outstanding craftsmanship and innovative products being displayed by the State’s boating manufacturers.

The Department of Industry and Resources General Manager of Marine and Defence John O’Hare said Western Australia’s success at the awards shows the significant role the AMC, and the companies based there, are playing in the nation’s marine sector.

“Australia is a boating nation, and as our economy strengthens and population expands, the marine industry will be an integral part of costal and inland communities,” he said.

“The AMC and the services it provides to these leading marine based companies, represents a great investment to the State’s marine industry.”

Western Australia was successful in three of the six categories at the Australian Superyacht Awards. The awards focus on excellence in superyacht construction, refit and design.

Hanseatic Marine, located in the heart of the AMC, took out the Excellence in the Construction of a New Superyacht category.

The company’s 73 metre superyacht, Silver, is made from light weight aluminium. With elegant and simple non-complex shapes, Silver is sleek and clean, a fine entry bow with narrow beam simplicity was the key in the design.

Western Australia’s Donald B Johnston also made history being the first ever inductee into the award’s Hall of Fame. The award is open to outstanding individuals who have dedicated over ten years to the Australian superyacht industry.

Mr Johnston was the cofounder of Oceanfast Western Australia which was set up in the AMC Northern Harbour in the 1980’s.

Over the year’s, Mr Johnston has built luxury yachts, luxury ferries and private vessels. He has also educated hundreds in the skills of high quality ship construction.

Other WA winners at the Australian Superyacht Awards included Sam Sorgiovanni who was recognised for his excellence in design.

The State’s success travelled even further with two companies based at the AMC - Kirby Marine Fabrication and LeisureCat Australia - taking out categories at the Australian Marine Awards.

The awards recognise Australia’s finest manufactures and importers of vessels, innovative products and exporters associated with recreational boating.

Kirby Marine Fabrication was awarded for its 10-metre Naiad. Dubbed the four-wheel-drive of the year, this winning boat is the pleasure craft version of the pursuit vessel operated by the WA Police. It is also the first vessel in Australia to sport a twin configuration of Yamaha’s latest 350 horse power V8 outboard engines.

Company Principle Rob Kirby said the vessel was a product of continual feedback and discussion with previous and present owners.

“We continuously look to streamline our construction process and endeavour to set a high standard of quality Australian products,” he said.

“We have great team loyalty with expertise in structural, architectural and marine fabrication. This has been a tremendous joint effort by all of them and we are very proud to win this award.”

LeisureCat Australia was successful with their LeisureCat 8000 Sportsfisher.

LeisureCat Australia Sales Manager Kevin Horsley said the aim of the company was to build a spacious, strong, seaworthy vessel with great stability and performance.

“In just a few short years we have been able to refine the design of power catamarans and our range can now be found right around the world as our export market grows and more vessels are used by rescue, police and custom authorities,” he said

“The same surveyed hull is being sought after for pleasure and fishing boats.”

Also successful at the awards was Evolution Boat Builders, based in Ledge Point 120 kilometres north of Perth, for its Evolution Outsider 520 vessel.

Chris Prince from Evolution Boat Builders said he was a one-man operation and that his philosophy was to produce top-quality, custom-designed vessels which meet customers needs.

The AMC is a site located in the State’s major metropolitan industrial hub, 23 kilometres south of Perth, for shipbuilding and marine related industries that service Australia and international markets.

State land development agency LandCorp and the Department of Industry and Resources work together with the Facility Manager to market the AMC to  clients all over the world.