Nominations for the International Superyacht Society‘s (ISS) annual Awards of Distinction are now open, as announced by the organisation today. Nominations come from international yachting enthusiasts and the superyacht industry. While many are aware of ISS’ design awards that acknowledge achievement in superyacht engineering and style, ISS equally recognises personal triumph from crew to the corporate office and for ocean stewardship.
ISS’s 2013 Awards of Distinction will be presented during ISS’s International Awards for Design & Leadership Gala which kicks off the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. The Gala this year is newly scheduled for Wednesday 30 October 2013 at the DCOTA (Design Center of the Americas).
A 501 (c) 6 non-profit organization, ISS is dedicated to recognizing achievement in the global superyacht community. To do so, the Society relies on the perpetual support of established sponsors and welcomes new sponsors who see ISS involvement as an excellent means of creating visbility in the worldwide marketplace. ISS gratefully acknowledges Robb Report for their continuing commitment to the ISS Leadership Award and Westrec for continuing support of the Distinguished Crew Award. Oceanco is now sponsoring the ISS Fabien Cousteau Blue Award Excellence in Innovation Award
Complete descriptions of ISS’s Awards of Distinction follow. Nomination information is included as well as mention of recent recipients. The 2013 Nomination Form is attached.
ISS Business (Person) of the Year
The ISS Business (Person) of the Year is awarded to those demonstrating excellence in their area of superyacht expertise within the previous year; nominations come from both the industry and the ISS Board with the Board making finalists selections. Previous honorees have included Dean du Toit, National Marine Suppliers; Dick Boon, Vripack; Corporation of Trinity House, Professional Yachtsman Bursary Scheme; Frans Heesen, Heesen Yachts; and, John Dane, Trinity Yachts. The ISS Business (Person) of the Year is open for Silver Sponsorship.
ISS Distinguished Crew Award
Distinguished Crew Award (DCA) nominations are made by the industry; selection is made by a panel of judges. Specifically, the DCA honour is designed to “recognize yacht crew whose distinguished acts of service best exemplify the standards to which professional yacht crew aspire.” Previous recipients have included Captain Len Beck of the M/V Battered Bull; Chief Engineer Paul Doherty of the M/V Dilbar; Captain David Hill; Yacht Aid Global; Captain Sandy Yawn; and, Captain Bob Corcoran. WESTREC Marinas is the perennial sponsor of the Distinguished Crew Award.
ISS Excellence in Innovation
Open to every aspect of the industry—from crew training to technological advances—the Excellence in Innovation award is given to an individual or business that has demonstrated innovation in their endeavours. Nominations come from the industry and ISS Board Members vote to determine finalists. In 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008 respectively, the Excellence in Innovation honoured Marcel Onkenhout of Oceanco; Gary Markel of Operation Cruise; Alastair Callender (Soliloquy); Carlisle and Finch; and, Agrimond. The ISS Business (Person) of the Year is open for Silver Sponsorship. ISS is pleased to announce MTN as the sponsor of this award.
ISS Fabien Cousteau Blue Award
The ISS Fabien Cousteau Blue Award celebrates stewardship of marine ecosystems. Environmental leadership, global oceanic conservation and resource preservation are prerequisites for nomination. The integration of environmental technologies and resource management with the goal of setting achievable standards and models for wide adaptation in the design, engineering and building of large yachts—and the use of the Earth’s waterways—are essential criteria. Nominations are made by owners and the yachting industry; selection is by panel of judges, including Mr. Cousteau. Chicago Park District and Westrec Marinas were recipients in 2012; Yacht Carbon Offset was awarded the honour in 2011. Oceanco sponsors this prestigious award.
ISS Leadership Award
The only ISS award nominated “in-house”; the Leadership Award recognizes an individual or business whose distinctive work and commitment to the industry has contributed over a substantial period of time to the sustainable growth of the superyacht community worldwide. Nominations are sought from ISS board members; the judging panel consists of previous recipients of the award. Terence Disdale of Terence Disdale Designs was the 2012 recipient. The ISS Leadership Award is perennially sponsored by Robb Report.
Nominations Process
ISS requests that nominations be made prior to 30 August 2013. The nomination form is available on the International Superyacht Society website: www.superyachtsociety.org. Those nominating are requested to complete and submit the form following instruction provided therein; the form may also be printed and faxed to 954.525.4325. Once received, the nomination will be forwarded to the appropriate committee and ISS Board of Directors.
Questions regarding the nominating process may be directed to Norma Trease, ISS Awards of Distinction Chair: 954.478.7448, +33(0)6 8561 6065, NET@salamanca-group.com.
Sponsorship
ISS Awards of Distinction are made possible by the unwavering support of ISS Sponsors. The ISS Business (Person) of the Year category remains open for sponsorship. Those interested should contact Amy Halsted, ISS Executive Director, +1 540.784.4561, seagourmet@toad.net
