ISS Honors Outstanding Achievement with New & Established Awards

Award Gala Sets the Perfect Tone to Recognize Individual Talent

March 1, 2006, Fort Lauderdale, FL : The International Superyacht Society (ISS) has today released the names of the recipients of two of its most prestigious awards, the newly created Presidents Award and the Fifth Annual Distinguished Crew Award. Both were presented on February 16, 2006 as part of the Society's annual Awards for Leadership and Design Gala, wherein individuals of the large yacht industry and the products they build are honored and feted. Both awards share the common foundation of recognizing excellence, dedication, and tireless effort on behalf of the superyacht industry. And, both were announced as part of the broader awards program that ISS presents annually.

While the Distinguished Crew Award celebrated its fifth year (see pages 2-4 for more detail), the Presidents Award is newly created and the result of six of the past presidents—Ray Carrell, Richard Hein, Mark Masciarotte, Kaye Pearson, Joe Purtell and Bob Saxon—creating a special award to honor a person whose dedication and hard work on behalf of the organization has gone far beyond that which is customarily expected of any member or director.

As Mark Masciarotte noted in his remarks, "On behalf of my fellow past presidents, I am here to honor a person who has been a staunch supporter of this organization since the very beginning, a person who has shown herself to be a tireless worker, a tenacious fundraiser and a valuable advisor."

The recipient of this most prestigious recognition, one that will only be made upon discretion of the Past Presidents Council (and not necessarily annually), is Jane Buffington of Fraser Yachts. Jane received a gold and black lacquered plaque with this inscription: "Presented to Jane Buffington by Unanimous Vote of the Past Presidents of the International Superyacht Society for her Exceptional Service to the Society and to the Yacht Industry October 27, 2005".

2005 Distinguished Crew Awards

Individual Award — Captain Sandra Yawn — M/V White Star

2005 Distinguished Crew Awards—Team Award M/V White Star Crew
Chief Mate: Mike Cook
Second Officer/OOW: Zvonimir Vidak
Third Officer/OOW: Scott Lindstorm
Chief Engineer: Andrew Stewart
Second Engineer: Craig Wilkinson
Bosun: Jasper Tolentino
Deck: Dan Tosswill
Chief Stewardess: Patricia Elliott
Second Stewardess: Claire Forman
Third Stewardess: Pallyn Briones
Chef: Catriona Munro
Security: Mark Wood

Excerpted transcript of remarks made to Captain Sandra Yawn by Gary Groenewold of Westrec Marinas (DCA Sponsor) follow in pages 3 and 4.

If interested in awards photography, please contact Vanessa Stuart at 954.525.6625 or email info@superyachtsociety.org.

The DCA are also supported by generous gifts-in-kind by the following companies: American Yacht Institute, BlueWater Books, Emerald Bay, Global Marine Travel, Liquid Yacht Wear, Maritime Professional Training and Smallwood's.

Founded in 1989, the ISS (International Superyacht Society) is the sole not-for-profit organization serving the large yacht industry worldwide. ISS members are individuals, companies and owners who are recognized for their leadership and dedication to raising the standards of design, construction, maintenance, repair and operation of large yachts. ISS provides recognition, training and networking opportunities to reach this objective.

About Westrec Marinas

Westrec Marinas take pride and care insuring a safe harborage for all clients and their vessels. Across the United States, more than 25 marinas belong to the Westrec family, serving vessels of every kind up to 200’. Westrec manages properties comprised of more than 15,000 wet and dry storage spaces, making Westrec by far the largest and most diverse operator of marinas in the world. Areas of operation in the southern region encompass Florida, the Caribbean and South and Central America. Known for state of the art marina design, risk management, project consulting and the finest in professional management services, Westrec is distinguished as the leader in the marina industry, providing these services to development companies, governmental entities and private owners alike.

ISS Distinguished Crew Award Presentation

Remarks made by Gary Groenewold, Westrec Marinas, DCA Sponsor

1) It is with great pleasure that I stand before you this evening to present the International Superyacht Society’s Distinguished Crew Award. This honor is reserved for the best of the best, a captain and crew who exemplify the highest level of expertise and professionalism in the super and mega yacht industry.

2) I’d like to take a moment to tell you about the captain and crew receiving tonight’s award. Crossing the Red Sea on their way to Dubai to deliver a 131’ vessel to its homeport in November 2004, this crew endured a harrowing series of events. The Captain and crew put their knowledge and skills to work in a situation that could have had a very different ending.

3) The bugs were still being worked out on this new vessel as it crossed the Suez Canal and entered the Red Sea when a storm kicked up 5 meter seas. The hydraulics failed and they lost an engine and found themselves crawling along at 5 knots. The Captain’s choices were limited. They pulled into an island off the coast of Yemen so the engineer could work on the engine so they might complete their journey. They immediately found themselves in the middle of a military zone surrounded by gunboats. Needless to say—on a multimillion-dollar yacht—they kind of stood out!

4) It took five days for the engineer to complete his repairs. They started out again and in less than an hour underway and the electronics failed. The second engineer noticed flames coming from the exhaust when a fireball suddenly ripped through the engine room. Through the experienced teamwork of the crew the fire was extinguished in minutes and all were accounted for however now they were drifting with a destroyed engine room. This quick thinking captain was able to contact an American warship on duty nearby. Needless to say the U.S Navy received a warm welcome when they boarded the vessel and ultimately towed them to the safety of the mainland.

5) Through it all this Captain and crew remained calm and collected and handled it as many of the professionals in our industry do, as just another day at sea. They didn’t panic because they were well trained, and the cumulative experience of the crew on this vessel preserved both life and property.

6) They say you are only as good as the people under you. The crew on this vessel report that the Captain remained cool and collected throughout their ordeal and never panicked. The leadership exuded by the Captain reverberated through the crew and provided quiet confidence in their professionalism as a team and courage under fire during their hellacious series of events.

7) It is for this reason; the panel of judges has chosen Captain Sandy Yawn and the Crew of the White Star to receive the International Superyacht Society’s Distinguished Crew Award.

8) Over the years, I have seen all aspects of the marine business and I truly believe that our professional captains and crew are the heart and soul of our industry. We can build the most beautiful boats in the world but it is the professionals who are managing and operating these vessels who ensure our safety, hospitality, and provide us with confidence and the means to ultimately enjoy the yachting experience.

Captain Sandra (Sandy) Yawn is here tonight to accept this award on behalf of her crew.

Captain – I am very pleased to present you with this Award – you and your crew are truly most deserving of this Distinguished Recognition. Congratulations!