South West coast marinas dominated at the first ever marina awards held by The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA).

Plymouth’s Mayflower Marina was voted ‘British
Coastal Marina of the Year” by the award judging panel – following a vote by marina customers across the country.

The independent marina, owned and operated by Sailport PLC, is situated at the entrance to the River Tamar in Devon.

Marina
managing director, Charles Bush was presented with the top accolade by CEO of the
Royal Yachting Association, Sarah Treseder.

Mr Bush said: ‘What a fabulous way to start 2014, especially after all the awful
weather.’ He added that his all of his staff are “beaming with pride.”

The
awards were announced at the London Boat Show and sponsored by GJW Insurance, one of the largest insurers in the
marine trade.

Cara Hodgson-Read from
Wiltshire marina, Caen Hill was named Employee of the Year and described by berth holders and visitors as ‘extremely friendly,
efficient, approachable and very welcoming.’ She evens provides treats for
visiting dogs!

With her husband Rob, Cara was
delighted to go on to scoop the Inland Marina of the Year award. Caen Hill marina is located on the
Kennet and Avon canal and hosts up to 250 narrow boats.

TYHA, which originated in the UK, and works to support and develop the marina industry is now in 27 countries.

The International Marina of
the Year went to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico, a picturesque marina at the
entrance to the sea of Cortez.

Libby Gordon from TYHA said: ‘These
awards are an excellent way to acknowledge the hard work that marina staff do
not only in the UK, but all over the world.

‘We are grateful to our sponsors GJW
Insurance for supporting this year’s awards and hope to build on the awards in
future years.’

Pictures: Charles Bush, MD of Mayflower Marina, with Sarah Treseder from the RYA. Credit: TYHA

Chairman of GJW Insurance Mike Pope presents the Employee of the Year accolade to Cara Hodgson-Reed of Caen Hill marina. Credit: TYHA

Aerial image of Mayflower Marina.