2012 Design Awards Finalists Announced

The finalists for the 2012 International Design Awards has been announced; for more than 20 years, ISS’s Design Awards; based entirely on peer review, has celebrated the very finest naval architecture, design, interiors, engineering and builds in the superyacht industry.

The annual event has been sponsored by Burger Boat Company, Lürssen, nanoICE, Oceanco, Robb Report, Westrec and Wright Maritime Group.

A dedicated group of volunteers from many of the industry’s finest companies work on the development of the theme, enhancements to the program and to ensuring an elegant evening.

Each year, nominees are submitted to ISS by the large yacht industry’s leading builders, designers and stewards. The categories are as follows:

• Power: (3) awards for size categories 24m to 40m, 40m to 65m and 65m+
• Sail: (2) awards for size categories 24m to 40m and 40m+
• Interior Design: (1) award for power or sail
• Best Refit: (1) award for power or sail

The selection of finalists in each award grouping is voted by ISS members; a distinguished and impartial group of judges then weighs the qualifications of each yacht.  The winning yachts are announced at ISS’s annual International Design Awards Gala, this year on Thursday 25th October from 7pm at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale.  The theme celebrates World Adventures.

ISS also recognises achievement in the business and service of superyachts; during the Gala, ISS Awards of Distinction: Business or Business Person of the Year, Excellence in Innovation, the ISS Fabien Cousteau Blue Award as well as the Leadership Award and Distinguished Crew Award are presented.

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 the finalist selections.

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.  

The new ISS Fabien Cousteau Blue Award, first introduced at the 2010 Awards Gala, 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.

ISS’s Leadership Award recognises 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.

The Distinguished Crew Award is presented in years when the DCA award judges are presented with a nomination that represents the essence of the award (nominations are sought industry-wide). Specifically, these honours are designed to recognise yacht crew whose distinguished acts of service best exemplify the standards to which professional yacht crew aspire.

Finalists for the power award 65m+ include:

• Mogambo
• Musashi
• Nirvana
• Numptia
• Tango

Finalists for the power award 24m to 40m include:

• AB 116-Diamond
• Alaska
• Aurelia
• O’PATI
• Polar Bear

Finalists for the power award 40m to 65m include:

• Axantha II
• Galileo G
• Kathryn V
• Lady Britt
• Step One

Finalists for the best refit include:

• Cocktails
• Endeavour JK4
• Heavenly Daze
• Ilona
• Titania ex Apoise

Finalists for the best sail award 24m to 40m include:

• Antares III
• Rainbow
• Sarafin
• Two
• WindhunterII

Finalists for the best sail award 40m+ include:

• Fidelis
• Hemisphere
• Kamaxitha
• Vertigo

For further information visit, http://superyachtsociety.org