Island Global Yachting (IGY), an owner, developer and manager of luxury marinas, including five currently operating within the Caribbean region, announced in July the addition of Marina Santa Marta to their global collection. September 1, 2010 marks the official nautical-phase opening.
Strategically located in Santa Marta, Colombia on the northern Caribbean coast, the brand new marina will be a comprehensive, modern yachting destination offering 256 berths and accommodating vessels from 25-132 feet (7.6m-40m), with a maximum draft of 11 feet (3.5m) and a maximum beam of 29 feet (9m). Set to become a sport fisherman's haven, the marina's strategic location within the Caribbean is also within close proximity to the Panama Canal.
Naturally guarded in a soft-sand sheltered bay, Marina Santa Marta will have 24-hour security and cameras along with state-of-the-art floating docks. Dedicated facilities for captains and crew will offer TV and Wi-Fi as well as modern bathrooms and showers. A helicopter landing pad is on site, along with the convenience of on-site port authority, as well as immigration and customs. Vessel amenities include pump-out and fuel service, electricity, Wi-Fi and water.
To prepare the staff at Marina Santa Marta for this month's opening, the company is implementing its "IGY University" training. "Our marina staff is thoroughly instructed on everything from procedures and professionalism, to mooring and maintenance needs," said Kenny Jones, MBE CMM, Executive Vice President Operations of IGY Marinas. "Taught to measure details such as occupancy statistics, revenue generation and vessel trends, the staff leaves IGY University with a sense of loyalty to the marina and its customers, making the program a truly unique gem in the hospitality and tourism industries."
Snow-capped mountains, natural parks such as the renowned Tayrona Park, tranquil bays and warm beaches make Santa Marta ideal for eco-activities. The marina is in the region of Cartagena and Barranquilla, Colombia, 43 and 113 miles away respectively. In close proximity to Marina Santa Marta are Venezuela at 177 miles; Panama at about 400 miles; Trinidad and Tobago at 860 miles; and Aruba at 300 miles away.
Founded in 2005, IGY focuses on acquiring, managing, and servicing luxury-yacht marinas and the surrounding upland real estate properties. Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, IGY also has offices in New York, NY and St. Thomas, USVI. Island Global Yachting marinas operate under the signature Yacht Haven Grande collection and the IGY series brands, as well as several private labels.
The company has 10 marinas in the Caribbean and the Americas, all catering to a variety of vessel types including sport fishers, cruisers, sailing and motoryachts, as well as being exclusive home ports for some of the world's largest megayachts. In addition to Marina Santa Marta, Caribbean locations include St. Lucia (Rodney Bay Marina), St. Maarten (Simpson Bay Marina and The Yacht Club at Isle de Sol) and St. Thomas, USVI (American Yacht Harbor and Yacht Haven Grande.)
IGY is an affiliate of Island Capital Group LLC, a real estate merchant banking firm led and founded by Andrew Farkas, former chairman of Insignia Financial Group. For more information:
www.igymarinas.com.
