Success at the 6th Annual Australia Tahiti Rendezvous
by Lisa Keleher 28 Jun 2018 12:02 BST
22 June 2018
The 6th annual Australia Tahiti Superyacht Rendezvous 2018 © Lisa Keleher
The 6th annual Australia Tahiti Superyacht Rendezvous finished on a high with supporting member companies and primary sponsor Rivergate Marina and Shipyard returning to Australia in positive spirits, following a well-attended Captains lunch and networking event at Marina Taina, Papeete.
The events on the 22nd June brought out large numbers of captains and crew from superyachts cruising and chartering in the region plus key industry stakeholders to enjoy the best of Australian hospitality.
The Captains Lunch provided the perfect platform for the Australian companies present to promote their infrastructure, facilities, cruising itineraries plus the skills and experience of a very hands on Australian industry who anticipate every requirement. Captains and crew were eager for information about cruising in Australia and the capabilities to service their vessels and thanked the efforts of the Australian industry to provide such a fantastic opportunity to learn about Australia.
The Rendezvous started with the VIP Captains lunch held at the Pink Coconut in Marina Taina Papeete. The event hosted 25 guests, with Captains in attendance eager to partake and receive updates on what is happening in the Australian superyacht industry. It was fantastic to have Captain Michael Gooding attend from Silentworld. Silentworld was the winner of the inaugural Australian Voyage Award at this year's 2018 Australian Marine Industry Awards.
Captain Michael Gooding commented "This was the first time Silentworld has been able to participate in the event and we were very fortunate to be involved in showcasing what Australia and Tahiti have to offer in terms of resources and company capacity. The day enabled the sharing of knowledge combined with some great activities including the BBQ competition which made for a great event. Thank you for having a wonderful eye for organising such an event. We greatly appreciated the opportunity to participate and are fortunate to have people with passion helping us achieve."
The networking was well regarded with Australian companies forming new ties and strengthening old ones. Several Captains suggested they have strong interest in heading to Australia, with some already confirming Australia as their next stop.
The lunch closed at 2:30pm, with Captains asking for more of the world renown Australian hospitality they had been shown by the Australian attendees. The crew arrived at 4pm on the dock for the annual crew cooking competition with crew arriving from three superyachts based in the Down Town Marina to cheer on the teams. Superyacht Australia organised transport, transferring over 50 crew by bus from the Down Town marina to Marina Taina to join in the marina cooking competition and party.
Crew involved in the BBQ competition put their cooking skills to the test, the competition was fierce and highly contested among ten superyachts. Teams involved included MY Halo, SY Douce France, MY Michaela Rose, MY Angiamo, SY Nilaya, SY Shamanna, SY Freya, MY Silentworld, MY Ultimate Lady, MY No Comment. Also in attendance at the cook off, to cheer on their crew peers were MY Sirius, MY Seven Seas and MY Formosa.
The innovative and creative costumes wowed the judges making it hard to choose a winner. MY No Comment's classic Australian cricket theme made them a hands down winner on the day, taking away the prize of 3 days berthing at Rivergate Marina & Shipyard, 4 double passes to Tropical Fruit World and massages for the crew on board. MY No Comment's luck didn't run out there as they went on to win 3rd Prize – a day tour on Moorea Island compliments of Tahiti Crew, Tahiti Superyacht Support and Tahiti Yacht Service.
The technique and energy that went into the team's food and menus was extremely impressive. Standout dishes included MY Silentworld taking first prize and MY Halo at a close second. The many lethal cocktails prepared by the teams kept the judges entertained and their appetite eager as they determined the winners for 2018.
Pat McLoughlin Yacht Agent – Broker from Australian Superyacht Services Queensland said "We sampled some of the most amazing meals prepared in under an hour from some very talented Superyacht crew. It was like splitting hairs to find the winner. The outrageous dress ups made for a fun relaxing evening of laughter and building relationships."
The main prize for the hotly contested competition was 1 week's complimentary accommodation at Rivergate's Gold Coast Unit in Southport with any visit to Rivergate Marina & Shipyard along with 4 double passes to Tropical Fruit World in Queensland Australia, including one weeks complimentary berthage at Cairns Marlin Marina in Australia.
Prizes included an array of local vouchers; brunch at the Pink Coconut, cocktails at the Manava Resort, local Tahitian rum thanks to Millesime and flight training thanks to the generosity of Tahiti Ocean.
Congratulations went to MY Silentworld who presented a very remarkable dish, with the taste and amazing use of the Australian ingredients, they were graded with the highest marks. Second prize went to MY Halo whose use of ingredients were extremely clever. As runners up 4th and 5th prize winners received a bottle of Bunderberg rum thanks to International Paint & Awlgrip. Crew that did not win were not left empty handed and received a packet of the all-time Australian favourite - Tim Tams.
Kevin Altera GM Shipyard Operations & Business Development at Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard said "the level of finesse, presentation and quality was extraordinary, couple this with the amount of thought and effort the various teams went to with their costumes made the job of judging a very daunting proposition."
"The scoring of all the judges was hair splittingly close and it became a factor of the total picture that we finally decided on the winners. Congratulations to the crew of MY Silent World, who started out with invites at lunch to the BBQ that were appropriately pirate themed and carried this on right through to the end of their service, very well done!"
Prior to the announcement of the winners, guests were privileged to witness a traditional Tahitian dance performance. Thanks, must go to Manoa Rey at Tahiti Tourism for his support, the performance is always well received by all in attendance and adds to the night.
The marina was full and crew enjoyed the night dancing to the incredibly talented local band. Crew and Captains were incredibly grateful for the hospitality of the Australians and look forward to the next rendezvous.
Superyacht Australia would not have been able to put this event on without the support of key businesses in the superyacht industry. Key sponsors of this event were the Australian International Marine Export Group, Superyacht Australia, Rivergate Marina & Shipyard, Australian Superyacht Services Queensland, International Paint & AwlGrip, Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard, Penske Power Systems (MTU), Pantaenius, Super Yacht Group Great Barrier Reef, Tahiti Tourism, The Yard Brisbane and the Australian Trade Commission.
Steve Fisher, Director of International Business at Rivergate Marina & Shipyard said "Friday's annual Australian Tahitian SuperYacht Rendezvous was a 'not to be missed event' with yachts steaming back from the outer islands to join in. The spirit and effort the crew go to participate is to be applauded. The Australian Tahiti Rendezvous is an event like no other and is an excellent opportunity for members of the Australian Superyacht Industry to build relationships with our Tahitian colleagues, Tahiti Tourism and Tahiti agents as well as connect with Captains that are in Tahiti. Bring on the 2019 rendezvous - Rivergate will be back next year."
The local superyacht industry in Tahiti contribute significantly to the overall success of the event, in particular Tehani Fiedler-Valenta owner of Tahiti Crew, Tahiti Ocean, Tahiti Yacht Support and Seal Superyachts Tahiti.
Superyacht Australia advise dates for the 7th Rendezvous will be released shortly.