The board of directors of the Ferretti Group appointed Ferruccio Rossi general manager of its Riva business unit. After graduating with a business degree, Rossi established a career in finance with several high-profile companies, such as KPMG Consulting, ING Barings and J.P. Morgan, providing him a solid background to strengthen Riva’s management team. Rossi joins the company after serving as director of Permira & Associates in Milan, where he also had a supervisory role. Visit www.riva-yacht.com

On October 1, Brooks Marine Group (BMG) celebrated the official opening of its third office, this one located on the waterfront of the Intracoastal Waterway in Wilmington, North Carolina. This new facility is part of an aggressive expansion plan forged by the Fort Lauderdale–based marine-industry recruiting firm. The office will primarily serve clients in the Carolinas, Georgia and Tennessee. BMG’s other offices in Newport, Rhode Island, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, will continue to cater to customers throughout New England, the Midwest, the Pacific Northwest and Europe. BMG also operates www.careerboat.com, a successful online job site that advertises employment opportunities in the marine industry. Visit www.brooksmarinegroup.com

Steven Barnett, chairman of Worldspan Marine, recently announced the acquisition of Crescent Custom Yachts of Maple Ridge, British Columbia. Crescent produces yachts between 95 and 125 feet and is best known for its builds Nectar of the Gods and Valkyrie. In 2000, Crescent was the first builder in North America to receive full MCA compliance on a fiberglass motor yacht and has built for ABS, Bureau Veritas and French Affaire Maritime as well. Crescent joins Queenship Marine in the Worldspan corporate structure. Barnett reported that Worldspan will continue its expansion, which will include further acquisitions as opportunities arise. “It is our desire to become a full-service operation within the marine sector, encompassing all facets of the ever-expanding yachting community. Our goal is to cover all potential needs of the industry, from new-builds and service to, ultimately, moorage.” Visit www.worldspan.com

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International recognized seven new products with NMMA Innovation Awards and one product with the new Environmental Innovation Award. The announcements were made at the Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show. The products were Clean Water Solution’s Oil Eradicator (Boat Care & Coatings); Navionic’s Charting System (Electronics); Humminbird’s 987c SI Combo (Electronics); Garelick’s Hydraulic Lift Outboard Motor Bracket (Hardware, Rigging, Rope & Anchoring); Volvo Penta’s Q-L Boat Trim System (Propulsion); Mari-Tech Industries’ Wireless Lanyard (Safety Products); and Air-Tight’s E-Axle (Trailers, Parts & Accessories). Visit www.nmma.org

CRN, builder of Custom Line yachts, has changed its logo on new builds in an effort to improve brand recognition. The boats will feature the Custom Line name instead of the Double F logo of parent company Ferretti Group. The Custom Line logo will also be the leitmotif on all personalized items on each boat. The recently launched Navetta 30 #12 and the Custom Line 112 #06 Camarik are the first vessels with the new logo. CRN builds five Custom Line models: the 94, 112, 128, as well as the Navetta 30 and Navetta 43. Visit CRN at www.customline-yachts.com

The Newport Yachting Center will host the 15th annual Wooden Boat Show August 25 to 27, 2006. The show will present traditional classics and contemporary wooden boats of every type, including cruising yachts, runabouts and performance powerboats. Visitors will be able to view a combination of boats representing yesterday’s craftsmanship and today’s technology, including advanced adhesives and coatings. This unique event will also feature products and services by 150 North American companies. Visit www.thewoodenboatshow.com

Industry newcomer Global Ship Systems, a megayacht repair and refit facility based in Savannah, Georgia, experienced a successful first year. CEO Rob Creech attributes this to his team of project managers, including Chris Bennett, Frank Hohenhouse, Cory Hollins, Steven Pinkerton and Bryan Roux. The company’s portfolio of recent work—Lady Joy, Jo and Reverie—is impressive, and its reputation has already flourished in the marine community from repeat customers voicing the company motto: “on-time, on-budget, with the right attitude.” Visit www.globalshipsystems.comTrinity Yachts recently announced the purchase of a second shipyard, which is located in Gulfport, Mississippi. Despite damage from Hurricane Katrina to its New Orleans yard, Trinity will move ahead with the planned purchase, using the new facility for repair and refit. With more than nine acres of covered building area on approximately 50 acres of land, the Gulfport facility doubles Trinity’s capacity and enables the builder to increase volume and reduce delivery time for new-build projects. The combined facilities provide Trinity the capacity to build eight to 10 yachts a year at lengths of up to 400 feet. The Gulfport facility will also include 100 housing units for displaced employees and sub-contractors directly affected by the hurricane. Visit www.trinityyachts.com

In September, the Cannes International Boat Show welcomed high-ranking representatives from Shanghai’s premier yachting district as they officially launched the Fengxian Yachting Urban Development. With land that extends over 15 miles, the Shanghai Fengxian is China’s largest single area dedicated to recreational yachting. It will serve as the hub for a rapidly developing leisure marine region that will include marinas, exhibition facilities, a yacht-building and repair industrial zone and related tourism activities. Call 86 1368 1800 581 to find out more.

Rolex has added yet another prestigious sailing event to its long list of sponsored regattas. Assuming the role as title sponsor of this year’s 39th annual Antigua Sailing Week, Rolex, which has sponsored the International Rolex Regatta for 33 years, now counts two Caribbean favorites under its wing. Running from April 30 through May 6, the 2006 edition of Sailing Week—the “granddaddy” of regattas in the Caribbean—will attract 200 spectator yachts, more than 1,500 participants and 5,000 spectators to the island. The races span five days, and there is an additional Bareboat Championship Race on the sixth day. Visit www.rolex.com

Derecktor Shipyards announced the hiring of three professionals to head a revamped marketing and sales department. Heading up the department will be Director of Marketing Amy Giddon, whose previous experience includes a vice presidency at the American Express Company. Marketing manager Brook Streit previously worked as a marketing and advertising manager at Pinnacle Financial in Stamford, Connecticut. Patty Lengel rounds out the team, serving a role in sales and client relations. She has previously worked as the maritime sales manager at MedAir-Medlink and as a crew replacement specialist. Visit www.derecktor.com

Keefe Kaplan Marine (KKMI) has hired a new West Coast fleet manager to focus solely on serving Swan owners. Mark Mohler will assume responsibility for facilitating client relations between the company and existing and new Swan yacht owners. He will also be responsible for Swan activities such as regattas, seminars and social events.

A Swan owner and lifelong sailor, Mohler spent considerable time sailing in Southern California before moving to the Bay Area in 1992. He also boasts an impressive corporate background that will complement his passion for sailing with a high level of professionalism in his new role. Visit www.kkmi.com

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