ROBBREPORT.COM 77
WATER | Dream MachinesAndy Ridley
The CEO of Citizens of the Great
Barrier Reef is on a mission to
preserve reefs around the world,
one fish at a time.Stretching an incredible 1,250 miles,
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site, is home to more than
1,500 species of fish and one-third of the
world’s soft coral. With the reef’s health
in danger, Citizens of the Great Barrier
Reef (citizensgbr.org) is working to inspire
collaboration and action from people
everywhere—especially yacht owners. J.Z.What is the biggest threat facing the Great
Barrier Reef? Climate change. The reef is a
massive ecosystem but is very well managed,
so while the effect of warmer and more acidic
ocean water so far has been substantial in
some areas (such as coral bleaching), the reef
is still extraordinary.Can the reef recover from coral bleach-
ing? If given time, yes, it can recover, and we
have seen many signs of recovery across the
reef already, including new forms of super-
coral that appear to be able to withstand the
impact of warmer seas. The issue is that we
are facing more frequent incidences of bleach-
ing and more powerful cyclones, hurricanes
and typhoons, all of which can decimate the
reef even several meters below the surface.What are you doing at Citizens of the
Great Barrier Reef to help? Part of our
mission is to bring the story of the reef to
people across the planet, so we created a
program called Reef Tracks (reeftracks.org),
which follows the journeys taken by a host
of different reef animals, such as whale
sharks, turtles and manta rays that have been
satellite tagged.
Another of our most ambitious projects
so far is the Great Reef Census, which aims
to establish a broad snapshot of the reef’s
status in a way that is credible, scientifically
sound and provides valuable insights for its
management, while also mobilizing the global
community in its ongoing protection.How can people get involved? As part of
the census, we will be putting out a global ask
for superyachts to help us put trackers on
marine animals in reefs around the world.Q&A
Luštica Bay
THE LOCATION: Montenegro, along the Adriatic Sea, about 140 miles from Port of Split,
Croatia.
SLIPS: 176 total planned, but only 85 complete so far; for vessels up to 147 feet.
DETAILS: This planned port is entirely new and still being built, taking inspiration from
Côte d’Azur seaside villages. Currently the boutique Chedi Luštica Bay hotel and
spa are on-site, but six more resorts and plentiful dining and shopping venues are
in the works.
UNIQUE FEATURES: A driving range and eventually a nine-hole golf course; access to
nearby hiking and a private beach.
BEST SUITED FOR: Yachties looking for lots of company and needing a few days on land.Port Denarau Marina
THE LOCATION: Fiji, in the heart of the South Pacific between Momi passage and
Lautoka.
SLIPS: 56, for vessels up to 280 feet; and 16 swing moorings.
DETAILS: A new Bellingham Marine floating jetty can accommodate superyachts.
UNIQUE FEATURES: First marina in the South Pacific to be accredited Level 3 Clean
Marina and Fish Friendly status; live music, a new retail center, nine bars and
restaurants, medical services, trike and Jet Ski rentals.
BEST SUITED FOR: Island hoppers looking to sail to Fiji’s more than 330 tropical isles.Coral Sea Marina|Resort
THE LOCATION: The Whitsunday Islands, on the coast of Queensland, Australia.
SLIPS: 520 total, with a few for vessels up to 260 feet.
DETAILS: Thanks to berths with 16-foot draft, boats can dock here year-round and
enjoy the beauty of the Whitsundays.
UNIQUE FEATURES: Local suppliers deliver fresh meats, seafood and produce to
the marina directly; two helipads for guests’ use; Jet Ski and jet-boating adven-
tures; on-site Ocean Club spa for massages and manicures; and complimentary
concierge cars.
BEST SUITED FOR: Adrenaline junkies looking for adventure.WWWANDY RIDLEY ILLUSTRATION BY JOEL KIMMELROBBREPORT.COM 77
WATER | Dream MachinesAndy Ridley
The CEO of Citizens of the Great
Barrier Reef is on a mission to
preserve reefs around the world,
one fish at a time.Stretching an incredible 1,250 miles,
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site, is home to more than
1,500 species of fish and one-third of the
world’s soft coral. With the reef’s health
in danger, Citizens of the Great Barrier
Reef (citizensgbr.org) is working to inspire
collaboration and action from people
everywhere—especially yacht owners. J.Z.What is the biggest threat facing the Great
Barrier Reef? Climate change. The reef is a
massive ecosystem but is very well managed,
so while the effect of warmer and more acidic
ocean water so far has been substantial in
some areas (such as coral bleaching), the reef
is still extraordinary.Can the reef recover from coral bleach-
ing? If given time, yes, it can recover, and we
have seen many signs of recovery across the
reef already, including new forms of super-
coral that appear to be able to withstand the
impact of warmer seas. The issue is that we
are facing more frequent incidences of bleach-
ing and more powerful cyclones, hurricanes
and typhoons, all of which can decimate the
reef even several meters below the surface.What are you doing at Citizens of the
Great Barrier Reef to help? Part of our
mission is to bring the story of the reef to
people across the planet, so we created a
program called Reef Tracks (reeftracks.org),
which follows the journeys taken by a host
of different reef animals, such as whale
sharks, turtles and manta rays that have been
satellite tagged.
Another of our most ambitious projects
so far is the Great Reef Census, which aims
to establish a broad snapshot of the reef’s
status in a way that is credible, scientifically
sound and provides valuable insights for its
management, while also mobilizing the global
community in its ongoing protection.How can people get involved? As part of
the census, we will be putting out a global ask
for superyachts to help us put trackers on
marine animals in reefs around the world.Q&A
Luštica Bay
THE LOCATION:Montenegro, along the Adriatic Sea, about 140 miles from Port of Split,
Croatia.
SLIPS:176 total planned, but only 85 complete so far; for vessels up to 147 feet.
DETAILS:This planned port is entirely new and still being built, taking inspiration from
Côte d’Azur seaside villages. Currently the boutique Chedi Luštica Bay hotel and
spa are on-site, but six more resorts and plentiful dining and shopping venues are
in the works.
UNIQUE FEATURES:A driving range and eventually a nine-hole golf course; access to
nearby hiking and a private beach.
BEST SUITED FOR:Yachties looking for lots of company and needing a few days on land.
Port Denarau Marina
THE LOCATION:Fiji, in the heart of the South Pacific between Momi passage and
Lautoka.
SLIPS:56, for vessels up to 280 feet; and 16 swing moorings.
DETAILS:A new Bellingham Marine floating jetty can accommodate superyachts.
UNIQUE FEATURES:First marina in the South Pacific to be accredited Level 3 Clean
Marina and Fish Friendly status; live music, a new retail center, nine bars and
restaurants, medical services, trike and Jet Ski rentals.
BEST SUITED FOR:Island hoppers looking to sail to Fiji’s more than 330 tropical isles.
Coral Sea Marina|Resort
THE LOCATION: The Whitsunday Islands, on the coast of Queensland, Australia.
SLIPS: 520 total, with a few for vessels up to 260 feet.
DETAILS: Thanks to berths with 16-foot draft, boats can dock here year-round and
enjoy the beauty of the Whitsundays.
UNIQUE FEATURES: Local suppliers deliver fresh meats, seafood and produce to
the marina directly; two helipads for guests’ use; Jet Ski and jet-boating adven-
tures; on-site Ocean Club spa for massages and manicures; and complimentary
concierge cars.
BEST SUITED FOR: Adrenaline junkies looking for adventure.
WWW
ANDY RIDLEY ILLUSTRATION BY JOEL KIMMEL