THE manager of Largs Yacht Haven has become one of only a handful of marina bosses worldwide to secure a much-sought-after global qualification.

Dave Hewitt has now been certified by the Global Marina Institute as a 'certified marina manager'.

The course, run in partnership with British Marine and the Marine Industries Association, is only available to marina staff with several years of management experience, that meet a turnover threshold, and have at least 100 berths.

Dave joined Largs Yacht Haven in 1999 as a young marina assistant, alongside his volunteering duties with the Largs RNLI lifeboat, and took on the management of Largs Yacht Haven in early 2022.

Yacht Havens director Carolyn Elder said: “Dave progressed his way up through the marina team as well as becoming helmsman and mechanic at the lifeboat, establishing himself as a vital figure within the local boating community. 

"We’re so proud that he has achieved certified marina manager status and that the Yacht Haven is in safe hands under his supervision.”

Dave commented: “I’m hugely grateful to the company for giving me the opportunity to manage Largs Yacht Haven, and to get the qualification needed to provide me and the marina team with the theory and confidence to run a professional, safe marina operation.”

“We have an exciting 2024 coming up with our 40th birthday and our flagship regatta,the Largs Regatta Festival, in late August.”