The Man Who Brought the World's Top Marina Award to Hong Kong

Hong Kong – 29 May 2025 – When Andrew Chapman, the man who literally wrote the book on what makes a great marina, stepped onto the docks at Lantau Yacht Club, he wasn’t just there for a friendly visit. He was there to judge. As President of the Marina Industries Association (MIA), Chapman is the final word on which marinas get to call themselves the best in the world. After a tough review checking over 90 different points—from the width of the docks to the quality of the Wi-Fi—the verdict was in: Lantau Yacht Club (LYC) had earned the 5 Gold Anchor Platinum award.

This isn’t just another trophy for the cabinet. It makes LYC the first and only marina in Hong Kong to reach this level, a status shared by only a tiny fraction—the top 5%—of marinas globally. It’s a clear signal that Hong Kong is now a serious player on the world’s superyacht map.

"Lantau Yacht Club, Hong Kong's first 5 Gold Anchor Platinum marina, sets a new standard for maritime excellence in Asia."

What Does It Actually Take to Be Platinum?

Getting a 5 Gold Anchor Platinum award is notoriously difficult. The MIA sends assessors who spend days picking apart every detail of the facility. They talk to the staff, they interview the boat owners, and they measure the marina against a list of standards that Chapman himself helped create over his 30-year career. LYC scored an impressive 95.24%. The assessors noted the practical, real-world details that make a difference to captains and crew: the 5-meter-wide concrete pontoons that are broad enough for two golf carts to pass, the reliable shore power for even the most demanding superyachts, and the deep-water berths ready to welcome ships up to 100 meters long. They also received the "Superyacht Ready" seal of approval, confirming the club can handle the complex needs of the world’s largest private vessels.

The Chapman Standard

For over three decades, Andrew Chapman has been on a mission to professionalize the marina business. He saw a scattered industry and pushed it to adopt a single, high standard of quality. His philosophy is simple but powerful: “A great marina is more than just a place to dock a boat—it’s the heart of a community. By raising our standards, we lift the entire waterfront.”

Based in Hong Kong/Australia, Chapman runs Gulf Marina Management (GMM) and has brought his expertise to projects across the Asia-Pacific. When he puts his name on an accreditation, it carries the weight of a career spent defining excellence. His personal visit to LYC for the final sign-off wasn’t just a formality; it was the ultimate stamp of approval from the industry’s most respected authority.

Andrew Chapman, President of the Marina Industries Association (MIA), whose global standards for marina quality guided LYC's path to Platinum status.

More Than Just a Place to Park a Boat

For the team at Lantau Yacht Club, this award is the result of a five-year plan. Frankie Mak, the Executive Vice President of Hospitality for LYC’s parent company, HKR International, explained that the goal was never just to operate a marina. “We’re now curating a complete yachting experience that will cement Hong Kong’s status as Asia’s definitive superyacht hub,” he said.

This means focusing on the details that matter to high-end clients: 24/7 assistance from a well-trained dockside team, a high-end concierge that can handle any request, and a social calendar that makes the club a destination in itself. It’s about building a reputation not just for having the best hardware, but for providing the best service.

The Platinum award is recognition that this vision is now a reality. With Andrew Chapman’s official endorsement, Lantau Yacht Club has firmly established itself as a world-class destination, ready to welcome the most discerning members of the global yachting community to the heart of the Greater Bay Area.

The state-of-the-art facilities at LYC include 5-meter-wide pontoons and berths for superyachts up to 100 meters.

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Learn from the Leaders Shaping Asia's Yachting Future

Andrew Chapman's commitment to raising standards extends beyond his work with the MIA. As the Deputy Chairman and Chief of Marina Management for the Greater Bay Area Yacht & Cruise Industry Association (GBAYCIA), he is actively working to transform the entire region into a world-class yachting destination.

GBAYCIA is the driving force behind this transformation, bringing together industry leaders, government partners, and key stakeholders to build a prosperous and globally recognized maritime future for the Greater Bay Area.

To learn more about how GBAYCIA is shaping the future of yachting in Asia and to join the conversation, visit www.gbaycia.org and consider becoming a member today.