MIAPBC presents Beacon of Light Awards

RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. – Four individuals and organizations were recipients of the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Inc. Beacon of Light Awards for their support of the county’s $1.35 billion marine industry, according to a statement from the organization.

The awards were presented recently at the MIAPBC’s annual meeting at Old Port Cove Yacht Club in North Palm Beach, Fla.

Beacon of Light Awards were given in four categories: Marine Advocate of the Year, which was awarded to Florida Inland Navigation District and David Roach, its executive director; Marine Project of the Year, which was awarded to Loggerhead Club & Marina – Riviera Beach; Member of the Year, which was given to Martin Murphy, Sr.; and the Marine Excellence in Media Award, which was presented to Aderman and Associates Film and Video.

Each of the Beacon of Light Award winners received an engraved award featuring a scale replica of the Jupiter Lighthouse, designed and created by artist Jack Dupuis of Jupiter.

Marine Advocate of the Year is presented to an individual, group or organization whose work is recognized as supporting, promoting and protecting the sound growth of the marine industry in Palm Beach County for the benefit and education of the boating public and the environment. As this year’s recipient, FIND and Roach were recognized for taking a leading role in such projects as Peanut Island Restoration, and grants to local governments for water access, boat ramps, marinas, piers, boating destinations and environmental education. As a member of the MIABPC Board of Directors, Roach chaired the first-ever Marine Summit in Palm Beach County, bringing together community leaders and emergency operations specialists to discuss what everyone learned during last year’s hurricane season, and to determine how communities can better prepare for future seasons on the county’s waterways.

The Marine Project of the Year is awarded to the person or organization who initiated, is responsible for, defended, promoted or otherwise supported a project that enhances boating opportunities in the Palm Beaches. Loggerhead Club & Marina Riviera Beachä, located just north of Blue Heron Boulevard on the Intracoastal Waterway, received this award for its significant impact on increasing public access to the Intracoastal at a time when waterway access is a most pressing issue both locally and statewide.

Loggerhead Club & Marina Riviera Beachä, will bring public access to the Intracoastal Waterway and the northern section of the Lake Worth Lagoon and will provide for the safe harbor and storage of larger boats. Seven Kings Holdings, Inc. is the owner, operator and developer of the Loggerhead Club & Marinaä brand. Seven Kings Holdings partners, Raymond Graziotto and JC Solomon II accepted the award.

MIAPBC Member of the Year Martin (Marty) Murphy, Sr. is one of the owners of The Murphy Construction Co., which was started by his father in the early 1920s. The Murphy Construction Co. helped build many of the first roads, bridges, water and sewer systems in Palm Beach County. Dredging canals, the port and channels in Lake Worth led to work in marine construction. Soon the company was building bulkheads, piers, docks, jetties and ocean groins. In 1976, Cracker Boy Boat Works, Inc. was established in Riviera Beach as a result of involvement with marine construction. It is one of the only remaining do-it-yourself boatyards in South Florida. Murphy has served on the MIAPBC board since 1995, and as president from 2002 – 2003. He often works behind the scenes with elected officials to keep marine issues on the front burner. He is also a longtime board member of the Marine Industries Association of Florida and assists with MIAPBC lobbying efforts in Tallahassee.

The Marine Excellence in Media Award is presented to an individual, publication or media outlet that has demonstrated excellence in helping to create a better informed boating public. Jeff Aderman is the president of Aderman and Associates Film and
Video in West Palm Beach, and also is the executive producer of “Reel Adventures.” Aderman began producing the saltwater fishing show in 2000. The show now has a national audience of 30 million households. For the past two years, Aderman has produced – free of charge – quality television public service announcements promoting the Holiday Boat Parade of the Palm Beaches and the Boca Raton Holiday Boat Parade.

• For more of the latest news, click here.