ABBRA Annual Awards to be presented June 26

Double Honors to be presented to Hodgdon Yachts, East Boothbay and Southport, Maine; recipients of the American Boat Builder & Repairer Association’s (ABBRA) 2015 Boatyard of the Year and Boat Builder of the Year Awards. Michael Keyworth receives the prestigious Dennis Snow President’s Award and John Williams Boat Company receives the 2015 Excellence in Customer Care Award.

ABBRA’s first Boat Builder of the Year and the 2015 Boatyard of the Year awards will be presented to Hodgdon Yachts and Hodgdon Yacht Services at the American Boat Builders & Repairers Association (ABBRA) Annual Award Ceremony & Symposium to be held in Portland, Maine on June 26 and 27, 2016. The Boat Builder of the Year award recognizes a boat building facility whose building process and product has made a lasting contribution to the recreational marine industry. The Boatyard of the Year award is given to the boatyard facility that demonstrates excellence in all facets of their company.

From wooden schooners in the 19th century to prepreg carbon vessels in the 21st century, the five generations of Hodgdon boat builders is the longest history of a family of boat builders in the U.S. Since it began in 1816, Hodgdon has evolved into a leader in advanced composite construction, while maintaining exceptional skills for traditional building techniques. The shipyard has launched over 400 vessels and most recently has been recognized for its groundbreaking work for the build of Comanche, a 100-foot-long carbon fiber racing yacht, in only 13 months. Hodgdon Yacht Services marked the expansion of Hodgdon Yachts into the yacht and pleasure boat repair and refit sector in 2014. The full service company now offers maintenance, repair, and refit services for recreational boats, yachts and superyachts, dockage and storage.

The President’s Award is being presented to Michael Keyworth for his significant and lasting contribution to the boatyard industry. He has promoted and supported environmental awareness and stewardship in the boatyard industry for many years, including working with Sea Grant on a modeling program that will help marinas and other coastal businesses adapt their facilities for potential sea-level rise. Keyworth has been a leader on the legislative front in Rhode Island regarding matters that affect the industry, and he has been a champion of workforce development and technical training, helping to develop industry recognized technical training programs. Michael Keyworth joins a distinguished group of industry leaders who have received this award.

The Excellence in Customer Care Award will be presented to John Williams Boat Company, a full service boatyard and custom boat builder who has built a successful business by consistently focusing on customer satisfaction. John Williams Boat Company was founded over 40 years ago as a quality boatbuilding company. When the company added full repair and refit services, they continued to give each customer their undivided attention, which has earned their customer’s loyalty for many years.

For more information on ABBRA’s annual awards’ categories and nomination process, or for information on how to attend the ABBRA awards ceremony and symposium please visit www.abbra.org.

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