Ken MacDonald, Certified Marina Manager (CMM)

–   Marine Professional of the Year Award   –

Blending Fun and Boating Safety – The Consummate Mix Master

Ken MacDonald puts the professional in Marine Professional. For over 35 years, Ken’s career has been devoted to the marine industry. Today, he is Director of Marina Operations for Parkbridge Lifestyle Communities in Ontario, and has more than 2,200 slips under his direction.

What does it mean to be a marine professional? It means CMM accreditation; it means Board membership with the international Association of Marine Industries; it means involvement in the Georgian College Marine Technology Program, and the Board of Association of Marine Industries; presidency of the Ontario Marine Operators Association; membership in the National Marine Manufacturers Association’s Boat Show advisory committee, and that’s just a start.

It also means being committed to boating safety in every way possible. Ken has led a successful boating rendezvous for the past two decades, encouraging and teaching new boaters about safety and waterway passage techniques. He always stresses the importance of boating safety and lifejacket wear, and provides them free of charge to both students and staff. He has a monthly safety check at all Parkbridge properties to test for electrical current in the water. He invites the Canadian Coast Guard to Parkbridge’s annual Deal Day so they can offer up free safety checks for member boaters. His technicians and marina staff are well versed in boating safety and trained up to industry standards. He leaves nothing to chance.

Safety also means attention to detail – an attribute Ken has demonstrated repeatedly. A captain on a trip with his new boat struck a large tow line in the water. He soon learned that the line was attached to a sunken sailboat lost the previous year and the line had been there since then; after mentioning it to Ken, Ken took no time to report the incident to the Canadian Coast Guard, have the line removed the same day and make sure the potential for catastrophe was eliminated.

And, last but not least, safety means leadership. When approached to help with a pilot boating event in the community, Ken ensured not only its success for its 2013 launch, but that it would be the first of many annual events. He secured the participation of the Ontario Provincial Police marine, and the Canadian Coast Guard supported the communications needs of the organizers. The 2014 event promises a valuable opportunity to promote safe boating practices to all that participate. And none of it would have been possible without Ken MacDonald’s active support and involvement.

Bravo Zulu, Ken, for your professionalism.

Ken MacDonald of Parkbridge Lifestyle Communities accepts the Marine Professional of the Year Award from the CSBC’s Ted Rankine.