Marina Kawage, located in Ise Bay, Japan, has upgraded its vessel handling infrastructure with the installation of a new 50BFMII boat hoist from U.S.-based Marine Travelift. The new hoist replaces a 35-tonne model that had been in operation since the marina’s opening in 1993, enabling the marina to safely and efficiently lift vessels of up to 50 metric tonnes to meet increasing demand for larger yachts.
The marina is one of nine facilities in the Japan Alliance network and benefits from a central location on Honshu, which offers convenient access to urban centres and coastal tourist destinations.
Kensuke Ochiai, Senior Managing Director, said, “We began considering a larger capacity machine due to the age of our current unit, ensuring safety and increasing capacity, which in turn increases the number of boats we can store. Being able to make a large investment has also increased the company’s credibility and trust.”
The upgraded Marine Travelift is equipped with a wireless remote control for upgraded visibility, a two-speed hoist system, a sailboat top beam extension and a spool piece for potential width expansion in the future. The features aim to improve operations and the lifting process, especially when handling larger or more complex vessels.
Despite challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, such as logistics delays and currency fluctuations, the marina worked closely with Marine Travelift to ensure a smooth installation and successful subsidy application. ‘They [Marine Travelift] handled all the miscellaneous tasks and paperwork required so the approval for the subsidy application was a success,” added Ochiai.
The new hoist complements Marina Kawage’s capacity to accommodate vessels up to 50 metric tonnes in weight. The facility offers berthing and dry storage for up to 380 vessels and includes services such as water and power connections, a refuelling station, trolleys for transport and 24-hour security.
On land, the marina features a seaside hotel, a café and BBQ restaurant and access to recreational activities such as horseback riding along the beach. Other amenities include showers, lockers and a marine shop stocked with accessories and safety equipment.
Marina Kawage is also home to the Mie Marine Centre, which offers education and group accommodation facilities, as well as regular events like fishing tournaments and cruising meetups to support the local community.
