DANA POINT, CA – August 4, 2022, Bellingham Marine, the world’s leading dock builder, pulls the first pile from the existing C Dock in the West Cove, signaling the long-awaited start of construction on the new marina in Dana Point Harbor. Over the next five years, the marina will be rebuilt in fifteen phases plus an additional two phases in the outer basin.
Joe Ueberroth and his partners, Scott Burnham and Bryon Ward are joined by Supervisor Lisa Bartlett and Mayor Joe Muller along with County, City and OC Parks staff for the pulling of the first pile, commencing the start of the marina’s construction.
The aspiration to revitalize Dana Point Harbor has been in the works for over two decades. However, it has been through Supervisor Lisa Barrett’s vision and commitment to a Private Public Partnership that has made the revitalization a reality over her eight-year term. “Our beloved harbor has served our community well for over fifty years. As we embark on the harbor revitalization, I am excited for all the improvements that are coming that will enhance the experience for all the citizens of greater Orange County as well as for visitors to our harbor from near and far,” stated Supervisor Bartlett.
“As a partnership, we have been committed to having Dana Point Harbor set a new standard for marinas on the West Coast”, said Bryon Ward, President of Burnham Ward Properties and Partner in DPHP. “We immediately embraced Bellingham Marine’s concept of a non-ferrous dock system not only to enhance longevity, but to also reduce the number of pilings in the harbor. This method aligns with the partnerships’ goal to create a more environmentally conscious Harbor, as it also eliminates the need for treated lumber.”
“The new dock system will be enhanced in almost every aspect,” said Joe Ueberroth, the founder of Bellwether Financial Group (Partner in DPHP) and the owner of Bellingham Marine. “The new design addresses both ADA accessibility and public access, the guest services will set a new standard for the West Coast, and the electrical and pump-out systems will meet the needs of boaters for generations to come.”
Bellingham Marine conducted a pre-construction meeting with County and City officials and staff on Thursday describing phasing plans, building BMPs, and construction logistics. “The Bellingham Team will be a fixture in the harbor for the next five years,” said Eric Noegel, General Manager of Bellingham’s Southwest division, “and working for a client that is truly dedicated to the development of a marina that protects the environment while having the longevity to serve the community through its entire leasehold has been inspirational to our R&D, manufacturing, and installation teams.”
Joe Ueberroth is joined by fellow Bellingham team members after the pulling of the first pile.
DPHP has spent millions of dollars and countless hours behind the scenes over the last four years to get to this point where construction is visible in the harbor. “It is difficult for most people to imagine the heavy lifting that takes place during the years prior to commencing construction. We now enter a fun period where the installation teams go to work and the community can witness the transformation of the marina in its 15 phases while we continue to operate as the largest marina on the West Coast,” stated Ueberroth.
About Bellingham Marine
Bellingham Marine is the world’s leading turn-key design-build marina construction company. The company specializes in design, floating docks, platforms, and wave attenuation systems for marinas worldwide. Visit www.bellingham-marine.com for more information.
About Bellwether Financial Group
Bellwether Financial Group is an investment company focused on dynamic companies and iconic properties. Bellwether was founded by Joseph Ueberroth in 1997 with the purpose of investing capital with proven management teams and then working together to build successful companies. For more information, visit www.bellwetherfinancialgroup.com.
About DPHP
Dana Point Harbor Partners, LLC (DPHP), a collaboration created to operate and redevelop Dana Point Harbor in a P-3 partnership with the County of Orange, is made up of three “best in class” real estate development firms, each specializing in a unique product type. Burnham Ward Properties is responsible for stewarding the harbor’s Commercial Core activities featuring the retail, restaurants, offices and other landside buildings, as well as all parkscape areas. Bellwether Financial Group guides the marina operations including the boat slips, boater facilities, dry boat storage, day-boat parking, guest slips, and launch ramp areas. R.D. Olson Development leads the hotel redevelopment of the harbor and currently operates the Dana Point Marina Inn.
The partnership is developing a master plan that connects the harbor’s landside and waterside to become a singular cohesive waterfront experience. United by a love of the water and dedicated to preserving Dana Point Harbor’s historical significance, the partnership is applying all areas of respective expertise to ensure every element of the harbor will be thoughtfully designed, redeveloped and managed to be reimagined into a world-class destination with historic roots and local charm.
Bellingham Marine Announces Australasia Transition Plan.
John Spragg (left), Bellingham Marine President of Australasia and the Middle East, has announced his retirement effective July 1, 2021. Bruce Birtwistle (right), General Manager of New Zealand, has been chosen as his successor.
Newport Beach, CA, USA – 17 March 2021 – After 25 years of exemplary service, John Spragg, Bellingham Marine President of Australasia and the Middle East, has announced his retirement effective July 1, 2021. Following his retirement, he will continue to serve as a Director of the company. Bruce Birtwistle has been chosen as John’s successor. Bruce has worked directly for John over the last decade as the General Manager of New Zealand.
Ayia Nappa, Cyprus – 7 August 2020 – The long-held vision of Cypriot Gerry Caramondani, in partnership with Naguib Sawiris, a prominent investor from Egypt, has become a reality with the opening of a 600 slip marina, drystack and the arrival of the first boats in February 2020. Ayia Nappa Marina is approximately 45-minutes east of Larnaca International Airport and 70 minutes from Limassol. The marina is located near the Mediterranean resort town Ayia Nappa, a world-famous holiday destination known for its beaches on the southeast coast of Cyprus.
The marina, built by Bellingham Marine, features full-service finger berthing that provides greater access and ease of mooring for boats up to 30m as well as full-service berthing options for boats up to 65m. “This iconic marina will become the standard that other marinas in the Mediterranean aspire to meet,” says John Spragg, Bellingham Marine’s President of Australasia and the Middle East, “Once boaters use the finger mooring system, they will demand it elsewhere.”
Editor’s Note: Marina Dock Age magazine talked with Joe Ueberroth, owner and CEO of Bellingham Marine. Ueberroth’s investment firm Bellwether is also part owner of Dana Point Harbor Partners, the partnership that is redeveloping Dana Point Harbor in California. In the late 1990s, Ueberroth’s marina management company, BellPort Group, partnered with Nishida Tekko, the owner of Bellingham Marine, to develop and operate marinas in Japan. In 2006, Ueberroth bought Bellingham, through a public company that he was operating at that time. In 2009, his company Bellwether, bought all the Bellingham assets and privatized the company. Ueberroth has an extensive background in investments in a wide range of industries and businesses – from internet companies to hotels, greenhouses and riverboats. As an owner and entrepreneur, he has repeatedly learned, sometimes the hard way, that fundamentals in business do matter. His successes and failures have influenced his business strategy as a dock builder, marine contractor and marina developer. We talked with him about development trends for marinas, aggregation of the industry, the waterfront lifestyle and what all that means for his marina businesses.
Q: How would you describe your experience working internationally and how does that compare to U.S markets?
Ueberroth: The place I’ve had the most international experience is Japan, and in Japan, I quickly realized that there was so much lost in translation. I don’t speak Japanese. I didn’t understand their business environment and what’s important to them. Having great Japanese partners made all the difference.
Most often, the first thing we want to talk about in the U.S. is price. When you meet with a client about a project in Japan, they will say yes to your price for they want to focus on all aspects of quality. When I came to understand from my local partners that price was to be re-negotiated after all other aspects were completed, it removed the frustration from the negotiations.
My experience in Japan influenced how we have expanded Bellingham’s business internationally. We have a couple of plants that we own internationally, but they are all in English speaking countries. In countries where we don’t speak the language, we won’t understand their business. In places, like Korea, China, Japan, Dubai and Spain, we have a local partner.
A new hot spot for tourists, boaters and local residents opened on Lake Macquarie. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held April 18th, marking the completion of phase 1 and the opening of the marina.
Johnson Property Group and key supporters celebrate grand opening of Trinity Point Marina. A luxury boating facility design and built by renowned dock builder Bellingham Marine.
Trinity Point, NSW, Australia – 17 May 2019 – April 18th was a significant milestone for Johnson Property Group and Managing Director, Keith Johnson. Mr. Johnson first began planning Trinity Point in 1999. His vision – a luxury resort destination/residential lakeside development. The development would place Lake Macquarie on the map as favorite spot for locals and travelers alike.
“It’s been a long and challenging journey but worth it,” shared Johnson. “The opening of the marina is a big step forward in the $388 million overall project.”
Former Lake Macquarie Mayor and Local MP, Greg Piper attended the grand opening. Piper echoed the crowds’ comments, “I have to say, everything out here is first class.”
For those seeking best in class marina facilities, look no further than Trinity Point. The marina is a showcase of modern marina construction and environmental responsibility. It also exemplifies the live /play lifestyle younger generations find appealing.
Johnson hired, international marina builder, Bellingham Marine to help with detail design and construction. “It was critical we did the marina right,” said Johnson. “It was a major key to what we aimed to achieve. It had to be something special.”