Plymouth berthing assistant Corey Murray has been singled out for praise after being named one of the 10 best marina employees working at the world’s most superior marinas. Corey, a berthing assistant at the 5 Gold Anchor rated Sutton Harbour Marina based in the historic heart of Plymouth, was judged by berth holders as one of the top 10 staff members who ‘made a difference’ in Gold Anchor Marinas worldwide at the Marina of the Year Awards 2021.
The prestigious awards from the Yacht Harbour Association and sponsors Towergate Insurance saw Corey shortlisted as one of the best 10 staff members from amongst many thousands of marina workers employed at more than 160 Gold Anchor accredited marinas around the world. The honour is especially rewarding given that the Marina of the Year Awards are voted on directly by berth holders.
Corey, who has been working at Sutton Harbour Marina for three years, said he was “very surprised and a bit embarrassed” to learn he’d been honoured at the awards. “I had no idea it was happening but I’m really happy,” Corey said. “I don’t get awards, I certainly don’t look for them, but it was really appreciated. I’d like to thank all of the berth holders who took the time to nominate me, I’m very grateful.”
Corey joined Sutton Harbour Marina from his previous post at Plymouth Fisheries and enjoys working outdoors in the historic harbour, helping berth holders and keeping the marina in good order. He said: “I like being outside most of the time, it’s such a beautiful environment in Sutton Harbour, and I really like interacting with the berth holders. I get on with everyone, they’re all friends. A normal day for me is usually working in customer services, helping with cleaning up the harbour and general maintenance, going out on the litter boat, and walking around the pontoons, helping berth holders with anything they need.”
The 31-year-old who lives in Plymouth with his partner and stepson said he thought his positive attitude was the key to delivering good customer service. “I don’t find that hard as I’m quite a happy person, and I think just to be happy is key, just be yourself, and I always offer my services, whether a berth holder asks or not; I’m here to do a job, and I want to do it the best that I can,” Corey added.
Sutton Harbour Marina is renowned for its excellent customer service, along with its unique location in the historic heart of Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City, between the city and the sea. Berth holders benefit from the close proximity to the famous waterfront and historic Barbican area with its wealth of harbourside restaurants, bars, visitor attractions and shops, and Sutton Harbour also offers a safe haven for boat owners, with exceptionally safe berthing thanks to the 24/7 manned double lock gates which protect from all weathers.
Mark Brimacombe, Sutton Harbour Marina Manager, said: “Customer service is at the heart of everything we do at Sutton Harbour Marina, and we strive to offer a truly exceptional service to our berth holders. Corey exemplifies that, and we are absolutely delighted that one of our team has been honoured as one of the top 10 staff members making a difference in marinas across the world. “There are many thousands of staff working in Gold Anchor marinas worldwide so Corey’s shortlisting is something really special for Sutton Harbour and for Plymouth, and we are very proud of him.”
Sutton Harbour Marina and its sister marina King Point Marina at Millbay, which are both owned and operated by Sutton Harbour Group, remained open throughout 2020 and 2021 during the UK-wide lockdowns, with staff working hard to take care of vessels when travel restrictions meant berth holders could not visit their boats. Sutton Harbour Marina offers berths for 420 vessels of up to 40 metres in length, including custom-designed berths for multi-hulls such as catamaran or trimaran vessels, and berths for jet skis or personal watercraft.
King Point Marina provides berthing for up to 151 sailing yachts or motor boats ranging from 7.5 metres to 25 metres. The marina expanded this spring to become fully built with the addition of a new arm offering four new 15 metre berthing spaces following a further investment by Sutton Harbour Group. Princess Yachts currently occupies 389m of alongside berthing at King Point Marina, 25% of the total berthing space at the marina, in addition to the 151 available berths.
Both marinas are staffed and managed by the same team of dedicated personnel.
To find out more, visit https://suttonharbourgroup.com/sutton-harbour-marina or call 01752 204702 to chat to a member of the berthing team, or email marina@sutton-harbour.co.uk.
You can follow the marina on Facebook at www.facebook.com/suttonharbourmarina and on Twitter at @SuttonHMarina
