One of the 2012 International Superyacht Society (ISS) Design & Leadership Awards ceremony’s highlights, was the award for “Business Person of the Year Award.” A well-dressed and enthusiastic audience greeted Dean du Toit, founder of National Marine Suppliers, with a standing ovation as he came to the podium to accept his award. Du Toit, who has made it his life goal to provide the finest and hardest-to-find provisions, supplies and services to yachts for more than 16 years, received a well-deserved accolade from his peers. A native of South Africa, Dean du Toit began his career on the water at a very young age by repairing outboard engines. He moved to the United States at the age of 13 and became a US citizen. After graduating college with degrees in business marketing, corporate finance and professional photography, he jumped on a yacht for a quick two-week charter and never looked back. He worked as a deckhand, engineer, first mate and captain and later identified a need in the yachting community for a reliable supply chain at wholesale pricing and with professional delivery. In 1990 he founded National Marine Suppliers (NMS), a company that provides hands-on and worldwide logistics to yacht owners and crew. Today, NMS has offices in Fort Lauderdale, Italy, Germany and St. Maarten.

2012 ISS winners:

Excellence in Innovation:
Marcel Onkenhout of Oceanco

Distinguished Crew Award:
Capt. Len Beck of the M/V Battered Bull

ISS Fabien Cousteau Blue Award:
Chicago Park District & Westrec Marinas

2012 Leadership Award:
Terence Disdale of Terence Disdale Designs

2012 Business Person of the Year Award:
Dean Du Toit of National Marine Suppliers

2012 ISS Design Award winners:
Best Sail, 24-40m: Antares III
Best Sail, Larger than 40m: Vertigo
Best Refit: Endeavour JK4
Best Power, 24-40m: O’Pati
Best Power, 40-65m: Galileo G
Best Power, Larger than 65m: Musashi
Best Interior: Musashi

For more information, see superyachtsociety.org