SAN DIEGO – During the State of the Industry keynote address at Global Superyacht Forum 2008, held recently in Amsterdam, panel members touted the benefits of San Diego as a refit destination for the world’s megayacht fleet.

The annual conference, which attracts hundreds of the yachting industry’s top leaders, including captains, managers and owners, was hosted by The Yacht Report magazine.

Martin Redmayne, the magazine’s founder and publisher, has praised San Diego’s new collective effort to attract megayachts to the region. He had special praise for the formation of the San Diego Superyacht Association (SDSA), which was officially launched May 2008.

Redmayne cited the SDSA’s campaign to tell the story of San Diego, led by its temperate year-round climate, the protected waters of San Diego Bay as well as world-class amenities, restaurants and golf courses – plus the city’s recent upgrade in providing an array of world-class megayacht facilities and services.

“He’s clearly in our corner,” said San Diego-based megayacht designer Doug Sharp, of Sharp Design, who attended the conference along with Terry Ruppert, from Knight & Carver YachtCenter. “In a few months, we’ve created a strong industry alliance, one that rivals any around the world. Martin is very impressed with what we’ve done in such a short time.”

“We’re now in the game as a first-rate cruising destination,” added Sharp. “Based on what I heard at GSF, the megayacht industry has taken notice of San Diego. We’re ready to welcome them here in the coming months and years ahead.”