Nomination Guide

Boat Builder Awards non-voting secretary Kim Hollamby answers 10 FAQs to help maximise your chance of having a nomination accepted and ultimately winning a category. 

1. How much does it cost to enter the Boat Builder Awards and how many nominations can I make?

There is no charge to make a nomination. You can enter as many times as you like, but each entry must be unique and not a duplicate. You can nominate your own business, or you can raise awareness of something or someone deserving of recognition with whom you have no specific connection. We want to hear about the very best of happening in the boat building and superyacht construction worlds over the past year since 1 September 2024.

The same boat or initiative can be entered in multiple categories provided that the nominations comply with the terms for each category. Nominations must offer relevant statements and information for each category (ie not duplicate entries posted against multiple categories). 

2. What will give my entry the best of chances?

Please help the judges to understand why your boat, design feature, product, innovation, or person is the best of the entries we receive by providing plenty of fact-based information to support your claim.

The judging is predominantly undertaken online. All Boat Builder Awards judges are fluent in English, but for some this is a second language and absolute clarity of nominations is vital. 

Please include:

• a clear explanation of what is being entered; and
• an easily understood statement of why it should win.

The judges on our panel have a broad blend of technical skills and experience. Their understanding of the nomination works best if they are provided with logical information rather than subjective marketing-led statements.

Evidence-based facts will always be welcome. Videos and relevant accompanying information will be considered carefully in addition to written statements. You should find this easy to add these to the entry portal. If you have any problems submitting material, please email boatbuilderawards@ibinews.com for assistance.

3. Where can I obtain guidance on the exact requirements for each category?

The judging panel will consider six key categories for this year. You can read the definitions of each of them at www.ibinews.com/bba2025/categories-2025. Please also read the terms and conditions here – www.ibinews.com/bba2025/enter-now/terms-and-conditions

Please consider the category explanations when making your entry, not just assume what is intended from the headings. For example, the Innovative Design Solution category (sponsored by Fusion) is aimed at specific new single design features onboard a boat that are standout solutions – perhaps an innovation in hull architecture, a new interior design approach or a clever exterior touch that improves space to name just a few potential ideas. The Breakthrough Launch of the Year (sponsored by HP Watermakers) should represent something tangibly different in the marketplace – a disruptor in its sector.

Should you have any questions at all please email boatbuilderawards@ibinews.com and we will be pleased to clarify any questions you might have.

4. I am an equipment manufacturer – can I enter the Boat Builder Awards myself?

Any marine professional can make a nomination but there are specific rules about which categories are valid for what types of businesses. Most are applicable only to boat builders and shipyards but there is a specific category where a business in the marine equipment sector can directly nominate itself – Collaborative Solution between a Builder and its Supply Chain Partner. You must jointly nominate yourself and your boat manufacturer partner.

Don’t forget that you can make nominations for the boats and processes that you have had input on and the people you are proud to work with. Your nomination will undoubtedly benefit the nominee as well as your own company if it is shortlisted.

5. Will the judges physically examine every entry?

Our judges have wide exposure to the industry and hence it is likely they may have viewed boats, equipment and facilities that are nominated. This helps inform the process during our judgement meetings. However, the judges will primarily make their decisions based upon your online entry and its accompanying submissions and videos.

6. Does the Boat Builder Awards favour larger boat builders and shipyards?

No. The Boat Builder Awards raises the profile of best-of-the-best nominations from the worldwide sector, irrespective of scale. Every qualifying entry is judged on its own merits, from micro businesses right through to global conglomerates. We have seen winners in the past years from the smallest builders through to the largest multi-nationals.

7. Are there any changes to the rules categories compared to last year?

In keeping with a change to the Metstrade Young Professionals Club, the Rising Star category, sponsored by Lumishore, is now open for boat building and shipyard professionals aged 40 or under on 19 November 2025 (up from age 35 last year). So, the scope is now widened for this award for Rising Stars who have been making a growing impact on any aspect of their business, from design and production, to management, buying and any other boat building discipline.

8. Is there any benefit in entering early?

Entries close on 27 September 2025. But we will supply the judges with details of advanced entries from the beginning of September. Having an early entry is no guarantee of success, but it will provide judges with more time to consider the full details of your nomination and for them to raise further questions if they have any.

Early entry also enables you to clear the decks before involvement in autumn/fall/spring boat shows. All entries will be embargoed from any public mention by the organisers of the Boat Builder Awards until at least 17 October 2025.

9. Does your system auto save my entry as I go along, and can I check if my entry has been received?

There’s no auto-save. We suggest preparing your entry offline and then submitting it in one session. If you prematurely hit submit and it is easiest to resubmit the whole entry, then please do so. In the event we see duplicate entries we will typically take the latest one as the nomination for consideration unless you advise otherwise.

You will receive an automated confirmation email with details of your entry after submission. Do please check your spam folder just in case you cannot find it. If in any doubt, please contact us at boatbuilderawards@ibinews.com.

10. I think I made a mistake – can I amend my entry?

Yes, nominations can be amended up until 27 September 2025 if required. To do so, please check the entry you made on the confirmation email we sent you. If you do need to make an amend, please send the corrections to boatbuilderawards@ibinews.com.