The Triton’s first networking event this month on May 6 (the first Wednesday of May) is at Lauderdale Marine Center, the Ft. Lauderdale shipyard on the New River. Learn a bit about the yard from Dockmaster John Terrill, a former megayacht captain, and make plans to visit the repair yard at 2001 S.W. 20th St. from 6-8 p.m.

Q. OK, let’s start with LMC’s claim of being the largest yachting facility in the United States. How do you quantify that?

Lauderdale Marine Center recently completed an expansion that makes it the largest yachting facility in the United States, yet we all know it’s not the size that matters but what you can do with it that counts. With more than 50 acres to play with, we can do a number of things and all at the same time – pure bliss.

We have a superyacht marina that can accommodate 48 yachts up to 175 feet with 13 covered wet slips. When it comes to hauling the yacht, we have three travel lifts with a maximum capacity of 300 tons. The space on the hard is virtually unlimited (some 18 acres) with 19 covered sheds. OK, you got me bragging again about size.

What this all means is customers get their needs met, now. This is especially true when a hurricane is bearing down. Where else can you find space in a hurricane hole when everyone else has the same idea? See, size does matter!

Q. Tell us what was added with the expansion.

When we expanded into what was formerly the Broward Yard, rather than renovate and try to make it work we tore everything down and started new.

This approach allowed us to install new covered wet and dry slips, new docks and shore power (240 single phase, 208/480 three phase), all of which meet the needs of today’s yachts.

What I am personally most proud of and continue to receive compliments from captains and owners is the cleanliness of LMC. Great care was taken in the building of LMC to ensure an environmentally friendly "green" marina and shipyard.

Our efforts have been recognized by the state of Florida in its Clean Marina/Clean Boatyard program. Brokers and owners have discovered the cleanliness of LMC makes it the ideal setting for showing the yachts to buyers.

Q. What makes LMC different is that the yard doesn’t really do much. Captains find their own vendors, right?

At LMC, we rent slips in the marina and on the hard, haul the boat and wash the bottom. That’s it. We don’t paint the boat, pull the shafts, or work on the engine.

For that work the options are unlimited. We have on site more than 40 of the finest craftsman and marine service providers in the industry (we have room for a few more), or the captain can bring in any outside vendor – even other shipyards.

There is never a markup on outside contractors, not to the owner or sub.

Q. So what does the LMC staff do?

There is always a hum of activity with yachts arriving at the marina and being hauled and launched daily. Our 30-person team keeps everything moving smoothly while maintaining the pristine condition of the facility. Since our recent expansion much effort has gone into sharing this new facility with the community. This includes tours with visiting captains and owners as well as being the chosen venue for important city functions. LMC recently hosted a U.S. Superyacht Association forum that featured Ft. Lauderdale’s newly elected mayor, Jack Seiler. We will also be hosting the next Florida Yacht Brokers Association boat show this month, and of course the next Triton networking event.

Q. Do you have the latest on the dredging of the New River?

A feasibility study for dredging the New River will be completed early this summer. If all goes according to plan, dredging will be completed within the following year. In the meantime, yachts up to a draft of 9½ feet are arriving daily.