Yacht Nominations Are Open for the 2023 International Superyacht Society Design Awards


It’s time again for the Yacht nominations for the 2023 International Superyacht Society (ISS) Design Awards. Registrations and nominations are for all custom yachts, first hull of a series or refit projects built and delivered between 2020 and 2022.

Yacht Nominations Are Open for the 2023 International Superyacht Society Design Awards

In 2022, the esteemed committee of builders and designers revamped the ISS Design Awards, replacing the previous feet/meters categories with new tonnage categories that now include:

  • Best in Sail <500 GT (above 24m)
  • Best in Sail 500 + GT
  • Best in Motor <500 GT (above 24m)
  • Best in Motor 500 <1500 GT
  • Best in Motor 1500<3000 GT
  • Best in Motor 3000<5000 GT
  • Best in Motor 5000 + GT and Refit

The deadline for this year’s submissions is July 20, 2023, with the award ceremony to take place at The Ritz-Carlton on Fort Lauderdale beach on Thursday, October 26, 2023, during this year’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

Yacht Nominations Are Open for the 2023 International Superyacht Society Design Awards

If you are looking to register your yacht, please follow these guidelines from the ISS website:

  • Appoint one dedicated person to be the vessel administrator and create an account here. You will receive a notification email once your request is approved, and then you can proceed with the next steps (check your spam inbox if you do not receive it).
  • The vessel administrator will need to complete a portfolio, which will be uploaded to a private section on the ISS website that is exclusively dedicated to voting and judging. This area will not be visible to the public at any time.
  • Each vessel administrator must obtain written permission from the yacht owner to participate in the awards process.
  • The portfolio must include an image gallery of the vessel that showcases specific areas, such as the exterior, interior, and technologically advanced special features.
  • The portfolio should include a description of the vessel’s distinctive features and the reasons why it is exceptional compared to other yachts in terms of design, practicality, performance, and craftsmanship. Additionally, any new advancements in yacht design, such as environmental innovations or noteworthy inventions, should be highlighted.
  • Upload a general arrangement plan.
Yacht Nominations Are Open for the 2023 International Superyacht Society Design Awards

Finalists will be informed in advance and requested to submit additional materials for the awards ceremony once the judges have made their final decisions. It is advised for all finalists to have a representative present at the gala to accept the award if they are announced as the winner.

This year’s panel of 12 industry professionals includes highly respected representatives from the shipyard and design fields. For a complete list of this year’s judges, please click here.

To nominate your vessel, please click here.

The ISS was founded in 1989 to “Promote Excellence and Ensure Sustainability in the Global Yachting Industry” as a united voice for the large yacht industry. YATCO is proud to be an official partner of the ISS and support its mission of serving as the collective voice on issues affecting the industry, recognizing achievement, and further strengthening the industry through regional and global committees, educational opportunities, and networking events.

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