The sixth edition of the Prestigious Asia Boating Awards will be hosted this year at the Hong Kong Gold Coast Yacht and Country Club.

For the first time ever, the Asia Boating Awards, the top event of the yachting calendar in Asia, will be staged in Hong Kong at the upcoming Hong Kong Gold Coast Boat Show on May 8, 2010.

Organised by Asia-Pacific Boating and China Boating magazines, the awards recognise the best yachts globally as well as top Asia-based yacht builders, Asia-based regattas, Asian marinas and yacht clubs, best maritime city in Asia and Asia’s top yachting personality.

This is the sixth edition of the Asia Boating Awards, having being staged in Singapore and Bangkok with the last two editions taking place in Shanghai.

This year’s event will see new categories, including best production multihull (catamaran or trimaran), best designer working in Asia, and the best ‘green company’, in recognition of builders and yachts that have developed more eco-friendly products and systems.

Last year’s awards ceremony saw yacht builders and personalities from Italy, France, USA, Germany, the Netherlands, Britain, Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand and China in attendance.

Yacht builders, both foreign-invested and domestic, are entering the Asia market with Asia-based builders, and developing the long-term potential of Asia as a yachting destination.

Yacht building is an exacting discipline, requiring mastery of skills in fibreglass, steel and aluminum construction and carpentry, as well as design and engineering.

Several yacht designers of international renown, including Ward Setzer and Morrelli & Melvin, have expressed strong interest in Asia and have considered Hong Kong as a possible location for design branch offices.

Asia-Pacific Boating and China Boating invite all of their readers to participate in the awards by nominating their favourites in each category.

This can be done at the Asia Boating Awards website.

The most popular entries in each category will then be compiled into a shortlist and presented to an independent panel of judges.

Their choices are then submitted to a law firm, with the winners being revealed on awards night.