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BlueWater Marinas: A Cut Above the Rest

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BlueWater’s management team is one of the most experienced in the sector with over 60 years of combined experience dedicated to developing, redeveloping, managing, and maximizing value of marina operations. BlueWater will be opportunistic, relying on its long-standing relationships, successful track record, and experience in the space to assemble a best-in-class portfolio of irreplaceable marinas in high barrier-to-entry markets.

Our Experience

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Management Team

BlueWater's principals and management team were the former founders and management teams of Atlantic Marina Holdings ("AMH") and PORT32 Marinas ("P32") and have over 60 years combined experience in the industry.

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Acquisition History

Since 2003, BlueWater's principals have acquired, developed and managed over 4,000 wet and dry slips and over 140,000 square feet of marine commercial space.

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Proven Track Record

BlueWater's management team has consistently delivered exceptional risk adjusted returns for its investors and will continue to rely on its deep industry relationships to maximize the value for its investors.

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// Locations

Our Marinas

Shem Creek

526 Mill Street // Mt Pleasant, SC 29464

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Shem Creek

526 Mill Street // Mt Pleasant, SC 29464

The BlueWater management team acquired Shem Creek Marina in 2004. Shem Creek Marina is modern, class A marina developed in 2007, conveniently located off Coleman Boulevard in the heart of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, minutes from downtown Charleston. The marina features 210 dry slips, 24 in-water staging slips, fuel dock with unleaded marina grade fuel, ship store, and private parking with separate golf cart parking lot. Shem Creek Marina is the premier choice for Mount Pleasant residents.

Ripley Light Marina Drystack

56 Ashley Point Drive // Charleston, SC 29407

The BlueWater management team acquired Ripley Light Marina in 2003. Ripley Light is a modern, class A marina re-developed in 2010, conveniently located just minutes from Charleston Harbor and minutes from downtown Charleston. The marina features 215 dry slips, 22 in-water staging slips, fuel dock with unleaded marina grade and dyed diesel fuel, service center, and private parking. Ripley Light Marina is the premier full-service marina for Charleston residents.

// Meet The Team

The BlueWater Team

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Joe H Miller IV is a Principal and co-founder of BlueWater Marinas. Joe has over 30 years of experience in the real estate industry and for the past 20 years has been a leading participant in the marina industry. Previously, Joe founded and grew two marina companies, Atlantic Marina Holdings and Port 32 Marinas. With over $500 million in marina transaction and development activity under Joe’s leadership, his previous companies assembled a best-in-class portfolio totaling over 4,000 slips across the Southeast.

Prior to entering the marina industry, Joe started his career in the real estate industry in 1990 working for Trammell Crow Company, Childress Klein Properties and Cousins Properties in Atlanta before venturing out on his own to start Miller Development in 1998 in Charleston. Joe earned his JD from the University of South Carolina and his MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.

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Dunston Powell is a Principal and co-founder of BlueWater Marinas. Dunston has a BS in Real Estate from the University of Georgia and received a CCIM designation in 2002. Dunston has been fully vested in commercial real estate investing, brokerage and development since 1996. Prior to forming BlueWater Marinas, LLC, Dunston was Chief Investment Officer at Port 32 Marinas, owned and operated three successful boutique commercial/investment real estate firms, and was director of acquisitions and Atlantic Marina Holdings. Dunston has been involved in over $450 million in marina transactions.

Mr. Powell is an active member of Holy Cross Episcopal Church, CCIM, Association of Marina Industries, Autism Speaks, driver for Meals on Wheels, and is a past president for Mt. Pleasant Sertoma Charity.

Additional deals participated in outside of AMH & P32 Ownership:

Tidewater Yacht Marina – Portsmouth VA – 300 wet slips

Magwood Marine – Mount Pleasant SC – 70 dry slips

Simmons Marina – Mount Pleasant SC – 70 dry slips

Seabreeze Marina – Charleston SC – 200 dry/50 wet slips

Golden Isles Marina – St Simons GA – 250 dry slips

Timberlake Marina – Chapin SC - 220 wet slips

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Joe H Miller V joined BlueWater Marinas at the company’s inception in November 2022 and serves as a Director for the company. In Joe’s role, he is actively involved in many of the day-to-day corporate activities, including acquisitions, and will oversee all future developments. Prior to BlueWater, Joe worked in this same capacity at Port 32 Marinas, which he joined at the beginning of 2022.

Prior to joining Port 32 Marinas, Joe spent two and half years at Greystar, the nation’s largest multifamily developer. While at Greystar, he was involved in the development of over a $1 billion of residential multi-family deals totaling over 2,000 units. Prior to Greystar, Joe spent two years with JBG Smith, a market leader in the commercial and multi-family industries in the DC metro area. Joe was involved in nearly $500 million of development, including a 280,000 SF office tower where JBGS re-located their headquarters and over 600 multifamily units.

Joe holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and a Masters in Real Estate and Infrastructure from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School.

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Campbell Miller joined BlueWater Marinas at the company’s inception in November 2022 and serves as an Associate for the company. Campbell’s primary responsibilities include quantitative and qualitative analysis for new acquisitions, overseeing daily marina operations, analyzing company financials and future planning, and assisting the development team. He will also play a major role in investor reporting. Prior to BlueWater, Campbell worked in this same capacity at Port 32 marinas, which he joined in September 2020 following his graduation from college.

Before joining Port 32, Campbell completed two summer internships in the real estate industry at Berkadia Commercial Mortgage and Carolina Commercial.

Campbell is currently earning his Masters in Real Estate from Georgetown University and holds his bachelors degree in economics from the University of Virginia.

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Sam Miller joined BlueWater Marinas at the company’s inception in November 2022 and serves as an Associate for the company. Sam’s primary responsibilities include assisting on all new acquisitions, leading the firm’s commercial leasing activity and performing market research. Prior to BlueWater, Sam worked as an Associate with Port 32 in the same capacity since April 2021.

Sam graduated from The University of Virginia with a B.A. in History. After UVA, he worked for the U.S. Department of Commerce as an assistant to the CFO for two years. Sam will receive his Masters in Real Estate from Georgetown University by June, 2023.

Prior Marina Portfolio

PORT 32

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Tampa

The BlueWater management team acquired Port 32 Tampa in 2018. Port 32 Tampa is a modern, class A marina developed in 2007, conveniently located in downtown Tampa. The marina features 600 + dry slips, 40 wet slips, 10,000 square feet of commercial space, swimming pool, a 5,000 square feet dealer & service center, fuel dock and Hula Bay/Duke’s Retired Surfer’s Island Bar, popular local waterfront establishments., Port 32 Tampa is the premier choice for Tampa residents and stands as one of the largest dry storage facilities in the country.

PORT 32

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Fort Lauderdale

The BlueWater management team acquired the Port 32 Fort Lauderdale site in 2016 with plans to develop a leading marina facility within Marina Mile on the New River. The management team took the site through its full entitlement upon acquisition and the first phase of redevelopment, which focused on rebuilding the yacht basin and adding the only fuel dock on the New River, was completed in 2019. The basin provides approximately 2,000 linear feet of dockage and can accommodate 16 to 32 mega yachts. The second phase, completed in the second quarter of 2023, includes approximately 250 dry slips, roughly 20,000 square feet of commercial space, crew quarters, a dockmaster’s office, and a boatyard spanning approximately 100,000 square feet. The management team entitled the site for up to 700 dry slips allowing the facility flexibility to continue to meet market demand. With its comprehensive redevelopment now complete, Port 32 Fort Lauderdale stands as one of the premier full service marine facilities in the area.

PORT 32

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Tierra Verde

The BlueWater management team acquired Port 32 Tierra Verde in 2017. Port 32 Tierra Verde is a modern, class A marina redeveloped in 2015, located on the scenic island of Tierra Verde in the southern tip of Pinellas County. The marina consists of approximately 350 dry slips, with a variety of offerings for boats 40 feet and above. Additionally, it offers almost 100 wet slips including lifts, around 10,000 square feet of commercial space, a ship store, 5,800 square foot service center, and a fuel dock. Adjacent to the marina, there is a newly built boutique Marriot Residence Inn, along with Island Grill, an 8,000 square feet restaurant featuring a tiki bar and a shared resort pool. Port 32 Tierra Verde is widely regarded as one of the premier full service marinas on the West Coast of Florida.

PORT 32

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Naples

The BlueWater management team acquired Port 32 Naples in 2021. Port 32 Naples is a class A, dry storage facility located in the heart of Naples. The marina comprises 680 indoor dry slips. In addition to the dry slips, the site includes a clubhouse with dining options for members, an outdoor pool, a commercial sales and service building leased to OneWater, and a fuel dock. Since its market debut in 2006, this facility has maintained a strong reputation and remains the leading marina in the region.

PORT 32

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Palm Beach Gardens

Port 32 Palm Beach Gardens has operated as a marina in the heart of Palm Beach Gardens for over half a century, but its forty-year-old barn has recently become obsolete due to the increasing vessel sizes. The BlueWater management team acquired the site in 2015 with plans to modernize the facility into one of the leading state-of-the-art drystack facilities in the country. In 2019, Phase I of the redevelopment was completed with Phase 2 currently in process which aims to completely overhaul the dry storage and commercial components of the marina. Once finished, the marina will offer approximately 460 leasable slips, a new dockmaster’s office/ship store, and 40,000 SF of commercial space intended for a showroom, service bays, and retail tenants. The showroom will showcase an abundance of boat lines, which the BlueWater management team envisioned to provide a year-round boat show experience.

Harborage club

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Fort Lauderdale

The BlueWater management team entitled and designed the site currently occupied by F3 marina in Fort Lauderdale. The Harborage Club of Fort Lauderdale was originally designed and entitled to become the country’s leading dry slip marina in 2007. The plan featured 330 crane operated, climate-controlled dry slips, providing direct access to the intracoastal waterway. In addition to the enclosed barn, the design included a private club featuring a rooftop restaurant and bar, offering panoramic 360-degree views of downtown Fort Lauderdale.

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Dockage & Amenities

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Services & Features

Shem Creek Marina offers white glove service, meaning we take care of everything. Customers can call ahead and have their vessels placed in the water, washed down, batteries checked, fueled, and ready to go with ice in the cooler. When finished boating, a customer need only leave his or her boat at the dock. The Drystack staff will then wash it down again, flush the engine, and return the boat to its dry storage slip. Our job is to handle the details so you can truly enjoy your boat.

  • Only minutes from Charleston Harbor
  • Fuel Dock
  • Deck area overlooking Shem Creek with seating area, fans and misters
  • Bathroom & Outdoor Showers

 

  • Staging Docks
  • Racks with covers to protect your boat
  • Experienced management team

A Better Way to Boat

at Shem Creek

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About Our Location

Nestled in the heart of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, Shem Creek is known as a laid back, family-friendly neighborhood. Shrimp boats and dolphins, unique shops, great restaurants and taverns make for an unforgettable experience. And now, Shem Creek is also known for the ultimate neighborhood marina, Shem Creek Marina.

Directional Information

Shem Creek Marina is conveniently located off Coleman Boulevard, minutes from historic downtown Charleston and the interstate. Plus, you’re also seconds from Charleston Harbor and the Cooper River, and mere moments from the Intracoastal Waterway.

Dockage & Amenities

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Services & Features

Shem Creek Marina offers white glove service, meaning we take care of everything. Customers can call ahead and have their vessels placed in the water, washed down, batteries checked, fueled, and ready to go with ice in the cooler. When finished boating, a customer need only leave his or her boat at the dock. The Drystack staff will then wash it down again, flush the engine, and return the boat to its dry storage slip. Our job is to handle the details so you can truly enjoy your boat.

  • Only minutes from Charleston Harbor
  • Fuel Dock
  • Deck area overlooking Shem Creek with seating area, fans and misters
  • Bathroom & Outdoor Showers

 

  • Staging Docks
  • Racks with covers to protect your boat
  • Experienced management team

A Better Way to Boat

at Shem Creek

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About Our Location

Nestled in the heart of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, Shem Creek is known as a laid back, family-friendly neighborhood. Shrimp boats and dolphins, unique shops, great restaurants and taverns make for an unforgettable experience. And now, Shem Creek is also known for the ultimate neighborhood marina, Shem Creek Marina.

Directional Information

Shem Creek Marina is conveniently located off Coleman Boulevard, minutes from historic downtown Charleston and the interstate. Plus, you’re also seconds from Charleston Harbor and the Cooper River, and mere moments from the Intracoastal Waterway.

Dockage & Amenities

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Services & Features

Ripley Drystack offers white glove service, meaning we take care of everything. Customers can call ahead and have their vessels placed in the water, washed down, batteries checked, fueled, and ready to go with ice in the cooler. When finished boating, a customer need only leave his or her boat at the dock. The Drystack staff will then wash it down again, flush the engine, and return the boat to its dry storage slip. Our job is to handle the details so you can truly enjoy your boat.

  • Convenient location minutes from the Charleston Harbor
  • Large slips from 25′ to 40′, accommodating boats from 17′ to 40′
  • Slip heights up to 14’
  • State-of-the-art lift with 20,000 lb. capacity
  • Professional Staff

  • Ipe Wood Staging Docks
  • Fuel Dock
  • Bathrooms and Showers
  • Ample Parking
  • Fish cleaning station
  • Boat Club & Rentals

A Better Way to Boat

at Ripley Light

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About Our Location

Nestled in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, Ripley Light is known as a laid back, family-friendly neighborhood. Shrimp boats and dolphins, unique shops, great restaurants and taverns make for an unforgettable experience.

Directional Information

Ripley Light Marina Drystack is located just across the Ashley River from Downtown Charleston and has been in operation since 1988. The marina is situated on Hwy 61, adjacent to the California Dreaming restaurant and just blocks from the James Island Connector.