Bradford Marine parent to acquire Billfish Marina

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Bradford Marine parent company Fort Lauderdale Yacht Harbor said it entered an agreement with Billfish Marina owner PipeWelders Marine to purchase the marina for an undisclosed price.

Billfish Marina, a repair and marina facility in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., agreed to terms to be acquired by Fort Lauderdale Yacht Harbor.

The acquisition of Billfish Marina and all affiliated entities — PipeWelders Marine, P&R Canvas and High Seas Technology — is anticipated to close in April, subject to customary closing conditions. Both properties will continue operations as normal and will retain the Bradford Marine, Billfish Marina and affiliate names.

Julie Fisher Berry, principal of Marina Investments Group at Stiles Realty, brokered the transaction. “We are very excited to have the opportunity to acquire Billfish Marina, PipeWelders Marine, P&R Canvas and High Seas Technology,” said Fort Lauderdale Yacht Harbor CEO John Kelly in a statement. “Adding Billfish Marina and its affiliates, with their world-class employees, significantly expands our geographic footprint and the services we can provide to our customers in South Florida.”

Bradford Marine and Billfish Marina have service-focused operating philosophies and complementary strengths, Kelly said.

“One year ago, with the acquisition of Bradford Marine, we looked forward to being an integral part of the Fort Lauderdale marine community to help grow Broward County’s $8.9 billion economic impact that comes from the marine industry,” said Fort Lauderdale Yacht Harbor COO Michael Kelly. “Entering into a purchase contract for the purchase of Billfish Marina and its affiliated companies reinforces our commitment to those stated goals.”

“Continuing family ownership was very important to me because I can see that John and Michael Kelly are committed to the same high standards my father and I had building Billfish Marina and our other companies to what they are today,” said Billfish Marina/PipeWelders president Trey Irvine.

Irvine will continue as an advisor to the Kellys after the transaction closes.