Family Tides: All Marine Charters’ mission to protect the Reef

When it comes to family businesses with heart, All Marine Charters is really making waves. Run by Lorraine Collins and her family out of Cairns in Queensland’s far north, this ocean-loving crew has just been named a finalist in the 2024 Australia’s Favourite Family Business competition.

With a unique blend of adventure, sustainability, and dedication to marine research, All Marine Charters is simply another boat hire company; it’s a purpose-driven venture helping to protect the Great Barrier Reef and support vital marine studies.

Where nature, adventure and purpose collide

All Marine Charters began as a family dream, shaped by Lorraine and her husband’s shared love for the ocean. Before launching in Australia, the Collins family ran a dive liveaboard business in Papua New Guinea. Lorraine, a scientist and recreational diver, and her husband, a professional skipper and commercial diver, saw the opportunity to merge their skills in a new location.

“Our passion for the ocean and commitment to protecting marine environments, especially the Great Barrier Reef, really drove us,” explains Lorraine. “We wanted to create a business that supports vital reef research and marine life studies while promoting sustainability.” All Marine Charters allows the Collins family to combine their love for nature and adventure with a meaningful purpose, a commitment that has only grown since their initial move to Cairns.

A boat with a mission

Operating from the popular holiday destination of Cairns, All Marine Charters offers unique, fully crewed trips on their 29-meter vessel, the MV Miss Rankin. The boat is available for commercial and private hire, but what makes the business truly special is its dedication to scientific and media projects. With eight air-conditioned twin cabins, a spacious deck, and dedicated space for research equipment, the MV Miss Rankin is perfectly suited for expeditions that support critical studies of Australia’s reefs.

“We cater to a diverse range of clients – from researchers and scientists to filmmakers and adventurers,” Lorraine says. “Whether it’s a team studying the Great Barrier Reef or a film crew capturing remote beauty, we tailor our services to meet their needs.

“We’re passionate about protecting Australia’s reefs while delivering high-quality, tailored charters,” she adds.

Family values at sea

Running a family business has its perks, and for Lorraine, it’s all about a commitment to a shared sense of purpose.

“We love the trust, shared values, and strong sense of purpose that comes from working together as a family,” she says. “Each of us brings unique skills and perspectives, which makes for a great team. Plus, we get to build something meaningful while spending time together in an environment we all love – the ocean.”

However, working so closely with family can have its challenges, especially when it comes to managing the intersection between work and life.

“Balancing personal and professional roles can sometimes be tricky,” Lorraine admits. “Decision-making and maintaining clear boundaries between work and family life require careful management. But we’ve found that open communication and understanding each other’s strengths help us overcome these challenges.”

Working on a charter basis also means the family isn’t together every day, which gives them some much-needed breathing room.

Putting sustainability front and centre

Beyond family bonds, All Marine Charters is deeply committed to environmental sustainability. This passion extends to their daily operations but also to their long-term goals of supporting marine conservation and research. The company provides a critical platform for scientists studying the Great Barrier Reef, allowing them to explore reef health and contribute to conservation measures.

“Winning Australia’s Favourite Family Business competition would be a meaningful recognition of our family’s dedication to sustainability and marine conservation,” says Lorraine. “This award would help raise awareness of the important research we support and inspire others to adopt sustainable practices.”

For the Collins family, being recognised as a finalist in the Australia’s Favourite Family Business competition is already an incredible accomplishment.

“It’s a validation of the hard work, dedication, and shared passion that we’ve put into All Marine Charters,” she shares. “It also highlights our efforts in promoting environmental sustainability and marine conservation through our family business.”

As the competition draws to a close, Lorraine hopes that their journey inspires other family businesses to make sustainability a core value. “This award would be a great way to showcase our commitment to protecting Australia’s natural treasures and the ecosystems they sustain,” she concludes.

All Marine Charters proves that family businesses can significantly impact both people and the planet. By combining a love for the ocean, a commitment to conservation, and the unique strengths of each family member, Lorraine and her family have built a venture that’s as much about purpose as it is about profit.

Find out more about All Marine Charters

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