Awie’s Stylo I airboat to be displayed in Penang

Chic craft: Awie (left), Yeoh and Reissiger posing with the Stylo 1 airboat at the Marlin Marine warehouse near Tanjung Agas, in Muar, Johor.

MUAR: While Awie the singer may rock the stage, Awie the boatmaker here rocks the waves with his commercial and luxury water craft.

Awie, whose real name is Md Nazari Abdullah, worked with several international boat making companies, including those in Australia, Saudi Arabia, Canada and Russia, to hone his skills for 15 years.

“I started from the bottom of the chain, doing welding before climbing up the ladder and being part of the planning and designing teams.

“I returned to Malaysia and started Marlin Marine Sdn Bhd some eight years ago in the hope of building a good reputation in the boat making industry,” he said in an interview at his warehouse near Tanjung Agas here.

To date, Awie has built over 40 boats for the Government and private use, including four vessels for the Johor royal family.

Said to be the only Muar company making airboats, Awie said these aluminium-made, “amphibian” craft could operate on both water and land as these were specially designed for shallow water.

Hoping to venture abroad, Awie said he had also designed a versatile version of the airboat that would appeal to the younger generation for commercial use.

His specially designed red and black Stylo 1 airboat, which has 780 horsepower and six-litre supercharge engine, will be among some 50 boats on display during the Maritime International Showcase in Penang this December.

Stylo International president and chief executive officer Datuk Nancy Yeoh said its subsidiary, Reissiger Marine, aimed to promote Malay­sian boat makers during the event.

“We want to offer boat makers an avenue to showcase their expertise on an international platform as we believe that there are many extra­ordinary talents, such as Awie.

“Through the event, we hope to encourage the Malaysian marine industry to grow their domestic and export markets by actively finding and promoting able companies in the region,” she said.

A string of activities will be held during the showcase at the Penang Straits Quay between Dec 3 and 6.

“Leading local fashion designers of cruise wear from the Malaysia Fashion Week will play a big role,” said Yeoh, who is co-chairman of the Malaysia Fashion Week, an event Stylo organises jointly with Matrade.