The National Marine Manufacturers Association announced that Carl Herndon, the late founder of Blackfin Yachts and a visionary leader whose career spanned nearly seven decades, was posthumously named the recipient of the 2025 Marine Industry Lifetime Achievement Award in Memory of Charles Chapman. The award will be presented Oct. 7 during the Industry Breakfast at the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference.
“My father dedicated his life to building boats, companies and people,” Carisa Albrecht, Herndon’s daughter and chief executive officer of Jupiter Marine International, said in a statement. “He believed that integrity, craftsmanship and mentorship were just as important as innovation, and he never wavered in his commitment to those values. Seeing him honored with this award is a meaningful reminder of the legacy he leaves behind, not just in the boats he built but in the many lives he touched throughout the marine industry.”
Herndon founded Blackfin in the early 1970s, carving out a new market for high-performance, offshore fishing boats. As president and CEO of Jupiter Marine International, he guided the design and production of premium center consoles.
“Carl left a remarkable legacy of craftsmanship, leadership and service, one that has elevated the entire marine industry,” NMMA president and CEO Frank Hugelmeyer said in the statement. “He exemplified the vision, integrity and dedication that this award represents, and we are proud to honor his lifetime of achievement.”
