— Who We Are —
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YOURS ON THE WATER SINCE 1983
Established in 1983, Rickenbacker Marina is a family owned and operated, 680 slip full service marina. We are located on Virginia Key, FL in the heart of Biscayne Bay. Rickenbacker Marina affords unrivaled accessibility to world class fishing, cruising, and sailing.
We are every boater’s true one stop shop, offering wet slips, dry storage, fueling facilities, parts and service, marine retail and convenience store, casual and fine dining restaurants with in walking distance, 24-hour security, and concierge dockside assistance.
Our professional and courteous staff lead by a steadfast management team remain “Yours on the water.”
Fuel Dock | Certified & Insured Mechanics | Convenience Store | Boat Charters for Fishing or Cruising | Security 24/7 | Fine Restaurants
DRY STORAGE WET STORAGE JET SKI STORAGE
— MEET OUR TEAM —
AABAD MELWANI | PRESIDENT & OWNER
JAY ARRITOLA | GENERAL MANAGER
BESSY QUINTO | ASSISTANT MANAGER
AMANDA MARTIN | ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Meshach Carson | Dockmaster
Keysla De Leon | Admin Assistant
Eduardo Torres | Store Supervisor
DANNY DELGADO
KRISTY CASTELLANOS | ADMIN ASSISTANT
DANIELA PEREDA | ADMIN ASSISTANT
A DAY IN THE LIFE
Upon moving to Miami in 1980, Aabad Melwani’s father, Ram Melwani, fell in love with the
quaint island community of Key Biscayne. The island life inspired his Dad, a tireless entrepreneur, to explore nearby business opportunities along Miami’s waterfront. In 1983, Melwani came upon a listing for the sale of “Marina Biscayne,” a City of Miami leasehold at Rickenbacker Marina on Virginia Key. He struck a deal with the seller and dove head first into operating his first marina.
Success did not come easy, but the marina operation has been a family affair since 1983 and we have persevered through some pretty tough times: Miami’s drug violence of the 1980’s, hurricanes, recessions, and everything in between. They wouldn’t have had it any other way. Adversity has strengthened their family and shaped Aabad’s character.
He spent summers as a dock hand, learned to drive all kinds of boats and marine forklifts, and eventually took on oversight of the marina’s operations, financials, and regulatory affairs. After graduating law school in 2006, Aabad’s father retired and handed him the reins. Operating this business has been Aabad’s life’s work, and next to raising a family, his greatest passion.
