Marine Air Flow delivers advanced marine ventilation worldwide, with Capral aluminium at the core of its sustainable and custom-engineered solutions.
In marine engineering, engines, hulls, and navigation technologies usually take centre stage. Yet one company has carved out an unlikely niche and turned it into a global success. That company is Marine Air Flow, a designer and manufacturer of advanced ventilation systems for vessels of every scale.
Marine Air Flow was founded in 2005 by Brad Marsden, who drew on decades of boatbuilding experience and training in Western Australia. He recognised ventilation as a persistent weak point in otherwise sophisticated vessels, particularly in tropical climates. The company’s beginnings coincided with a wave of innovation in the industry that would ultimately shape its philosophy.
“It was a time of change from where the average boat was sort of 30 or 40 feet long, very old school, very slow, and all of a sudden these new modern, high-speed aluminium cray boats were born,” Marsden recalled. “Over the space of a year experimenting and sampling, basically Marine Air Flow was born.”
What might seem like a narrow specialty has since become a crucial differentiator for shipbuilders, defence projects, and commercial operators worldwide. Poor ventilation – allowing salt mist and spray to drive inefficiency, high maintenance, and early failures – is now seen across the maritime industry as a challenge that must be eliminated.
“Engines create a lot of heat, so if there’s no proper ventilation, they can overheat, damage equipment, increase fuel consumption, and even risk safety,” said Yael Abitbol, general manager of Marine Air Flow.
Marsden’s first innovation was deceptively simple: a cool room converted into a wind tunnel to protect engines while extending their lifespan. It brought fresh air in while keeping salt mist out. That 2005 invention marked the start of a product line that has grown into complete ventilation systems – intake grills, ducts, fans, dampers, and controls – designed as integrated packages.
Unlike the traditional piecemeal approach, Marine Air Flow offers a one-stop shop, backed by a three-year global warranty and what Marsden calls “a 110 per cent money back guarantee on performance.” More than 4,000 projects later, no client has ever claimed it.
Serving every scale and sector
From its Gold Coast base, Marine Air Flow ships systems worldwide every Thursday, often by air freight. Projects span six-metre craft to 260-metre giants, across recreational, commercial, and defence sectors. Exports now account for about half of all projects, up from just 10 per cent in 2017.
“The problem is exactly the same. It’s just on a different scale,” Marsden said.
“Growing internationally has balanced the business and made us far more resilient,” Abitbol added.
One innovation from Marine Air Flow is a 600mm, 24-volt DC fan moving 3,500 litres of air per second, supporting 2,400hp engines. Weighing just 17.5kg versus 60kg for AC versions, it saves operators weight and cost – equating to four extra passengers per trip on a ferry. Such offerings have made Marine Air Flow a go-to supplier for Australian names. Abitbol recalled a turning point with Riviera yachts.
“We said ‘We’ll give you a system free of charge – if it works, you can use us for future models.’ It did, and since then every new Riviera model has integrated our systems,” she said. “Today, we build and ship systems for Riviera vessels almost every week.”
The company’s attention to detail has also built strong international demand and recognition at home. In 2024, the company won both the Queensland Export Award (Small Business) and the National Export Award.
“It’s a recognition that shows why we’re considered number one in marine ventilation,” Abitbol said.
Behind the success sits a diverse team. Staff hail from Burma, Chile, Brazil, France, Spain and more. Many are trained in-house to build skills from scratch rather than unpick old habits. Abitbol said this culture underpins staff retention and quality.
“Many of our people have been here for 10 or 15 years. We have a very flat structure – apprentices take part in leadership meetings, and everyone’s ideas are heard,” she said.
Why aluminium matters: The Capral connection
A critical factor in Marine Air Flow’s success has been its reliance on aluminium – and its long partnership with Capral Aluminium, a company specialising aluminium extrusion and distribution. Since 2005, Capral has supplied proprietary extrusions for its bespoke systems.
Abitbol said aluminium’s lightweight, durable and resistant to corrosion nature have made the material critical and perfectly suited for the marine environment. Agreeing with the sentiment, Marsden placed an importance on the material by comparing to alternatives like plastic of which the company is replacing every four or five years.
“Our clients are usually very proactive in reaching out and saying, ‘oh my God, we didn’t realise how much more superior the aluminium product was compared to the plastic product,” said Marsden.
Marine Air Flow takes aluminium a step further. Components are CNC cut, jig-assembled, and welded to avoid dissimilar metal issues. Units are acid-dipped, chromated, and powder coated for marine-grade durability. Where bolts are used, isolation bushes prevent metal contact.
“By eliminating that dissimilar metal, it saves all that reaction and corrosion. The aluminium becomes very superior when it’s treated and designed correctly,” Marsden said.
Marine Air Flow now uses around 18 proprietary extrusions, three of which were developed in collaboration with Capral. According to Abitbol, the company has relied on the product since its inception because of its quality, Capral’s “second to none” service, and the flexibility to create custom sections tailored to its needs. Marsden echoed this sentiment.
“They’ve been a really good go-to source and are proactive in assisting us in designing and developing new sections,” Marsden said. “Yes, we could go offshore, but we believe strongly in supporting Australian industry – and fortunately the Australian industry has been pretty proactive in supporting us.”
Marsden credited the personal support of long-time Capral staff including John Smith and account manager David Betham.
“Whether we make a phone call, send a text, or an email, most of the time we’ve got a response within two hours – often within ten minutes. To be looked after at that level, on the scale of what Capral is, I think it’s pretty impressive,” he said.
Recently, the company switched to Capral’s LocAl Green lower-carbon aluminium, something that aligns with its large emphasis on sustainability.
“Clients are demanding greener solutions, and by choosing LocAl we’re reducing our footprint while reinforcing our position as industry leaders,” Abitbol said.
Looking forward
As Marine Air Flow enters its third decade, its ambitions remain global. The company is targeting a project mix of 30 per cent commercial, 30 per cent recreational, and 40 per cent defence, recognising defence as especially resilient and full of opportunity.
Expansion will be careful, as the business depends on deep technical engagement and a skilled team – qualities not easily scaled. But growth is coming.
“We’re expecting around 20 per cent growth in staff and space over the next few years and may even need a larger factory – though we hope to stay in Miami. The marine sector is booming and we intend to grow with it,” Abitbol said.
For an industry that rarely stops to think about airflow, Marine Air Flow has shown how critical it is. With Capral aluminium at its core, and a global client base depending on its systems, the Gold Coast manufacturer has proven that even in the most specialised niches, Australian engineering can lead the world.
