People have been relying on marinas to protect their boats and equipment for a millennium. But with the advent of smart technologies, marina owners can now reshape how they protect their marinas. Today we'll explore how marina owners can use smart technologies to keep their marinas safe.
Marina Fleet Management Security Options
As marinas become increasingly busy, it's important for marina owners to be aware of the security options available to them to keep their fleet of watercraft and the people out on the water safe:
- Automated GPS Tracking
- Geofencing
- Data Analytics
Automated GPS Tracking
One option gaining popularity, and for good reason, is GPS tracking. Rental owners can use GPS trackers to monitor the movement of their boats. GPS tracking software goes hand-in-hand with fleet monitoring, data analytics, and geofencing. The information garnered through GPS tracking can be used to identify usage patterns and detect potentially unsafe activity.
GPS tracking and monitoring can also be used to keep track of the marina and surrounding waterways' water levels. By detecting changes in the water level, marina staff can take steps to prevent flooding and damage to boats.
Geofencing
Another marina security option available is geofencing. Geofencing uses GPS to create virtual boundaries around a physical location, such as a marina. When a boat enters or leaves the boundaries set by the geofence, an alert can be sent to the marina owner or staff. This alert can include the boat's location, speed, and direction.
Geofencing can be used to create safe zones within a marina. For example, a marina owner could set up a geofence around a fuel dock to prevent boats from refueling outside of the designated area. Or, a marina owner could use geofencing to create a no-wake zone near the marina entrance. By doing so, marina staff can be alerted if a boat is entering or leaving the marina at an unsafe speed.
One of the most common geofencing uses for marina and fleet owners is to create virtual fences where they don't want their watercraft to go. For example, shallow waterways or areas that fleet owners know are commonly laden with flotsam or submerged hazards that can damage the watercraft and put the operators and passengers in danger. When a boat or personal watercraft enters one such flagged area, the fleet manager and vehicle operator will receive a text message informing them they are in a restricted area. If the operator doesn't turn the vehicle around, owners and managers have the option of triggering an alarm on the vehicle in question.
Fleet Monitoring & Marina Management Software
When you combine GPS tracking, data analytics with AI assistance, and geofencing capabilities with full-fledged fleet monitoring or marina management software, marina owners can improve security by monitoring their fleet of boats. Fleet monitoring involves real-time tracking of each vessel's status and health. The software allows them to track each vessel's location, fuel level, and engine hours. With continually updated data, marina staff can see which boats are overdue for maintenance and generate work orders accordingly.
In a nutshell, fleet Monitoring helps marinas optimize maintenance schedules, and prevent accidents and theft. In the event of an emergency, fleet monitoring can also help marina staff locate and rescue boats and their occupants.
Invest in Comprehensive Marina Surveillance
When it comes to marina security, marina surveillance is essential. Marina owners can protect their boats and property from theft and vandalism by installing a comprehensive security system. In addition to surveillance, marina management software can help marina owners keep track of all activity in the marina, allowing them to respond quickly to any incidents that occur in or out of the water.
Reduce Criminal Activity
Marina surveillance systems are increasingly being used to help control crime. By monitoring activity at the marina and tracking who is coming and going, marina security personnel can better assess and respond to potential criminal activity. In some cases, marina surveillance systems are also linked to law enforcement databases, which can help identify suspects and track criminal activity. Marina security personnel can also use marina surveillance systems to monitor weather conditions and ensure the safety of boats and people in the marina.
Mitigate Fire Risks
Mitigating fire risks is another important function of marina surveillance systems. By keeping an eye on all activity in the marina, security personnel can quickly identify any potential for fires—hopefully—before they happen. When marina surveillance systems are used to monitor fuel storage areas for signs of leaks or spills, the information can be relayed to emergency responders to take appropriate action quickly.
More Marina Security Best Practices
In addition to fleet and marina monitoring tools and surveillance systems, here are a few more things marina owners and managers can do to keep their marinas safe and secure:
- Ample Signage
- Entryway Security
- Fencing and Gating
- Adequate Lighting
Ample Signage
Signage is an important part of marina security. Well-placed and well-designed signs can help keep marinas safe by warning people about potential dangers, directing them to the proper areas, and providing other important information. Good signage can also make marinas more aesthetically pleasing, which can draw visitors.
Entryway Security
When it comes to marina security, the weakest link in the proverbial chain is often the entryway. Marina owners can keep unauthorized people from entering and damaging boats or equipment by installing a robust security system at the entrance. Furthermore, by using a marina management software system, boat fleet owners can keep track of who is coming and going from the marina at all times. This allows for better security and peace of mind.
RELATED CONTENT: Why Your Marina Needs a Preventative Maintenance Schedule
Fencing & Gating
Marinas are often a target for criminals looking to steal boats and other property. Well-maintained fencing and gates help to keep marinas secure by preventing unauthorized access. Although these physical security measures can be costly and time-consuming to maintain, they are the first line of defense against unwanted entry.
Adequate Lighting
Beyond the obvious reason of deterring criminals, marinas need to be well-lit to keep people safe at night. Without proper lighting, individuals could easily fall and injure themselves on the docks or grounds or run afoul while returning to park their watercraft if they are late getting in.
Additionally, good lighting helps marina operators keep track of what's going on in their facility and makes it easier to spot potential problems.
Maximize ROI With Fleet Management Software
Marina owners often report that they more than recoup the money they spent on fleet management software with the reduction in propeller repair and replacement alone. When you combine that with automating and optimizing watercraft maintenance schedules, fewer incidents, a safer environment, and improved insurance premiums, fleet management software pays for itself and helps enhance your business's ROI overall.
Smart technologies are changing the marina security landscape by providing a more cost-effective and efficient way to protect marinas. Marina management software can be used to track assets, detect problems with boats in the fleet, and monitor activity in and around the marina. After reading this, we hope you better understand how you can use smart technologies to improve security at your marina.
Click the link below to download our Ebook on protecting your marina with fleet management software!
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