There’s a long list of things to take care of when running a marina. Finding the right location, licensing, permits, and complying with regulatory requirements. Then there are safety considerations, providing amenities, and marketing strategies. It’s a lot. But you love what you do, and you keep doing it. And because you want your business to be as sustainable and profitable as possible, you look for ways to make it happen.
One of the most crucial components for a marina’s long-term success is to provide preventive maintenance for all of your boats and assets.
Fleet maintenance requires servicing your assets whenever they may need them. It’s what you schedule when you have a check engine light on, or there’s a leak, an unusual sound, or any other indication that something may be amiss.
However, preventive maintenance can help you significantly reduce these issues when you establish scheduled maintenance checks as part of your regular operations. Being proactive about it will help you run your marina more efficiently, and reap a long list of advantages, as explained below.
While some reasons for taking care of your marina seem pretty obvious, there are a lot more benefits than what most people originally consider.
While it is good practice to include emergency tools around, a thorough safety plans includes scheduling regular maintenance. Any type of malfunction or failure poses a risk of injury; and everywhere you look around a marina could be the cause of misfortune — slip and falls, accidental fires, machinery accidents, and gas leaks can all be prevented when the right inspection processes are in place. Remember to also ensure to adequately train staff, and to post signage when necessary.
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that when you take care of any machinery, it’ll last much longer than if you just provide maintenance sporadically. It also lets you identify potential issues before they become a problem.
It’s no secret that fuel costs are a point of contention worldwide. Ensuring it’s used efficiently in and around your marina will help you save money and reduce your environmental impact. To do this, make sure each engine is properly tuned, that you’ve drained water from where it’s not needed, and that propellers are in good condition.
If any of your assets are down, it’ll impact your profits. Having all of your boats in optimal shape means that they’ll always be ready to go when a customer wants to rent them. It also means that you’ll have more assets to rent out, increasing your daily profits.
Providing regular maintenance will ensure that boats aren’t leaking oil in waterways. If you provide boat rental services, make sure to inspect all fuel lines and gaskets. If you’re providing docking space for boat owners, require that they do so as part of the contract.
Every manufacturer has different requirements, but many do include in their warranties that for coverage to apply, equipment must be serviced by their own company and be regularly maintained. Check what is required for each of your assets and set up alerts so that a scheduled maintenance doesn’t fall through the cracks.
If you own a boat rental business within your marina, check to see whether using them for a commercial purpose voids the warranty.
Another cost-cutting method is to lower your insurance rates. If you have a history of not making too many claims, premiums will be lower. And the best way to reduce the likelihood of having to file a claim in the first place is to provide adequate maintenance. Also, you can decrease costs if you keep navigation in low risk areas — which you can ensure with geofencing.
Other practices that will help you keep your marina safe and prevent a lot of headaches and legal liabilities include:
Whether you’re renting boats and/or providing docking space for private use, keeping everyone safe should be of utmost priority. Make sure to keep first aid kits, life vests, fire extinguishers, emergency radio, and flares accessible to everyone to safeguard life and property.
In addition to your equipment, remember to schedule routine inspections and maintenance of dock lights and power pedestals. This is essential to keep all staff and visitors safe. It also reduces the likelihood of affecting patrons’ experience if there’s a failure.
Make sure to schedule these inspections at a minimum, on a biweekly basis. Look for any signs of damage or corrosion on meters, receptacles, and wires.
Also, have electricians visit your installations regularly to conduct more thorough inspections, such as equipment overheating.
Boating safety courses are another way to ensure safety of staff and renters. It’s also a good way to prevent incorrect usage of vessels or equipment that could result in damaging your assets. And the cherry on top of the sundae is that some insurance providers can also give you a discount on your premiums by showing them proof of certification.
We live in an uber connected world where many issues are resolved with the right technologies — and keeping your fleets safe and in optimal condition is no exception. Using GPS and geofencing will ensure that renters and staff have a way to get back regardless of their location. It also lets you alert them of potential risks, as well as help you locate any stolen assets.
At Rastract, we offer all of the solutions you need to facilitate your fleet management. We have extensive experience providing the right technologies for a wide array of industries, including government, heavy equipment, medical, public safety, marinas, boat rentals, oil and gas, and many more.
Contact us and let us know how we can help you improve your processes and keep your assets in optimal condition.