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} Yacht Marina
number of heavy items to get to your boat can
easily dampen your mood for the rest of the
day. So paying that little bit extra for the berth,
but knowing that you will not have to face
these issues every weekend is well worth it.
Also, returning to a car which has been left in
the sun for a weekend in the blistering summer
sun, is not really appealing.
FACILITIES IN THE BERTHS
Stable electricity, good water pressure
and a decent wifi connection are essential
requirements for a yacht marina.
Modern yachts simply necessitate a good shore
power connection. Depending on the type of
boat, one could need various types of shore
power, and environmentally conscious marinas
might not allow the use of generators for a
lengthened period of time unless absolutely
necessary.
Good quality pressured water is also key to
maintain the boat properly, being able to wash it
well, and fill up the tanks before going out. The
marina tariffs could already include normal use
of such facilities or else demand extra payment
for them. Make sure to check this out properly
before so as to avoid any nasty surprises.
Although not really a boating necessity,
unfortunately, the simplicity of boating needs
to be hindered with internet connections too.
It would be great if your chosen yacht marina
can also offer this necessary commodity. This
can sometimes be useful in order to be able
to go boating for longer periods of time and
still keep in touch with the office, or just to
update your social media fans with your status
or pictures, making them envious of your
yachting life! Power, Water & Wifi are essential
requirements nowadays.
One of the main benefits of berthing in a
marina is that you are constantly connected to
electrical power. In this way, your batteries are
always charged and there is no need to use a
generator.
Having water readily available means that
you can always have your tank full and your
boat clean. One must also check the tariffs
whether they are included in the berthing fee
or whether there are any extra charges.
SERVICES
Time is a constraint for everyone, therefore
being in a marina which is also a one-stop shop
is definitely a plus. Convenient access to all of
the boat owners' needs is essential. Things to
take into consideration are:
• where is the nearest fuel pump-out?
• are there any onsite maintenance facilities?
• can one find mechanics, marine electricians
and other experts readily available on site?
ACCESS TO AMENITIES
Are there nearby restaurants, supermarkets,
pharmacies, clean marina showers, toilets,
ATM's and other essential amenities? These
are all important factors which one needs to
take into consideration especially if you enjoy
spending a number of overnights on your boat.
ACCESS TO GARBAGE DISPOSAL
After a day out at sea, or even if you are staying
on your boat, easily accessible and adequate
waste disposal is important.
HOURS OF OPERATION
A marina should be open on days and at hours
when they are most likely to be needed. Staff
should a lso be available on weekends and
public holidays. There should be overnight
security. It is also important for the marina to
be reachable by phone and marine radio, and
for staff to be around to help you if it is maybe
windy or with a technical problem.
SECURITY
Apart from having security overnight, there are
other factors to take into consideration:
• Does the marina have security gates and an
electronic access control system?
• Are there CCTV cameras that maintain a
record of events at the marina?
• Does the marina have a history of break-ins
or damage to vessels?
• Does the marina hold keys to vessels, and is
there a procedure for signing keys in and out?
Asking these questions, and knowing what
security measures are in place, will help you
put your mind at rest, that you and your boat
are safe.
EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE
OF STAFF
The staff managing the marina must be credible
and can put you at ease. You must ensure that
the staff working there have a passion for boats
and are knowledgeable enough to be able to
help you and advise you on your daily needs,
whether they are maintenance issues or even
suggestions to make your trips more enjoyable.
Passion plays a very important part in the
marina and boating industries, and a marina
run by experienced boaters will reflect the
need of the boaters.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
PROCEDURES
It is important to check what happens in an
emergency and whether there are the correct
response procedures in place in the case of a:
• Medical Emergency: All the staff should
be trained in emergency first aid and there
should also be the required first aid kit on
site including a Defibrillator and Oxygen.
• Fire Emergency: Marinas are also required
to have fire extinguishers, fire hose reels and
hydrants. Fire and emergency drills should
also be held on a regular basis so as to test
these procedures.
• Fuel Spills: For fuel spills, marinas are
required to have spill response kits on site
which include booms and absorbent pads to
contain and address the issues.
• Storms: It is important to ask how the marina
has faired through any strong storms in the
past, and what their response was. Also, how
vulnerable they are for future storms.
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
Boating relies on the environment, and since
marinas are vulnerable to the effects of climate
change, they should have a responsibility to
protect the environment with their operating
practices as well as to promote environmentally
sustainable boating. Ask questions, and make
sure that the marina which you choose to use
is environmentally friendly.
RECIPROCAL ARRANGEMENTS
Cruising is fun and a great way to enjoy your
boat. Ask whether the marina has any reciprocal
berthing arrangements with other nearby
marinas, where you could berth for a couple of
nights at another marina at a discount.
ACCREDITATION AND AWARDS
Accreditation is a sure way of knowing what
type of service a marina provides. In the same
way, which hotels have a star rating so as to
categorize them, marinas have a Gold Anchor
Standard. Under this standard, marinas are
accredited against a strict and comprehensive
set of criteria that covers the physical facility,
its amenities and the services provided by the
marina management.
Accreditation and awards are an important
reflection of a marina's commitment to quality
and customer service. By readily submitting
themselves to third-party reviews, the marina
demonstrates its commitment to consistent
quality and service.
VALUE FOR MONEY
This last factor depends on both the budget
and the boat owner's need. Marina fees
reflect the location, services available,
security, convenience, and a number of other
considerations, mainly mentioned above. MS
Courtesy: Boatcare Ltd
Portomaso Marina Malta:
a Five Gold Anchors Destination
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