As someone who’s spent years working closely with marina operators around the world, I’ve had a front-row seat to the technological revolution sweeping through our industry.
Many marinas now have sensors in place to monitor everything from electricity use to water quality, while some are embracing artificial technology, automated alerts based on the GPS positions of incoming boats, and even underwater drones to monitor biosecurity risks.
Technologies like these are fundamentally changing the way marinas operate and how their clients experience their facilities, and adopting them provides immense opportunity to do things faster, better and on a grander scale.
Smart marinas and the internet of things
The ‘internet of things’ has docked permanently, transforming traditional marinas into connected, responsive environments. Smart sensors monitoring everything from electricity usage to water quality and weather conditions are creating safer, more streamlined marina operations.
Real-time monitoring systems can now alert staff to unusual power usage that might indicate an issue with a boat, automatically adjust lighting to save energy, or detect water-quality changes that might warrant attention. Some marinas are even implementing automated mooring systems, reducing reliance on manual labour and improving efficiency.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an essential tool for forward-thinking marina operators. The most exciting aspect of AI in marina management is that we're just scratching the surface of its potential. As these systems continue to learn and improve, their value to marina operations will only increase, and their potential to save time and money is incredible.
AI systems can analyse years of occupancy data to forecast busy periods with remarkable accuracy, allowing marinas to optimise staffing and resource allocation. They can also help identify patterns in equipment failures before they happen, potentially saving thousands in emergency repairs and minimising disruption for boaters.
Streamlined software solutions
Perhaps the most transformative trend I've observed is the shift away from juggling multiple different software systems towards comprehensive marina-management platforms that handle everything from berth bookings to financial reporting from a single dashboard.
Marina customers today expect the same level of digital convenience they experience in other aspects of their lives. They want to book berths online, update their personal information, upload required documentation and make payments – all through an intuitive interface accessible from any device, including smartphones.
Our own PacsoftNG platform embodies this unified approach. With our recently launched Booking Module complementing our existing Customer Portal, marina operators can now offer their customers a complete self-service experience. This has the twin benefit of improving customer satisfaction and reducing the administrative workload for marina staff.
Biosecurity and environmental technology
As invasive species and marine pollution continue to threaten coastal ecosystems, biosecurity technology is becoming increasingly important in marina management. Advanced systems for hull cleaning and environmental monitoring are being adopted by environmentally-conscious marinas worldwide.
Underwater drones equipped with cameras can now inspect hulls for invasive species without requiring boats to be lifted out of the water. Automated monitoring systems can detect contaminants in marina waters and alert management to potential issues before they become serious problems. New accreditation is also being developed to recognise marinas making progress towards biosecurity and environmental outcomes, available through the International Clean Marina Program.
Focus on smartphone communication
The final trend making waves in our industry is the move toward mobile-first communication systems that enhance both everyday operations and emergency response capabilities. With nearly all boat owners carrying smartphones, marinas which want to stay ahead of their competitors are ensuring all their communications are accessible from these devices.
Geofenced notifications can welcome boaters as they approach the marina and provide real-time navigation assistance to their assigned berth. During emergencies, these same systems can deliver critical safety information or evacuation instructions directly to everyone in the marina.
Full steam ahead
These five trends represent just the beginning of what is an exciting period of innovation in marina technology. As these technologies mature and new ones emerge, the marinas that thrive will be those that embrace change, while keeping their focus on what truly matters: providing exceptional service to the boating community.
