There are over 1 million slips located in marinas throughout the U.S. Each of these is designed to house a boat and offer easy access, but there are often limitations that can compromise functionality. Many marina ideas are centered around appearances, but shifting towards a focus on safety and accessibility can yield even better results and minimize potential liabilities. This, in turn, can lower the risk of marina insurance claims. If you’re looking for marina designs that improve functionality, you should take the following four factors into account.

Types of Boats

One of the most important considerations for marina renovations is the type of boat that each slip is intended to accommodate. If you plan to primarily serve owners of large yachts, you will need to make slips much bigger than those that are made for smaller boats. They may also require additional features such as a lift to accommodate boarding the boat. It’s best to take a survey of local boat owners to determine what kinds of boats most people have. You can then plan accordingly and serve more potential clients.

Local Regulations

When designing a marina, the importance of local regulations cannot be overstated. You will likely need to obtain permits before you start building or doing major renovations. Though these permits might seem like a hassle, they’re intended to prevent hazardous structures, which is important when you’re operating a business. You need to comply with all applicable regulations in order to maintain a safe area and ensure that your marina insurance rates don’t go up, too.

Available Space

You may have grandiose plans of constructing a major marina, but if you do not have the available space, your plans must be adjusted. A marina by a lake, for example, will typically be more limited than a marina that’s by an ocean. It’s important to account for the space that additional amenities such as kayak storage may take up. In many cases, it’s best to reserve space for these activities instead of devoting the entirety of your marina’s footprint to slips for boat storage.

Safety Features

Safety is the most important consideration of all. You need to ensure that every guest at your marina is safe when they step foot onto your property. As such, you should plan and budget for features such as nighttime lighting, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and a security system. These features can help keep your marina safe and make your patrons feel secure, too. If a guest happens to make mention of a safety issue, you should always pay close attention and investigate any problems. This is the best way to prevent some of the most common liabilities that could lead to injuries.

About Mariners Insurance

Mariners General Insurance Group was founded in 1959 to protect boat owners and marine business clients. We are marine insurance experts and insure boats worldwide – in every ocean on the planet. Marine insurance is critical if you own a boat or nautical business. Trust the professionals with all of your Boat Insurance needs – trust Mariners Insurance. Call us at (888) 402-5018 any time you have questions or concerns about insurance for your vessel or marine business.