May June 2020 Marina World

CRISIS MANAGEMENT
Owners were still able to access their boats
at Marina Palms in Aventura, Florida,
despite the general coronavirus ‘shut
down’.
Group feedback:
lockdown and beyond
Managing marinas as the coronavirus threat increased called for new
initiatives and special measures. Although core action in terms of hygiene
and social distancing was universal, marina groups devised their own specific
action plans.
US Marina Group:
Jim Bronstien
Lockdown: Our marinas in Florida
were ‘shut down’ for a period of time
but, in reality, they remained open as
boats were still accessible by owners,
crew and vendors. Fuel operations were
also restricted but only for a few weeks.
Our marina in Panama was technically
shut down as well. Boat movements on
the water were restricted and are just
opening back up [14 th May].
Panama had a stronger stay at
home order that limited men to go out
for essentials like food on Monday,
Wednesday and Friday and women on
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and
no one out on Sunday. We reduced our
staff to 50% pay and work.
Opening: Boating activities have
increased as one of the few opportunities
for leisure activities. Our boat club
business grew in activity levels the day
boating was again allowed. There was
lots of pent up demand to boat and get
out of the house. Boating also got a lot of
unintended press – mostly good, some
not as good, but it gave an increased
Croatia has experienced a lower impact
from COVID-19 than many other European
countries. Customers are using their boats
at D-Marin Borik with sensible
measures in place.
awareness of how you can socially
distance yourself and be safe.
D-Marin network:
Dean Smith
Lockdown: The restrictions imposed
by the different governments affecting
our marinas were very similar and
social distancing and hygiene standards
were imposed in each facility. The
marinas remained open for enquiries
and administration but were closed to
customers visiting and using their boats.
Our management approach was
common across the countries in that
the health and safety of the staff and
customers was our highest priority. The
teams worked split shifts and all of the
safe systems of work were reviewed.
For those clients who were far away
from their vessels, we made sure that
they could request service providers
who could look after their boat in their
absence.
Opening: As soon as the lockdown
rules were eased boat owners
immediately started to arrive to spend
some time on their boats, undertaking
maintenance or simply sailing.
Everyone is aware how important it is
to be responsible and cautious in order
to stay safe. New social distancing and
hygiene plans were put in place and the
customers were happy to follow them
given that it allowed them to get back
on the water.
F3 Marina: Dani Mill
Lockdown: The marina we manage
in Panama City, Panama has been
closed since the government put
severe restrictions on their citizens [as
at 26 th May]. The marinas we manage
in Florida were open and the effects
on our customers and staff were more
immediate. We worked as an entire
company to ensure our staff were safe
and comfortable providing our worldclass
service to our customers.
Our Great Lakes area marinas did
not allow customers in the marina office
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