Marina Dock Age, May/June 2003

Homeland Security and the Marina Manager
by Dennis P. Kissman

A colleague of mine recently asked about my thoughts regarding the Coast Guard’s request that marina owners and managers increase vigilance at their facilities. This request supports Operation Liberty Shield, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s comprehensive plan to increase protective measures across the country since 9/11.  

While I fully support this request, I also have a problem, not with the request, but with how poorly understood this industry is by people outside of it. The fact is that marina managers already do a very good job of providing the sort of vigilance that these homeland security measures propose. Personally, I think this is another example of how we in this industry do not promote ourselves effectively and give ourselves credit when it is due.

Vigilance is part of any marina manager’s job

As we all know, a marina is very much a hands-on business. All marina managers that are worth their salt are well aware of everything that goes on in their marinas. I cannot think of a single one who works a standard 40-hour week. All of them put in the extra time that it takes to keep on top of their businesses. Most marina managers I come in contact with know more about their customers and their habits than their customers’ own neighbors.

In the normal course of a day, a marina manager spends plenty of time on the docks or around the marina, checking on things and making contact with customers and other people on the property. Likewise, the marina staff is also moving about the marina as part of their normal responsibilities, often times interacting with these same people as well. It is this continual but random customer interaction that deters illicit activities from taking place. People that intend to do harm to others will shy away from this sort of attention.

Our industry’s weak spot

While most marinas are very good about maintaining this sort of friendly vigilance, the weak spot—if there is one—is in keeping information up to date regarding who is allowed access to boats. If anything were to happen using a boat based at your marina, it would most likely be a result of unauthorized use. Therefore, your system of record keeping should always have an up-to-date list of all persons authorized to use boats at your marina. This list should include their relationships with the boat's owner. Do not be afraid to challenge and ask for positive identification from unfamiliar people when they are on your docks or on a boat in your marina. Continue »