Ensuring that your pontoons, bridges and other marina infrastructure are in good condition is important both for safety reasons and for keeping your users happy. While structural repairs are best done by the professionals, regular inspections by marina staff can lead to the identification and correction of minor issues before they deteriorate any further, and will keep everything looking smart and efficient. So:
1. Set up a programme of scheduled maintenance works based on 6 and 12 month cycles - and stick to it!
2. Ensure that your maintenance team has the correct tools for the job.
3. Walk around your marina with your eyes open and repair/replace anything untoward immediately, eg broken deckboards, loose cleats, damaged fenders etc.
4. Listen as you walk around - you can generally hear the noise made by loose connection bolts and rubbers. The joints are generally the most vulnerable part of a berthing facility.
5. Check all components associated with access bridges and ramps. These are very important as they generally carry most of the traffic on to and off marinas and jetties.
6. Carry out regular visual inspections of all piled moorings and pile guides.
7. Give the hardwood decking a not-too-strong jet wash annually using salt water, this can enhance the look of a marina immediately.
8. Finally, don’t forget to check all fixtures and fittings in your marina, especially with regard to health and safety items such as ladders, lifebelts and fire extinguishers. You never know when they might be required.