Unlock the Secrets: How Marinas Can Elevate the Boating Experience with Seamless WiFi and Connectivity
If you’re a boater, you’ve undoubtedly experienced the agony of attempting to connect to the ‘Free WiFi’ at a marina, only to be met with dismal speeds and constant dropouts. And that's assuming you can even get WiFi signal from your berthed vessel. This experience feels a little like the early days of hotel wifi in the mid 2000’s when networks were thrown together quickly, served by low bandwidth and specialist WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) designers were few and far between. It was a kind of “Spray and Pray” moment for WiFi, which seems like a distant memory now.
But fast forward to 2024, why is the boating community and the internet awash (pun intended) with torrid tales of WiFi woe for the booming marina sector? Money perhaps? No. It doesn't appear so. The sector is actually undergoing somewhat of a renaissance. Big business is buying into marinas including MA Financial who have acquired 14 marinas in less than 2 years.
“ …marinas are an emerging institutional asset class. The returns on offer are increasingly attracting more sophisticated investors and as the sector matures it will gain access to institutional capital to facilitate investment in key growth drivers: economies of scale to extract greater operational efficiencies, and the integration of technology solutions to capture higher earnings and value upside.” …. Daniel Hargreaves (MA Financial Fund Manager -Investing in Marinas)
The economic landscape is promising. Major corporations are expressing interest, and one out of every ten Australians owns a boat. Demand for berths exceeds supply. Additionally, the local experiential tourism industry is on the rise. Notably, the emerging millennial HENRY (High Earners Not Rich Yet) boating class represents the largest demographic of new boat buyers and users. They seek distinctive experiences and spaces that offer both luxury and functionality.
Recent developments in marinas indicate a positive shift. Enhanced customer services now include features such as personalized concierge services accessible via apps or websites, private WiFi networks, and vessel-specific CCTV. Additionally, marinas have upgraded their amenities, including improved cafes, restaurants, function centers, media rooms, lounges, and mail services. Watercraft hire and day spa facilities are also becoming more commonplace.
Furthermore, to accommodate the growing patronage, marina operators are adopting advanced technologies. These include berth occupancy sensors, intelligent CCTV systems with analytics and people counters, 24-hour autonomous fuel pumping stations, and smart access control systems. These innovations contribute to both safety and operational efficiency within marinas."
Effective Wi-Fi and network infrastructure design play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless access to essential services and are fundamental to any Digital Transformation initiative. Marinas, with their distinct characteristics, pose specific challenges for WLAN planning, and each marina presents a unique context.
With reliable WiFi and network infrastructure, boaters can enjoy uninterrupted streaming, smooth video calls, efficient remote work, and real-time updates on weather and navigation. Additionally, it enhances the overall user experience by making it easier to capture experiences on social media or access marina services, such as booking reservations, ordering food and drinks, and receiving personalized recommendations. By investing in robust WiFi and network infrastructure, marinas can attract and retain customers, differentiate themselves from competitors, and create a truly connected and enjoyable boating experience for their patrons.
If you're a Marina owner or operator and your marina's WiFi network isn't performing optimally, it's time to take action. Don't let your customers continue to suffer from slow speeds and dropped connections. Contact a Marina network WLAN designer today to have your network reviewed. A professional designer can identify the problems with your current network and design a new network that will provide your customers with the seamless WiFi experience they expect and will provide smooth sailing into the digital age.
