In numerous marinas along the coast, the changeover to electronic administrative processes is already underway in cooperation with specialised software companies. The reasons for this confusing state of affairs in the programmes are documented in the first part of this series. However, the introduction of booking platforms continues to divide opinion among port operators, even though the systems bring tangible structural benefits.
Automated relief in the harbour office
Most booking systems on the market are already much more than just a service for sailors. Many are complex accounting systems for harbours that simplify or completely take over a large part of the administrative processes. From the error-prone maintenance of Excel spreadsheets or tax-compliant accounting to waiting for latecomers. The latter is one of the most important advantages for both the harbours and the guest sailors, who become less dependent on the actual opening hours of the harbour office. This not only reduces the harbours' personnel costs, but also takes the pressure off the harbour masters' shoulders.
Since the start of the season, the harbour in Lohme has been demonstrating what a digital after-work service looks like in practice. In April, the harbour decided to introduce the digital booking system anny. Anny is not a stand-alone app. It provides the infrastructure for port operators to organise the digital rental of berths themselves via the port's own website.
Saving staff hours in the evening
In Lohme, the guest goes to the marina's website and books a berth. The fact that this is anny is not apparent at first glance. The operator from Lohme explains the move as follows: "We have two harbour masters who had to wait a very long time in the evening until the last sailor came in. We can simply save staff hours this way." After just a few weeks, the success of the concept has proven it right: according to the small harbour, almost 75 percent of daily bookings are now fully automated. Those who book in advance from the sea theoretically no longer have to leave the boat:
Visitors who have booked via the system don't actually come to the office any more. They simply say, I've booked. All other important information is then in our system," summarises Lohme.
Increased capacity through digital integration
In contrast, a purely software-based mediation channel is proposed by the Swiss platform boatpark which deliberately dispenses with hardware on the pontoons. The concept is based on the active integration of permanent berth holders via a digital slider in the app: when a permanent berth holder leaves, they release their box via smartphone and the box can be booked as a guest berth via the app for the duration of their absence. The system promises an automatic return guarantee in the event that the long-term berth holder wishes to return early. Permanent berths for guests are only ever extended for one night, even if the box is supposed to be free for several weeks.
The still young start-up Dock24 relies on a combination of software and physical hardware on the jetty in Kühlungsborn marina. The centrepiece is the so-called liveboard, a digital display directly on the box, which is equipped with integrated laser and camera sensors. This technology automatically recognises whether or not there is a boat on the pitch. If the harbour master has not recorded the occupancy manually, the digital folding board ensures error-free recording in real time. This prevents the creation of ghost berths and ensures that free capacity is immediately visible in the system for skippers looking for a berth.
Solution to a major problem
The possibility of making permanent berths available for guest berths is a huge advantage for the harbours. This is because the supply of permanently advertised guest berths is scarce on the coasts, as can be seen in the Yacht Berth report turned out. Many are already using Port operator the capacity of free permanent berths to accommodate guest berths. Apps such as boatpark can provide even more flexibility here and help both sailors and harbour operators to make capacity even more easily accessible.
David Ingelfinger
Volontär
