Case Study

Famous as the ‘home of yachting’, Cowes is a busy English harbor that attracts boaters from around the world. Alongside the leisure activity, Cowes is a commercial port with over 30,000 shipping movements each year.

The harbor authority operates 600 moorings and a 130-slip marina and is responsible for the maintenance of all the harbor infrastructure. A requirement for better reporting and the desire to improve customer experience got the team looking for new software: “It is clear that the system is way ahead of the competition,” said Ed Walker, Cowes harbormaster.

Seasonal licenses, transient dockage, fuel sales, haul out and storage, plus commercial pilotage and landing fees all go through the system. The maintenance team are active users, managing all assets from nav lights and safety ladders to docks and workboats.

With high volumes of arrivals most weekends and during regattas, dockhands report that they are able to check-in boaters more quickly than before, and customers like the choice of payment methods.

Cowes Harbour Commission – www.cowes.co.uk