5 minute read
BOAT STORAGE
Investment in ‘smart marina’ pays dividends
In 2020, Gulf Star Marina in Florida became the world’s first smart marina to feature stacker crane technology developed by LTW Intralogistics of Wolfurth
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Austria, and American-based GCM
Contracting Solutions. The fullyautomated, computer-operated system safely transports boats from dry stack storage to the water in minutes using an electric lift-and-rail system, which provides a number of significant benefits.
These include increased capacity and a boost to client satisfaction, leading to higher occupancy rates.
“Boat owners started calling and e-mailing as soon as we began taking reservations because they recognised this new smart marina would provide both convenience and security,” said Todd Carroll, owner of Carroll Properties and developer of Gulf Star Marina. “This new technology is allowing us to safely store more boats than similar-sized marinas that use a forklift system, thus increasing our revenue.”
Gulf Star Marina is a 2,694 square metre, four-level facility that can accommodate boats and yachts up to 12 metres in length. The marina itself is a bunker-like, reinforced concrete structure, providing superior fire, wind and rain protection. Monthly prices are based on vessel size. Just a year after opening, Gulf Star Marina is essentially at capacity.
According to Carroll, there are several factors that have led to the marina’s success. LTW and GCM spent nearly a decade codeveloping futuristic technology to automate the storage and retrieval process for boats. Although automation is not new
to the marine industry, ASAR’s fully-automated, dry stack storage solution offers multiple advantages for marina owners such as:
c Space-efficient architectural designs. c Lower personnel costs due to automation. c Reduced potential for boat damage during transport. c Environmentally-friendly electric transport system.
Gulf Star Marina’s computer system recognises where each boat is stored, so when it’s time to transport a boat to the water, the stacker crane simply brings the vessel to ground level. Then, the rail system carries the boat toward the water before another lift lowers the vessel into the water. The entire process takes just a few minutes.
“It’s been compared to a hightech vending machine for boats,” said Andrew Wagner, Operations Manager at Gulf Star Marina. “This particular technology has never been used at a marina and has drawn worldwide attention from marina developers and owners.”
Concrete walls
Gulf Star Marina originally opened in the 1970s as a steel facility, but time and weather began taking a toll on the structure. Rebuilt in 2020 as a concrete facility, exterior and interior walls range in thickness from 18-30 cm. Walls are rated to withstand winds up to 282 kph. Each storage bay has its own compartmentalised structure, a design feature that can slow down or stop a fire from spreading.
An all-concrete, steel-reinforced structure can also help to reduce insurance premiums for marina operators and the owners of boats that are stored at the facility.
“Gulf Star Marina accommodates some of the industry’s most expensive boats and yachts, so when you’re talking about a significant investment like that, you want to make sure they’re protected from the elements, especially during the hurricane season,” added Carroll.
Compared to traditional marinas, which build in extra space for forklifts to manoeuvre, ASAR’s stacker crane technology can increase a marina’s leasable cubic space by an average of 30% to 50%. This allows marinas to store multiple boats inside each bay on each level, thus maximising
profits for marinas.
Traditional marinas with a forklift system must also store large boats on lower levels and small boats on upper levels. ASAR rises above those limitations to store multiple small, medium or large boats on any level.
“With waterfront real estate at a premium, the advantages of a compact, space-efficient marina are obvious,” explained Carroll. “An ASAR marina makes use of all available space and accommodates more boats, which generates a higher return on investment.”
Amenities
Boaters are looking for more features in a marina than just a place to store their boat. At Gulf Star Marina, all boaters enjoy access to the Captain’s Club, which features a lounge, bigscreen TV, computer station and fully-equipped locker rooms with showers. A few steps away is the Ship Store, which offers drinks, snacks, clothing, fishing gear and boating accessories.
In addition, Gulf Star Marina offers a boat cleaning service so that each vessel is washed before it heads back to storage. The marina’s fuelling station is open to members, as well as members of the public.
“The Captain’s Club has become a place where boat-owners and their families can hang out before they launch or after they return,” said Ryan Clark, the marina’s General Manager. “The Ship Store is a favourite spot to buy new fishing rods, bait, sunblock and other gear for a day on the water.”
Technology
In addition to ASAR, boaters have access to state-of-the-art technology. Through the Boat Cloud app, boat-owners can schedule their estimated arrival time and the computer-operated system will transport boats from storage to the water. Boaters also can use the app to pre-order food, snacks, drinks and ice, and staff will have items ready to go upon their arrival.
“When many boaters arrive at the marina, they don’t want to waste any time getting on the water,” said Clark. “They can request provisions or service for their boat and we’ll take care of everything before they arrive.”
Carroll Properties sought to reimagine the boating experience and, so far, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. “The new marina has made boating easier and more convenient for boat-owners while proving that innovation and technology is indeed a smart investment,” concluded Carroll, adding “Our neighbours are also pleased because our operation is quieter and cleaner than traditional marinas.”
Gulf Star Marina dockmaster@carroll-properties. com www.gulfstarmarina.com
Naval Tecno Sud
Naval Tecno Sud specialises in the design, production and supply of equipment for use in boatyards and to store and transport leisure craft in marinas. It offers a high quality range of cradles, boat stands, safety steps, work platforms dry stack storage racks and fixed and mobile booths for painting and other maintenance tasks. Versatile boat trailers, both self-propelled and towable, are also available.
