Boat owners call for better Wi-Fi and parking in marinas

Sunday 31 March 2019

Ports of Jersey have vowed to improve Wi-Fi access and parking provision in Jersey marinas after local boat owners identified them as key issues.

The service provided by the team at Jersey Marinas recorded an overall satisfaction level of 94%, but Wi-Fi access (48%) and parking (46%) were the two lowest scores recorded as areas of dissatisfaction.

The findings came in the annual Jersey Boat Owners Satisfaction Survey, which was distributed earlier this year to a database of over 1,300 locally registered owners.

Questions asked ranged from the cleanliness of the facilities - such as pontoons and public walkways - to services provided, including Wi-Fi access, recycling opportunities, access to holding pontoons and trolley availability.

273 online responses were received. Overall, the feedback was positive - in particular, relating to staff helpfulness (98%), opening hours of the Marine Leisure Centre (97%), cleanliness of the public areas and walkways (90%) as well as those of the pontoons (94%).

Pictured: Mike Tait, who is retiring this week, welcomed the results of the latest survey.

Mike Tait, Group Leisure Manager for Ports of Jersey, said that the Marinas team were "particularly pleased with the high satisfaction levels being recorded in relation to the team itself and the services we provide to our customers, which appear to be rising year on year".

He acknowledged that some services "continue to fall below our expected level" - something he described as "very disappointing" - but vowed to address the Wi-fi and parking issues "as best we can".

"It has to be said, though, that Wi-Fi delivery in a marine environment is exceptionally difficult as is the provision of parking for all during high seasonal demand,” he noted. 

The results are published in the same week as Mr Tait retires from his role at Jersey Marinas, after 27 years in the ‘public sector’ - seven of which have been spent at Ports of Jersey.

Pictured: Boat owners are largely happy with the service provided by Jersey Marinas. 

Speaking of his departure, he said: “I am stepping down with a touch of sadness of course but am immensely proud to be leaving behind a great group at Jersey Marinas who have worked as a team in recent years to achieve so much to enhance our services and facilities, not only for the benefit our local boating community but also for those of our visiting yachtsmen.

"The Jersey Marine Leisure brand is in good shape.  The enormously successful Jersey Boat Show, retention of our 5 Gold Anchor status for all our marinas for the past 12 consecutive years and the recent award for Best ‘British Coastal Marina of the Year’ in 2018 for St Helier Marina have all contributed to a well-deserved high profile.

"This survey sees our satisfaction levels among our customers reflect this hard work and I wish everyone involved with Jersey Marinas every continued and well-deserved success."