As part of their ongoing digital transformation, MDL Marinas is launching a second pilot program at their Hamble Point Marina near Southampton, following a successful initial trial in May 2023 at Queen Anne’s Battery in Plymouth. During the first trial, Falco’s compact wireless sensors were deployed on the visitor pontoon to monitor occupancy in real time. The data collected is transmitted to the Havenstar Marina Management System, allowing the marina to track berth availability and manage visitor berthing more efficiently.
What makes this smart solution so beneficial? The sensors help automate various operational processes at the marina, freeing up staff to focus on customer service and enhancing the overall visitor experience. With real-time information on boat movements, the marina can better optimise visitor berthing and quickly accommodate visiting boaters. Additionally, the data collected offers valuable insights into marina usage, aiding in future infrastructure planning.
The Hamble Point Marina deployment marks the second phase of the MDL/Falco visitor berthing pilot program. In June 2024, Falco’s occupancy sensors were installed on nearly 100 berths. An additional feature implemented at Hamble Point is the ability to automatically request berth holders to specify their expected return once they’ve departed from their berth. This functionality, enabled by the integration between Falco and Havenstar, allows the marina to quickly identify and allocate available berths, thereby increasing visitor traffic and optimising berth usage. Additionally, it ensures the berth is available again when a berth holder returns.