"Hans" wrote in message
...

Hi!

I am hoping to get opinion(s) on signs posted in Marinas.

We are medium sized marina in a fairly sparsely populated area on the
Intercoastal Waterway.

We have very few signs posted other than the obligatory "No
Trespassing" sign so we can call the local law if we need to.

There has been a proposal that we add significant signage the has all
the "No's" on them.

No Fishing from the piers.
No swimming.
No Trespassing
No Parking unless member or guest
and so on.

There seems to be 2 schools of thought on what these signs will mean
to prospective slip buyers. If we post lots of signs up and down the
slips.

1. Wow! "These guys run a tight ship! My boat should be safe here."

2. Boy! There must be a lot of problems to have so many signs! I'm not
sure I would be comfortable keeping my boat here."

What would your impression be?

In actual practice, other than fishing from the piers, there haven't
been a lot of problems so I am really just asking, what creates a
better image for the marina. Lots of signs or few as possible?

I would really appreciate any comments.

Thanks!



--

This space available for a really clever sig



This space available for a really clever sig


Signs can work against you if you do not enforce the rules posted on them.
They can also be done to such an excess that they become meaningless and
tacky.

Rather than putting up a bunch of signs invest the money in safety
equipment. Do you have life rings and hand held fire extinguishers every
500 feet or so of water frontage? Is there an emergency phone available
outside for 911 only calls? Is your exterior lighting adequate at the docks
and parking lot?

Now check your risk transfer controls. Are your contracts worded properly,
spelling out all rules and regulations and requiring proof of insurance
(liability) from your customers? Is "no swimming off the docks" noted in
the contract? Do you make clear in the contract that you are not
responsible for injuries, accidents, or damages caused by the customer or
their guests? Has an attorney reviewed your contract? Do you allow
contractors on site without first checking into your office (a sign is
needed) and showing proof of insurance before they can work on a boat? Do
the contractors you hire show proof of insurance annually?

I would focus on the safety and risk transfer controls before I started to
put up a bunch of signs that most folks will likely ignore. I hope this
helps. ;-)