Activities in the land areas are also regulated, but usually by the laws and ordinances of 

 the local governing authority. The manager may find that the U.S. Coast Guard or the State 

 boating agency regulates activities in the water, whereas the city or county pohce and fire 

 department enforce the laws and protective ordinances on land. In both land and water 

 areas the manager can best protect himself and the owner against property damage, injury, 

 and law suits by making patrons clearly aware of the prevaihng rules and regulations and by 

 insisting that the harbormaster enforce them courteously but firmly. The judicious use of 

 sign posting and dissemination of written information will be helpful, but personal contacts 

 through pubhc meetings will often be the best way to educate the patrons. Classes in 

 navigation and safety should be promoted with the assistance of the U.S. Coast Guard, the 

 U.S. Power Squadron, or the local yacht club. National Association of Engine and Boat 

 Manufacturers (1967) contains a sample set of rules and regulations, and, if modified to 

 reflect local needs, could be adopted by the management of a small-craft facility. 



Regardless of the efforts toward patron education and ehmination of physical hazards, 

 the owner of a small-craft facility may still be sued for damages and injuries due to accident 

 or other causes. The most common types are: (a) damage to berthed craft while unattended, 

 caused by disasters, acts of other patrons, or vandaUsm, (b) dropped craft at hoists, (c) 

 vehicles skidding down into the water at an alleged improperly designed or maintained 

 ramp, (d) any kind of fire damage to berthed or dry -stored craft in the owner's absence, (e) 

 damage due to wave or surge battering of berthed craft (claiming inadequate protection), (f ) 

 hull or propeller damage due to colhsion with submerged obstructions, especially at low 

 water level, (g) falling injuries due to steep gangways, gaps in handrails, tripping obstacles, 

 and other possible causes, (h) injuries due to accidents in using equipment provided for 

 harbor or launching operations, and (i) accidental drownings in the harbor area. 



The marina owner should have insurance against Uable suits for any of the above-Usted or 

 other accidents to users of the harbor, and also against accidental damage to or loss of the 

 facilities and equipment and injuries to employees. The common types of insurance are fire, 

 automobile liabiUty, public Uability, workmen's compensation, and marina operator's 

 liability. National Association of Engine and Boat Manufacturers (1967) contains a detailed 

 discussion of insurance policies and the operator's habihty in all areas of small-craft facility 

 operations. The insurance coverage of the harbor should be reviewed periodically to ensure 

 that it is adequate. Insurance companies change their insuring poUcies from time to time and 

 may offer endorsements to cover specitd needs as they arise. Some insurance agents are not 

 completely famUiar with small-craft harbor operation and may fail to reaUze aU of the 

 potential hazards. In the final analysis, the manager is responsible for seeing that insurance 

 policies held by the owner provide aU the protection needed. 



d. Maintenance. The limited scope of this report does not permit inclusion of a 

 comprehensive discussion of all the problems commonly encountered in maintaining a 

 small-craft harbor. Maintenance of buildings, landscaping, roads, walks, parking lots, and 



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