By
Michele Witthaus |
British Waterways Marinas Ltd (BWML) has been recognised in the newly designed Gold Anchor Award Scheme, which rates marinas by measures including a berth holder survey, mystery shopping and inspection by assessors.
The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA) runs the awards, which rank participating marinas for factors such as safety and service levels. This group of assessments brings the total number of Gold Anchor rated marinas on the Inland Waterways to 30.
Over a two week period, two members of the Gold Anchor team visited each BWML marina to meet with the manager and assess the facilities and services. The 16 participating marinas were awarded between one and five Gold Anchors each. Winning the highest ratings at five Gold Anchors was Sawley Marina on the River Trent in Nottinghamshire, which also houses the BWML head office. One of the UK’s largest inland marinas with 600 berths, Sawley is easily accessible with a good range of facilities onsite.
“We are very pleased to have taken part in the TYHA assessment,” said BWML director Derek Newton. “We have a range of marinas across the country and whether graded at one or five anchors we will work hard and endeavour to please and support our customers. TYHA are to be congratulated on the delivery of their new international award scheme on marine standards and BWML fully intend supporting these aims to help improve standards across the industry. It is our intention to commit to continued improvements and obtain higher TYHA Gold Anchor recognition going forward.”
General manager of TYHA Gareth Turnbull said: “Throughout this process the BWML team have shown that they are committed to improving standards and meeting the needs of boat owners on the Inland Waterways network. I would like to congratulate Derek and his team on their commitment and investment in facilities.”
Earlier this month, Overwater Marina near Audlem, Cheshire was the first marina on the British Waterways network to be awarded five Gold Anchors in the TYHA assessment after being in operation for only 18 months.