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The charity making life better by water

Progress on the better boating plan: communication & customer service

We want to make it easier for boaters to tell us if there is a problem so we can fix it.

Being able to find up-to-date information is important, so we'll improve the communication and customer service you receive and provide more opportunities to meet and talk with us.

We’ll develop a Boater App

Our Boater App will make it easier for boaters to access the online services provided by us when and where they want. For example, you'll be able to report faults and find out what has been reported already.

Our target: We'll launch the first version of our app by April 2026.

A timeline showing the development of a boating app, starting with requirement testing in 2025 and followed by technical approval, procurement and project kick-off, development and testing, and launch in 2026.

We'll improve our stoppage notices system

Our improved system will make sure the information for boaters is clear and accurate – adding photos so that boaters can see the cause of the stoppage and what we're doing to resolve it. Our booking system for operated structures and pre-bookable moorings will be updated to make it more customer-friendly and easier for boaters to use.

Our targetOur progress
Phase 1 of new stoppage system in place by June 2025.Phase 1 of new stoppage notice system in will provide IT system stability.
Phase 2 of new stoppage system in place by the end of 2025.Phase 2 of new stoppage notice system will provide photo images and improved information accuracy.

We'll improve how we communicate

We'll improve how we communicate with boaters. Our Boaters' Update e-bulletin will be updated, and we'll increase our social media boating activity. We’ll provide more opportunities for boaters to meet and speak with our colleagues. We'll publish a 12-month calendar of boater meeting dates.

Our targetOur progress
Boaters' Update transferred onto Marketo platform by June 2025. By moving the email distribution from MailChimp to Marketo, we will be better linked up to our customer database which will enable us to improve communications to boaters. Additionally, as Marketo is now the primary way we send bulk emails, meaning efficiency and, potentially, monetary savings.
Increased number of boaters signed up to receive Boaters' Update.Current number of subscribers is 19,737.
Increased boating social media output and engagement.We've recruited a new boating social media executive. In the first three months of 2025, we’ve had a combined profile reach of over 300,000 and over 1000 new followers on Facebook alone.

We’ll provide more opportunities to speak with colleagues

We’ll provide more opportunities for boaters to meet and speak with our colleagues. We'll publish a 12-month calendar of boater meeting dates.

Our targetOur progress
12-month calendar of meetings published by end of September 2024.Find our meeting calendar below.
Increase attendance at meetings for boaters.We've had over 150 attendees over seven meetings in the first three months of 2025.

Last Edited: 01 April 2025

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