MARKETING
DEVELOPMENT
Fuel Berth
(formerly Cowes Harbour Fuels)
Strategic Plan Objectives
Conduct review of fuel berth operations: Review operation and potential options and sites to
improve effi ciency and eliminate requirement for supply barge. 2017
Whilst several potential sites have been identifi ed, the review of Fuel Berth operations will continue through
2018 as decisions on larger development projects within the harbour will have a strong infl uence on the ultimate
location of the Cowes Harbour Services fuel barge.
Fuel Berth Report
The Fuel Berth continues to provide all states of tide access to marine fuels, bottled gas and engine additives, seven
days a week, for harbour users. The fuel barge Top Up was slipped in early 2018, in line with the planned maintenance
schedule, to undergo a full hull inspection and a fresh coat of paint. Further remediation work is planned for the Fuel
Berth to improve aesthetics and working conditions for the staff.
Marketing
Strategic Plan Objectives
Promote services: Promote CHC’s marine services, facilities, branding and sponsorship
opportunities to assist in achieving annual business revenue targets. 2016-2021
Targeted marketing is conducted year-round with an emphasis on cross-marketing between CHC marine services
to cater to our existing customer base and encourage new business.
CHC marketing activities are focused locally on the Isle of Wight and in the Solent, with promotions and
advertorial appearing in print and online, as well as in direct E-marketing to our marine services customers.
Advertising in national publications over the past year has included the Reeds Marina Guide, All At Sea, and
Sailing Today.
CHC offers a wide range of fl ag and banner branding and sponsorship opportunities ideal for promoting
businesses, products and services to an ABC1 audience. Rate card brochures promote the opportunities
available at CHC sites for Lendy Cowes Week as well as for other key events in the Cowes calendar:
cowesharbourcommission.co.uk/branding_and_sponsorship
Improve services: Implement customer feedback and response policies across CHC’s marine
service businesses to ensure continual improvement in services provided. 2016-2021
CHC has started to introduce dedicated customer questionnaires and surveys to provide essential feedback on
our marine services and to drive future improvements; this work will continue to be expanded.
Cruise ships: Work with Destination Cowes, Visit Isle of Wight and other key stakeholders to
promote and attract increased cruise vessel visits to Cowes. 2016-2021
CHC is working proactively with Destination Cowes and Visit Isle of Wight to promote Cowes as a unique
destination port-of-call, encouraged by the rising demand in the cruise ship market, including growth in the
Northern European luxury cruise market.
CHC works to market our marine services to harbour users in a manner designed to provide value for money to
customers and that promotes the overall improvement in the marine services available in Cowes Harbour.
Our Schedule of Charges promotional leafl et is our key advertising tool for CHC’s marine services:
cowesharbourcommission.co.uk/chc_marine_services_charges, with plans this season to also produce specifi c
marketing leafl ets for The Sugar Store Events Centre, and a bespoke marketing portfolio for our Cowes Harbour
Services multi-disciplinary afl oat team.
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cowesharbourcommission.co.uk
/cowesharbourcommission
@cowesharbour