Planning the Perfect Marina from Concept to Compliance
Published on March 4, 2025
Planning marinas and small craft harbors is complex and requires the right balance of technical analysis, understanding of site constraints and creative design. Marina owners must take into account current and future-state marina markets, boater demands and compliance with a variety of design standards, accessibility best practices and regulatory requirements.
By following the standards set forth by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Manual 50, marinas can create a step-by-step plan to bring projects to successful fruition.
ASCE Design Guidelines
The ASCE is the established source of technical standards for the purposes of “promoting safety, reliability, productivity and efficiency in civil engineering.” Its Planning and Design Guidelines for Small Craft Harbors, also known as the ASCE Manuals and Reports on Engineering Practice No. 50 (“Manual 50”), is one of the go-to references for those looking to design new or renovate existing marina facilities.
Is Manual 50 the law? No. But it is the principal authoritative document used by civil engineers, architects, planners, marine contractors, real estate developers and marina owners to guide marina and small craft harbor design.
Marinas developed without consideration of Manual 50’s parameters may find themselves with a litany of troubles pertaining to marina functionality and safety. For instance, if a marina wanted to add more docks or slips than recommended (per Manual 50) for its footprint to boost revenue. Without the recommended amount of space to maneuver, boats risk colliding with one another, causing property damage, injuring individuals and prompting potential lawsuits. An attorney could defer to the industry leading standard or guide for marina design — in this case, ASCE Manual 50. So, while not legally binding, these guidelines are meant to provide safe and adequate navigation and moorage in a facility — and could potentially be used as a standard of practice in arbitration or litigation.
Recommended Steps to Marina Planning
Manual 50 has a recommended process for planning a marina, with steps that include Goal Setting; Data Gathering; Site Research; Alternative Design Concepts; Final Design, Master Planning and Permitting.
Goal Setting: In the goal-setting stage, project owners should focus on building consensus with project stakeholders such as community leaders, marina staff and marina users. It is important to provide the opportunity for input in the planning process. These opinions directly inform project priorities and design considerations. As part of these discussions, project stakeholders should also identify collective guiding principles, values, goals and objectives — all of which equate to a more holistic design and an end-product that satisfies the desires of each party.
Data Gathering: After project goals and priorities have been established, the marina designer or engineer should begin working with the owner to gather market data and weigh marina needs against site/property opportunities. Data gathered will help guide the appropriate level of development, whether renovating an existing facility or constructing a new one.
Marina Assessment Report: For existing facilities, a designer or engineer should conduct a marina assessment report that identifies the current-state strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of the business before moving forward with any preliminary design concepts. This will help determine what is working, what isn’t working and where a marina is willing to invest in redesign or expansion efforts to boost commerce and longevity.
Market Demand Analysis: For new construction projects, a thorough market demand analysis is in order. A market demand analysis looks at the existing type, size and number of specific vessels in the target area. Publicly available reports can summarize how many boats of a certain size and type are registered — and where. This data can be compared to existing marina slips available and size of slips available to help clarify regional supply and demand.
Marinas should also analyze wet and dry storage opportunities within the target area, boat-related goods and services, sales and maintenance options. They should consider future market trends and what opportunities exist to meet them, such as opportunities for electronic boats and charging stations.
Site Research: After identifying potential locations, the marina designer or engineer will review site location criteria. Will the marina be located on an inland lake, large open water body, protected harbor or on a river? The location determines how the site is laid out and what means of protection might be required. Marinas in naturally protected harbors or rivers will have simpler infrastructure requirements than those on open water bodies with fluctuating water levels and large wind and wave inputs. Unprotected locations may require wave attenuators or constructed breakwaters.
The size and location will also determine land-based design requirements. According to the experiences of Manual 50 authors, an efficiently designed marina is found to be approximately 50% water-based and 50% land-based. This considers what percentage of space is needed to accommodate each element such as automobile parking, auto-trailer parking, room for vehicle circulation, boat launches, wet slips, dry stack and winter storage areas, marina ship’s stores and public gathering spaces.
Alternative Design Concepts: Once the goals have been set, the data analyzed and the site(s) reviewed, it’s time to put pen to paper and create alternative design concepts. These concepts should address the identified needs and challenges and be reviewed so that the final design is both functional and efficient for the owner and patrons.
The development of alternative design concepts is the first real look at the refined vision for the project with associated projected costs, design details and finished marina amenities. Completion of design concepts is also when marinas should begin making inroads with permitting agencies. Even though a final design has not yet been selected, it is worthwhile to introduce regulators to the concept of the project and gain their input on any potential obstacles before designs are final and a master plan is in place.
Harbor Configuration: Harbor configuration standards are used to begin diagramming layouts and specific-use areas. This phase reviews waterside layouts and utilizes guidelines from Manual 50 to plot out dock locations, sizing, slip counts and slip arrangements, navigational clearances, channel sizing, clear widths and more. It also assesses any other marina siting needs such as basin flushing areas, launch ramps, accesses and approaches, shoreline stabilization areas, basin depths and mooring fields — as well as any landside public spaces or recreational areas.
This phase of the project also attends to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility standards to ensure all inner harbor structures, water-to-land connectors and land-based support facilities are not only compliant but also welcoming to users of all ages and abilities.
Facilities & Amenities: Next, marina owners will work with their designer on selecting preferred marina facility attributes and amenities. This encompasses many things, from dock composition and decking to dock anchorage, covered or open wet slips, transient dockage, navigational aids, electric and sanitary pump-out options, location of power pedestals, fire suppression units, fuel stations, Wi-Fi, safety/security features and any other unique additions marinas might include to make themselves stand out from the competition.
Final Design and Permitting: After a review of preliminary design concepts, marina owners and project stakeholders will select a preferred option, which solidifies decisions about site configuration, infrastructure layout, amenities and finishing touches — resulting in the final design.
This decision then kick-starts the development of a master planning document, which includes a review of the pre-established project goals, market demand data, site location research results, alternative design concepts and final design of choice, with a more refined expectation of costs and strategies to implementation.
With a final design and master plan in hand, marinas should engage in the next round of conversations with local, state and federal permitting agencies. It generally takes 90-120 days after submitting a permit application before it is finally approved, but regulations and approval times can vary greatly — and in some cases stretch out over multiple months or potentially years— depending on project complexity, size and the quality of the water resource.
In Conclusion
Planning a marina involves a meticulous balance of technical analysis, creative design and adherence to established guidelines like the ASCE Manual 50. By following a structured process that includes goal setting, data gathering, site research, alternative design concepts, final design, master planning and permitting, marina owners can ensure their projects meet market demands and regulatory requirements.
Working with experienced marina engineering or design professionals is crucial in this process. Their expertise ensures that the marina is designed to the highest standards, creating a safer and more enjoyable facility. With careful planning, compliance and professional guidance, marinas can achieve creating safe, efficient and attractive facilities that cater to the needs of boaters and stakeholders alike.
Dan Williams, PLA, ASLA, AHLP is senior landscape architect at MSA. He can be reached at dwilliams@msa-ps.com.
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