How the Latest in Marina Technology — the IDS Mainstar System — Benefits Maryport Marina

Maryport Developments LTD is in a multi-phase redevelopment project of the Marina with funding coming from a grant provided by the European Regional Development Fund. They have aspirations to add more slips to the existing 171, as well as to develop the existing ship store, marina office, facilities and dry storage area.

Mainstar installed in Maryport Marina

Harbor Manager Pauline Gorley went looking for a cost-effective solution to their existing electrical system. “Our employees were having to physically take meter readings almost every day. And we wanted something that would let our residents have some control of.” Through the Mainstar keypad and display system residents can turn their power on and off with a unique pin number. This gives them security and peace of mind that they are being billed for only the electricity they consume.

Maryport Marina

There is a dramatic contrast between the ruins of the ancient Roman Fort within eyesight of Maryport Marina and the innovative utility monitoring and control system now installed. This area has a two thousand year connection with the sea and this latest investment shows the tradition continues; from the Roman fort to the historic Senhouse Dock — where sailing clippers were built by hand — to the modern Marina facility built into the old stone harbor.

Philip Lee, a liveaboard resident of Maryport Marina loves the new system. “When I go away from the marina I now know that the visitor in my berth won’t be running my electric up.”

Live-aboard resident of Maryport Marina—Philip Lee

Through the unique dual metering capability of Mainstar the visitor and resident use the same meter and socket, but the electronics and software allow unique PIN codes to secure and separate the electrical usage. The ultra-bright LED display shows exactly what the reading is up to the moment. The tenants of the marina are assigned a pin code which is easy to input and switch on or off the power to their slip without affecting any other slips.

Mainstar LED display and keypad

Maryport marina is starting with the single-user Mains.VB6™ application that is a simple utility monitoring control application with a basic customer database and invoicing system. It allows for PIN number generation and entering as well as a meter read history. Basic slip and vessel information is stored along with some administrative functions such as load limits and night light scheduling and control.

Mains1000

Mains.Net™ will be the upgrade path when they move into the new marina office and need a more advanced system allowing multilocations, multi-users with more advanced invoicing and reporting.