The new system is set to ensure Guernsey Harbours are "prepared for future development" and to keep it up to date within the ports and marine industry.

Changes will be experienced by both commercial and leisure berth users. Shipping agents will be able to manage their activities using a web-based service rather than paper or e-mail based processes and leisure users will be able to register vessels and view, apply for or change berthing arrangements online.

It will cost around £500,000 over ten years for implementation, licensing and IT support. Guernsey Harbours said it was confident it will provide a better service for customers.

“We hope to improve service delivery for customers by providing an online self-service system, reducing the need for visits to the Harbour offices whilst enabling the allocation of staff to other harbour services," John Mitchell, Capital Works Manager, said.

Above: St Sampsons Harbour, which is also managed by Guernsey Harbours.

After training for staff and stakeholders, the system is expected to go live in June but will initially run alongside the existing system to ensure service is not impacted in the busy summer months. Full implementation is planned for October 2018.

Users will not be required to install any specific software but will require web access using an internet browser. For those not comfortable with online services, facilitated self-service will be available at the Harbour where a customer can be initially “walked through” the process.