Overview
ISO 13687-1:2017 - Tourism and related services - Yacht harbours - Part 1 - defines the minimum requirements for basic service level harbours for leisure craft. It establishes baseline criteria for commercial and non‑commercial yacht harbours (marinas and clubs) to deliver safe, environmentally responsible and consistent services to the recreational boating community. The standard excludes specifics such as boat yards, dry stacks, fuel stations and nearby beaches, and does not address extreme weather above Beaufort 9 or rogue waves.
Key Topics and Requirements
ISO 13687-1:2017 sets out practical, non‑prescriptive requirements across core areas:
- General requirements
- Legal compliance procedures, harbour office with displayed hours, staff competence and multilingual capability, administration and insurance (third‑party liability).
- Environmental requirements
- Organized waste control system, oil/fuel spill containment, provisions for black water and bilge water discharge (facilities within 3 000 m if not on site), and an environmental code of conduct posted at the information point.
- Safety requirements
- Readily accessible first‑aid kit, firefighting and lifesaving equipment, adequate illumination and an emergency action plan.
- Signage
- Clear general and graphical signage and a visible information point for harbour users.
- Services
- Minimum service provision for fresh water, toilets, showers, electricity, and passenger information on activities/attractions.
- Maintenance and cleaning
- Documented maintenance programmes, cleaning schedules, and periodic tests/inspections.
- Supporting material
- Annexes provide administrative best practice (A), potable/fresh water guidance (B) and activities/attractions (C).
Practical Applications - Who Uses It
ISO 13687-1 is intended for stakeholders involved in the planning, operation and oversight of yacht harbours:
- Marina and yacht harbour operators seeking a consistent baseline for service delivery.
- Port authorities and local governments integrating tourism and coastal infrastructure.
- Designers and consultants specifying basic harbour facilities and signage.
- Environmental managers and safety officers implementing waste, spill and emergency procedures.
- Auditors, insurers and tourism promoters assessing compliance and service level claims.
Adopting ISO 13687-1 helps harmonize user expectations, improve safety and environmental protection, and support nautical tourism marketing.
Related Standards
- ISO 13687-2 (intermediate service level) and ISO 13687-3 (high service level) - for higher service tiers.
- MARPOL guidance referenced for waste control and pollution prevention.
- Developed by ISO/TC 228 (Tourism and related services).
Keywords: ISO 13687-1:2017, yacht harbours, marina standards, minimum requirements, environmental requirements, safety requirements, harbour operator.