With practical advice from Buoy CEO Shea Unti
Insurance can help protect your business when something goes wrong. But some of the best risk management happens long before you need to use your policy.
On a recent podcast episode of Growth Powered by FareHarbor, host Rebekah Costley spoke with Shea Unti, CEO of Buoy, about insurance and the operational habits that can help prevent problems. Shea has worked as a captain and crew member, operated a 10-boat rental business, worked in the boat rental marketplace industry, and still captains trips on weekends.
His experience gives him a practical perspective on managing risk. Here are three lessons tour operators can apply to their own businesses.
1. Slow down before small mistakes become big ones
When you’re managing a busy operation, it’s easy to prioritize speed. But Shea says slowing down can prevent accidents and other problems.
Give staff enough time to inspect equipment between customers. A few extra minutes can give your team time to spot a damaged kayak, address a guest concern, or catch something that otherwise might be missed.
The goal isn’t to slow down your entire operation. It’s to make sure the safety-critical parts of the experience have enough time and attention.
2. Build systems your staff can follow every time
A process only works when your team knows exactly how to complete it.
Shea points to situations where an operator believes an insurance step is complete, but a final action is still missing. The same principle applies to waivers, equipment checks, safety briefings, and other parts of your operation.
Create a clear sequence for these tasks and make sure your staff knows what “done” looks like. When a process depends on someone remembering an extra step during a busy check-in, it’s easier for something to fall through the cracks.
3. Pay closer attention to last-minute bookings
Same-day bookings create a different set of variables. Shea says earlier bookings tend to correlate with lower risk, while last-minute reservations can introduce more urgency and uncertainty.
That doesn’t mean you should turn away a same-day customer. It means you may need to slow the process down and give your team an extra checkpoint.
Is the customer prepared for the activity? Did they receive the full safety briefing? Is the equipment appropriate and ready? If something doesn’t seem right, give your staff permission to pause and address it before the experience begins.
How Buoy fits into your insurance stack
Buoy provides renter-specific insurance for marine businesses, giving customers the option to purchase an additional layer of coverage alongside an existing policy.
For FareHarbor operators, the experience happens after a customer completes their reservation. The customer can review Buoy coverage and decide whether to purchase it. Buoy handles the payment, so it doesn’t add another step for your staff to manage.
It’s another tool in the risk management toolbox, but it doesn’t replace the basics. Good processes, thorough equipment checks, and giving your team enough time to do things properly still matter.
Listen to the episode
Hear the full conversation with Buoy CEO Shea Unti on Growth Powered by FareHarbor for more on risk management, insurance basics, and what he’s learned from working as both an operator and a captain.
Boat operators interested in learning more about Buoy can contact their FareHarbor representative or visit Buoy.