A frozen Whitehaven

[mlthomas]

Whitehaven marina on saturday morning. I think SWMBO has just about forgiven me for suggesting a night on the boat

We berth in the other side which is a bit more sheltered and was only starting to freeze over, car registered -6 when we were leaving, better than the -11 when we got there on Friday.

 

[[2574]]

What's Whitehaven like now?

There was the problem in the marina to the north of Whitehaven; can't remember what its called (Workington?). Has there been berthholders moving down to Whitehaven while they sort the problems out? Is there decent car parking and facilities ashore? What are the operators like to deal with? Is it privately owned?

 

[Lady Campanula]

There was the problem in the marina to the north of Whitehaven; can't remember what its called (Workington?)..... What are the operators like to deal with? Is it privately owned?

Maryport, I believe. Apparently, lock gates burst - with catastrophic damage to pontoons and boats. There were startling photos on here some time ago.

There is/was a local club, based in the marina. There were reports of alleged 'shenanigans' which disadvantaged some berth-holders, including the beating-up of a disabled liveaboard a couple of years ago. Something to do with his views on Climate Change, apparently....

 

[nathanlee]

I think SWMBO has just about forgiven me for suggesting a night on the boat

Good job you don't live on a Corribbe then

Preston marina has been frozen solid for about a week now. Getting thicker each night. Kudu is stuck solid.

 

[earlybird]

[QUOTE There were reports of alleged 'shenanigans' which disadvantaged some berth-holders, including the beating-up of a disabled liveaboard a couple of years ago. Something to do with his views on Climate Change, apparently....

[/QUOTE]

Was this the Incident?/news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/3860853.stm
Marina life in Cumbria isn't all fisticuffs however!
AFAIK, Maryport gate is still out of action, so the marina will, in effct, be a tidal basin. I expect it will be months before it's anywhere near back to normal.
Re Whitehaven, management of the marina was transferred from the Harbour Commissioners to a national firm, Marina Projects, a while ago, although the "customer facing" personnel remain much as before. It's basically a good marina, very sheltered, safe, but tidal access, travel hoist, good parking, good loos, next door to railway station and Tesco. Who can want more?
Boatyard services are somewhat limited though.
Re freezing, some small freshwater culverts discharge into the harbour. This floats on top of the seawater and freezes most years, but more so this year.

 

[mlthomas]

There was the problem in the marina to the north of Whitehaven; can't remember what its called (Workington?). Has there been berthholders moving down to Whitehaven while they sort the problems out? Is there decent car parking and facilities ashore? What are the operators like to deal with? Is it privately owned?

I think earlybird has said most of what there is to say except the new management has sharpened up the front facing staff quite a lot. You do get a very good service from them. In fairness, we were in Maryport for three years with our Prestige 32 and had a great service from them too, it could sometimes be a bit 'slack' but we did get a good service. The club house at Maryport had closed before we left in March 09 but I think the MYA meet in one of the local pubs. I think it was 2008 that Maryport had a lot of new pontoons fitted with all berths having access to electricity. The gate failed during 2009 (after we had sold the P32) and dunked a lot of the boats in the mud twice a day. It had not long been repaired before the failure.

Having spent a few months in Whitehaven while the new pontoons in Maryport were being installed (as the marina was effectively closed) we got to know the staff (old management) and noticed the difference with the new management and decided to stay - best move ever.

The marina is very secure (two sets of coded gates to get to the pontoon), secure car parking, good facilities. Whitehaven is a good place too, loads of good places to eat/drink next to the marina too like Vagabond www.qype.co.uk/place/338819-The-Vagabond-Whitehaven or Zest harbourside www.zestwhitehaven.com which are both definitely worth a try.