Brighton Marina is completely bloody useless!!

Getting down there in the week during the day isn't that easy but I agree that's probably what its going to take to get it resolved..

Just moving to another berth doesn't force them to explain why they are running such a disorganised circus down there.. Irrespective of the cost if everyone just rolled over like that how would they be made aware that they are pissing people off? If my customer service was that bad I probably wouldn't have any customers..

By your username I assume you are a builder.. So an analogy would be something like you putting in a kitchen for someone then going back a month later and taking the taps out to give to someone else and expecting the original customer to just accept it..

Jimmy the Builder used to moor there so knows it inside out as for what he builds, well that's for him to tell you !
 
Personally I'd be looking to weld up a nice steel strap arrangement that would lock my plug into the socket the office had told me I could use. Doesn't really matter how far away it is (within reason) - just run a cable from the stand to next to your berth, and plug in and out there. Use an unusual connector (maybe one of the large Bulgin Buccanneer ones) so that people can't jack in at that point either.

Ok, you shouldn't have to do this kind of ****, but I've always been one for the unilateral practical solution rather than going round in circles trying to get someone else to do something :)

Pete
 
Personally I'd be looking to weld up a nice steel strap arrangement that would lock my plug into the socket the office had told me I could use. Doesn't really matter how far away it is (within reason) - just run a cable from the stand to next to your berth, and plug in and out there. Use an unusual connector (maybe one of the large Bulgin Buccanneer ones) so that people can't jack in at that point either.

Ok, you shouldn't have to do this kind of ****, but I've always been one for the unilateral practical solution rather than going round in circles trying to get someone else to do something :)

Pete

I like your thinking Pete.. :)

Alternatively have a "live" wire exposed where a person would grab to disconnect it and belt them if they touch it.. Too aggressive maybe?? :)
 
Maybe things have changed since I was there (I left 18 months ago) - but where I was (pontoon 8) the elec turrets were arranged so that every berth had power. They also had a system where you had a pin number for the elec, and if you unplugged from the turret, when you plugged in again you needed to re-enter your pin. This way nobody could just plug into your socket and use elec on your account. The biggest prob I had with shore power was some lowlife pinching my lead (complete with expensive marinco connector). I'd have to say that the marina security were about unhelpful about that incident as they could have been.

But my general experiences with the marina staff were positive in the main. It's a big marina, and they did seem to have a fair bit of staff turnover which is why I found the best way to solve issues was just to go down there and deal face to face.

Cheers
Jimmy
 
Having just moved to a premier marina from a privately owned marina in west sussex I have to say I think premier staff are fantastic I think as jimmy said they have plenty of staff and if you go from one staff member to another each time you may get fobbed off, I know they have recently had a manager change there and one of the assistants managers Dan I've always found to be on the ball. I would suggest if you can't get down ring and either speak to a manager or Dan explain your situation and history and ask that person to deal with it. That way if it is not resolved you can go higher with a name and say you tried.

I'm not used to marina staff being nice and have to be honest it's great.

I'm sure they will sort it for you and look on the bright side they can't give you a bill
 
It is a shame that there is not better consistency, for three months we were in Brighton and could not wait to leave, we are now in another Premier Marina and we find the staff to be nothing short of excellent
 
It costs a lot of money to berth in a marina. Most of us do it and offset the price against ease of access, security and the fact the is a permanent umbilical connection to power as well as nearby water. If you don't have power then you might as well save yourself several thousand pounds a year and use a mid river mooring.

This is not the dark ages, a marina saying there is no guarantee of power on your berth! Please, it doesn't cost the earth to install sufficient electrical outlets, certainly not in the general scheme of things when planning a marina.

I would simply ask for a nearby permanent power supply or move elsewhere with an associated pro-rata refund on any monies paid.

Something is really not right here.

Henry :)
 
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Had an email late this afternoon apologising for the delay again and having checked their usage logs an acknowledgement that I have been plugged in to that socket almost from the beginning, as I described in my original post..

My plan is to try and get out for a couple of hours on Tuesday and go down there to sort it all out.. At least I have a name now and someone I can chase down when I get there..
 
Had an email late this afternoon apologising for the delay again and having checked their usage logs an acknowledgement that I have been plugged in to that socket almost from the beginning, as I described in my original post..

My plan is to try and get out for a couple of hours on Tuesday and go down there to sort it all out.. At least I have a name now and someone I can chase down when I get there..

Fwiw, the two people I found most useful in the office were Oliver and Tessa (just don't get her started on the motogp, you'll never get a word in...). Good luck. Be interested to hear how you get on.

Cheers
Jimmy
 
I've only been in there half a dozen times as a visitor since 2006, but have to say everytime getting the power to work was always hassle. They allocate you a berth and socket and pin, get there someone else plugged in, call office get allocated empty socket, plug in doesn't work, call office "try now", no still doesn't work, try another and new pin........ and so on and so on:rolleyes:
 
I've not read the whole thread but would like to add the following.............

they clearly advertise on their web site that power is available on their pontoons.
they sold you a years contract for a berth on that basis including power.

did I read that some one in their office has quoted their terms which say they do not guarantee power.

Ask them to point out the exact term in their contract and get them to read it.

There is a term that reads something along the lines of they are not responsible for power supply outside their control such as the national grid failing or going on strike .

it isn't supposed to be in case the lazy office cant be bothered to sort it out, your power problem is very clearly in their control and I would be complaining they are breaching an implied term, if upheld you are entitled to ALL your money back not just the unused bit (not that I suggest you try it).

You should copy your email complaints to the MD at Swanick, he is incredibly helpful with an honest and sensible approach .
 
I find that whole situation unbelievable, I'm not sure how cheap a marina needs to be to make the situation acceptable, perhaps Brighton really is that cheap..?

My brothers boat is in Chi marina (so premier), and got to say their arrangement for electrics does seem a PITA, sockets are randomly placed along the pontoons, so not just each side of every finger, then there's the key pad thing and having to pre-purchase your electrics.... all adds irritation... you pay to be in a "top marina", you / or certainly I, expect electrics GUARANTEED!

Sorry but that is rubbish. Each pontoon has a electric socket which is assigned to the berth. It's yours and no one elses. You plug in and type in your personal pin to turn on the power. Stops someone else using your power and saves having to call the office to get power turned on. Works faultlessly. It also sends you a 'free' text message when your power is unplugged. You do prepay for electric but again you get a text message and an email telling you when your balance is getting low. Just have to phone the office to top it up.

First class service at Chichester marina for the 12 years I've been there.
 
Latest update is I got a phone call today out or the blue.. If all goes according to plan I am still heading down there tomorrow to hopefully get it all sorted out.. Apparently the area manager and the marina manager are now both aware of the issue..

Can't help wonder is someone connected with Premier didn't come across this thread which set the actions in motion..

Whatever the case I will be glad to have it sorted and get back to just enjoying the boat..
 
Latest update is I got a phone call today out or the blue.. If all goes according to plan I am still heading down there tomorrow to hopefully get it all sorted out.. Apparently the area manager and the marina manager are now both aware of the issue..

Can't help wonder is someone connected with Premier didn't come across this thread which set the actions in motion..

Whatever the case I will be glad to have it sorted and get back to just enjoying the boat..

Forumite catherineb works for Premier Marinas and makes the occasional 'official' post. Maybe they might post a response on this thread?

Cheers
Jimmy
 
Brings back memories. About three years ago we went to Brighton in our S48. I phoned in advance and they said call up on the VHF when you arrive. So we arrived, and I called....and called....and called! 15 minutes later I got a response - go to Pontoon XXX. Set off for the pontoon - halfway there, got a call - don't go there, go to pontoon YYY. Where is it I asked - opposite the fuel pumps they said. So we turned around and trundled half a mile or so to the rickety old finger. Next door were some live aboards with about four kids, other side some guys rebuilding an old wooden yacht with radio blaring out "Brown sugar" and sanding machines in full flow. No 240v socket, all taken - called up the office - find one they said - I did, it wouldn't work. Called up again - just a minute....try now. Nope....OK try again - hallejulah, we had some power. Went to walk down to the office to get the gate codes etc. and got hissed at by some very aggressive swans nesting on a small platform by the pontoon that didn't want me to pass, and lunged at me!
Got to the office after about a half mile walk - to find it closed. They were all in there and having a staff meeting. Can you come back in a couple of hours they asked - not bloody likely I said, just give me the gate codes.
Arrived back at boat to find the live aboards also had a dog, which "talked" incessently to another dog on the next pontoon. A 05.00, a largish survey boat moored at the end of the pontoon (20 feet away) went out and woke us up, and the dogs started barking again. At least the neighbours kids were some of the sweetest and politest we have ever met.
The next morning, SWMBO said sod this, I want to go back to Swanwick...what's that noise? It's the foghorn said I, we are going nowhere. Eventually at around 15.00 the fog cleared a bit and we legged it in very poor viz.......
Doesn't sound as if it's changed too much there!!
 
We bought our boat from there and one notable thing was the marine growth, it's like a breeding ground for algae with it being an enclosed marina. the legs were hanging with vegetation by the end of the season. Also concur with the state of the pontoons, some had red tape around them as they were deemed unsafe at the time. As for parking space availability for berth holder visitors (and berth holders?), don't go there, literally
 
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