Chatham Marina New Pontoons?

[bradtarga34]

Friends of ours have tried to book us into Chatham over Easter, but have been told that they are currently not taking booking as they are having new pontoons built. Anyone heard of this? We've been asked to check again beginning of March to see how things are going to see if they will be completed in time for Easter, otherwise they reckon they will be over booked by about 20 boats for Easter...

 

[boatone]

When we were down there last summer there was some talk of extra pontoons being installed but nothing definite. Why not give them a ring?

 

[oldgit]

Friends of ours have tried to book us into Chatham over Easter, but have been told that they are currently not taking booking as they are having new pontoons built. Anyone heard of this? We've been asked to check again beginning of March to see how things are going to see if they will be completed in time for Easter, otherwise they reckon they will be over booked by about 20 boats for Easter...

If you get stuck RCC will offer a mooring for a day or two to members of other boating clubs.Not quite a posh as MDL but might do at a push ?
Think half the club is nipping off to Ramsgate so should be a bit of space.

 

[bradtarga34]

Thanks, we have called them which is how we got the info. I guess I was just wondering if anyone else had heard and were also affected by this, and of course looking for other options, so thanks for that OG! Might even think about Burnham, will have to work out how much further it is there than heading up the Medway to Chatham...

 

[TTwiggy]

I'm over at Hoo. There's usually a free berth or two going, but access is a bit limited and parts dry out entirely.

 

[bradtarga34]

Not looking forward to the 'new' mandatory speed limits that came in around June last year by PLA though, must have missed that notice to mariners about it being passed and now mandatory and not recommended... To be honest, what a crock, especially past Cherry Gardens, will be a long boring haul until Margaretness, I reckon we have less wash at 35 knots than 12...

 

[oldgit]

Some of us have actual dreams about getting up to the speed limit.

 

[Chris_d]

Not looking forward to the 'new' mandatory speed limits that came in around June last year by PLA though, must have missed that notice to mariners about it being passed and now mandatory and not recommended... To be honest, what a crock, especially past Cherry Gardens, will be a long boring haul until Margaretness, I reckon we have less wash at 35 knots than 12...

Its was bound to happen, speed is frowned upon everywhere these days. I always go down slow with the tide and don't open up until Sea Reach, saves loads of fuel, but coming back from say Ramsgate you are nearly always againest the tide and need the speed to make the lock at St Kats.

 

[boatone]

Not looking forward to the 'new' mandatory speed limits that came in around June last year by PLA though, must have missed that notice to mariners about it being passed and now mandatory and not recommended... To be honest, what a crock, especially past Cherry Gardens, will be a long boring haul until Margaretness, I reckon we have less wash at 35 knots than 12...

Although my boat is semi-displacement, the reality is a displacement speed of 7 knots and not much better than 13 knots with a huge increase in fuel consumption.
AT around 7knots through the water this summers trip down to the Medway was accomplished in just over 8 hours down and 10 hours back(Oldgit got the tide a bit wrong! ). Sure, it was a bit boring further down but I actually got to drive my boat for all those hours rather than sitting in the marina!

 

[oldgit]

"10 hours back(Oldgit got the tide a bit wrong! ). "

Only cos you kept telling me to slow down every time the sounder showed less than 50ft under the keel

Oooooo !

 

[bradtarga34]

Found this link on PLA web site which is very contradictory to new Byelaws, does this mean that recreational vessels can still abide by these guidelines?

http://www.pla.co.uk/pdfs/maritime/NEW_Inner_PRINT_FINAL.pdf

 

[Chris_d]

Found this link on PLA web site which is very contradictory to new Byelaws, does this mean that recreational vessels can still abide by these guidelines?

http://www.pla.co.uk/pdfs/maritime/NEW_Inner_PRINT_FINAL.pdf

That is out of date now it has Olympic stuff on it, the PLA notice will overide it anyway.

 

[ROBMH]

Chatham new pontoons

Friends of ours have tried to book us into Chatham over Easter, but have been told that they are currently not taking booking as they are having new pontoons built. Anyone heard of this? We've been asked to check again beginning of March to see how things are going to see if they will be completed in time for Easter, otherwise they reckon they will be over booked by about 20 boats for Easter...

I am a berth holder in Chatham .I asked about the new pontoons last week and was told by the marina office that they had not heard from the local planning dept yet and did not have a start date.
Perhaps they are being cautious as the marina is pretty full and when the works commence the existing berth holders will need to be moved about to make way for construction.

Rob

 

[oldgit]

Thanks for that and welcome to forum.

 

[bradtarga34]

Thanks for that Rob, appreciate you checking and posting. Sounds quite unlikely they will be ready by Easter if they don't have planning permission as yet...

 

[oldgit]

Can confirm from other sources that to date they have heard nothing from local council.
Might be worth ringing bit closer to Easter,knowing the speed at which council planning works doubi work will have even started.

 

[bradtarga34]

Can confirm from other sources that to date they have heard nothing from local council.
Might be worth ringing bit closer to Easter,knowing the speed at which council planning works doubi work will have even started.

Thanks for finding that out. Will check closer to the time as they suggested, but given the fact they are still waiting on planning permission it seems unlikely that it would be done in time... Looks as though it could be Imperial Wharf for an overnighter as originally planned, then St Kat's, and possibly Limehouse as well just for a change of scenery.