Dissapointment in Brightlingsea

[michael_w]

After a splendid sail on Saturday, SWMBO and I all set for a slap up super at the Kovalam. According to the harbour master's web site the water taxi is running so the tender is left on the mooring.

On our arrival, we're told by the harbour master the new water taxi man won't work later than 19:30. He's whinging that it isn't worth his while. No curry supper for us. Even the harbour master was peeved by this attitude.

 

[Athene V30]

Sorry to hear that. Easter weekend when I used the taxi the hours on his timetable were to 2200 or later.

 

[Pye_End]

In the good old days , if Kevin (?name - always reminded me of Shane Warne) had 'stopped', you could always drag him out the bar and he would take you across. He always made sure that you could get back, even at the tail ends of the season.

 

[Toutvabien]

I think that the problem is that there has not been sufficent traffic in recent weekends to merit keeping the launch running late into the evening. Speaking to Ray he only took a fiver on Friday evening which is not a wonderful hourly rate for anybody. We were on board in Brightlingsea all weekend and it certainly seems as if many people have not launched their boats yet, the pontoons are half empty and the number of visitors this weekend was small. I know that Ray is keen to make a go of the business, and he is a really friendly and helpful bloke who is trying to get his head around what the job involves.

I am sure that business will pick up for him as more boats launch, but this is his first season so please give him a break.

 

[Athene V30]

Who is running it now? I thought it was Kevin again? He was running the boat on Easter Saturday when I was about.

Maybe Ray and Kevin are doing it together. Always thought it was a long day for 1 chap when Jon was there.

 

[Cantata]

[ QUOTE ]
Who is running it now? I thought it was Kevin again? He was running the boat on Easter Saturday when I was about. Maybe Ray and Kevin are doing it together. Always thought it was a long day for 1 chap when Jon was there.

[/ QUOTE ]
See HERE.

 

[Pye_End]

I thought Kevin ran off to the WIndies, or was that just for winter work?

 

[Athene V30]

He came back last year

 

[neale]

I wouldn't miss a curry at Brightlingsea just cos the water taxi isn't running. Get your tender in the water!!!!!

 

[Toutvabien]

Kevin was filling in for Ray at Easter. Just a guest appearence, not a long term gig.

 

[phatcat1]

I think I would have taken a swim to get across rather than miss a Kovalam curry!

Or borrow someone eles tender! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Marmalade]

We had to hang around the weekend before as he'd gone off somewhere and wasn't back for 45mins.

He / they need to realise that only by being totally and utterly reliable can they make money. If you're in any doubt that the service will run you'll bring your tender and save the £4

Now's the time to make sure people know it's business as usual - even if that means the odd sparse evening.

 

[michael_w]

OK, there weren't many visitors last Saturday, but maybe his pricing structure is at fault.

I think he'd get more takers if he charged per yacht rather than per head. Say, £5 return per boat. Families with hordes of nippers would be more inclined to use the water taxi rather than their own tender. Couples would pay marginally more, plus it makes change giving easier.

If he wants the business to thrive, he must be reliable and take the quiet evenings on the chin. Otherwise visitors and residents will vote with their tenders and any worthwhile work will dwindle. Not a state I wish to see.

 

[sailorman]

would it be better for the "Town" to subsidise the venture as the boats bring trade to the town.
in Holland Town / Village mooringa are cheaper as boats = trade cash into the town

 

[Toutvabien]

If kids are travelling with parents Ray does not usually charge, I think that this was the case with Kevin and John too.

 

[neale]

That is exactly the problem. Last time I was there, there was some doubt about whether I would be able to get back to the boat after my curry. As soon as there was some doubt the dinghy was out and the taxi was history.

It must be reliable and work to published times. It doesn't even matter what times he chooses to work as long as the visitors know for sure if there will be a taxi running when they need it.

 

[CPD]

This chap does have a hard job, and people like me probably haven't helped when turning up at Bsea when my first thought is self-sufficiency, and out pops the dinghy. Mr.Sailorman does make an interesting point re subsidies, and if I were the ferryman I would be surveying my passengers to see where they have actually gone, and then approaching said destination with flat cap inverted.

I like Brightlingsea, and I like the idea of a ferry but I think it can only work out with perhaps more effort from everyone, and perhaps a bit of lateral thinking.

 

[stevebrassett]

[ QUOTE ]
OK, there weren't many visitors last Saturday, but maybe his pricing structure is at fault.

I think he'd get more takers if he charged per yacht rather than per head. Say, £5 return per boat.

[/ QUOTE ]If he charged £5 a boat I would never use him. Most times I go to Brightlingsea I am on my own.

 

[Marmalade]

Kids do go free - the £4 is 2 adults x 2 journeys (there and back)

 

[Timberwolf]

Does anyone know what Jon (ex ferry service) is up to?
Last I heard he was doing up his smack but that was years ago.