Distressed!

[Gordonmc]

Is there a protocol or even accepted procedure for ports/harbours/marinas to charge vessels in distress for berthage?
I was in passage under sail but had to put the donkey on to get round a headland. The motor began to sound rough, so I switched off immediately and hove to. I found the drip tray full of engine oil... which had also got into the bilges.
I was about an hour away from a marina. Called them on VHF and explained the position, asking for a berth I could sail into for repairs.
I got alongside without too much drama, but not the berth I had been given, which would have involved a sail against the wind between two lines of expensive sterns.
Anyhow, on reporting to the marina office I was immediately presented with an £18 bill for an overnight stay.
Frankly, I was too worried about the mess I would have to deal with to argue, so paid up. I left as soon as possible next morning after fixing an oil seal and hand-pumping all the goo out of the bilges (disposing of same in the proper tank).
This was not a life threatening situation... but am I being naive in thinking the marina was being stingey for charging in these circumstances?
Thoughts appreciated.

 

[ParaHandy]

It would (partly) restore my faith in human nature if you could report that they'd said something along the lines of "we'll be there to pick up your lines" or "our boat will guide you in" etc? Yes, No....ah well.....

 

[tcm]

I have heard that you should be allowed in for "refuge", altho not necessarily that it need be free of charge. Pity they didn't help even in the slightest bit.

I note that there's a very prevalent yet highly mistaken attitude amongst marina staff: the larger the boat the more help is needed and must be offered. Turn up in anything over twenty metres and they'll be there at the quayside even tho you're likely to have more crew and push-button everything. Under forty feet, although more difficult to handle with relatively high windage (and in your case no engine) and they behave as though it's a dinghy...

 

[jimi]

Had a problem last year with my engine when entering Weymouth. Managed to sail onto the waiting pontoon and the marina came out and towed me in without charge. In the circumstances I had no reservations about paying for the berth!

Jim

 

[Trevethan]

Ah well, they see a nice big shiny boat, a Leopard for example, and think "He must be loaded. Good chance of a decent tip", whereas others in ageing smaller boats don't look like such a rich target.

That and Leopards these days seem to come equipped with attractive hostess types wearing half a bikini, whereas smaller boats, especially raggies generally come equipped with grumpy and sometimes smelly old me

 

[extravert]

I don't think it was unreasonable for them to charge, you were taking up a berth after all. I would not expect them to charge a lifeboat though if one had to use a berth. Some offer of assistance would have been helpful though.

Last summer my engine failed off Eastbourne but we managed to get to the marina entrance ourselves. As the entrance to the marina is through a large lock sailing on to a berth wasn't really on, but they towed us from the lock to the berth, and didn't charge. I didn't for a moment expect a free berth, and also expected to have to pay for the tow as well. Congratulations for the service to Sovereign marina.

 

[billmacfarlane]

Er , I'm afraid I'm going to have to argue the point here that were you actually in distress ? You had a rough engine but if the sailing conditions were fair and you obviously could manoeuver the boat under sail without any problem , why were you in distress ? If your mast fell down and you had no other means of propulsion then fair enough but you didn't have any problem sailing so IMHO you were a vessel with restricted mobility and yes I think the marina had a right to charge for a berth. In the case of being towed in by a lifeboat , then whether the marina charges or not is debatable. In a case like that I think the marina should charge but donate the money to the RNLI - but I reckon I'll see an elephant fly before that happens.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Use the VHF

Whenever I've thought it might be sensible to have some one to take my lines I've asked the marina on VHF and they've sent a lad along, no bother. And you could fit my boat into Leopard many times over, and still have room for plently of bikini clad hostesses.

 

[LadyInBed]

I agree with Bill, on it's own, a failed engine in a sailing boat is not a distress situation.
If my car broke down and I put it in a pay and display carpark I would expect to pay for the stay, so I would expect to pay in your situation.
I do think the marina was a bit shabby not assisting your arrival, did you ask for assistance on arrival?