Do locks take deposits?

F

funinthesun

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 Apr 2008
Messages
130
Location
South Bucks
Visit site
Had a fantastic bank holiday on the thames despite the wet weather, however was a little miffed when we were turned away from mooring overnight on the back of a lock island. Reason being a club had booked the island for the weekend, we then find out said club cancelled at the last minute. Do the lock keepers take deposits for club bookings, I'd hate the EA to be out of pocket?
 
funinthesun said:
Had a fantastic bank holiday on the thames despite the wet weather, however was a little miffed when we were turned away from mooring overnight on the back of a lock island. Reason being a club had booked the island for the weekend, we then find out said club cancelled at the last minute. Do the lock keepers take deposits for club bookings, I'd hate the EA to be out of pocket?
Click to expand...

This is blimming annoying and is not just confined to lock moorings. We have not infrequently been told at various marinas that due to a "club block booking" there is no room for my boat.
Marinas and ...ahem....certain cruise organisers, both know just how difficult it can be nailing down exactly how many boats will actually leave on any planned cruise.
It will vary between 25% and 125%.
Me, I am all for a small deposit of some sort. Say a fiver per boat.
Chance for some bright spark to set up a nationwide on line berth booking website.
To book your berth and you send the place you want £5.00 as proof of purpose. If you do not go,then say £3.50 gets put back into your account.
All a bit big brother and too technical scary ,fine just accept that you will have no where to moor because 6 months previously,The Thames Sunseeker Club booked Tower Bridge Marina for 20 boats,even though the rear commode knows 10 will not go.
The berths remain empty and therefore no income for the marina,following year marina bean counter demands livaboards and visitor berths diminish.
 
Last edited:
Locks have never been known to take deposits for private or club bookings. Perhaps that policy should be changed.
 
I've been told on more than one occasion number when calling ahead that lock moorings are not available, then later that day when passing through said locks with a view to finding alternative mooring, the lock keeper has kindly offered a berth as the pratts that have booked (without paying anything) have not turned up. Whilst this practice is irritating in marina's, it is quite unacceptable and wholly disrespectful to river users paying an annual fee to the EA? I say no more booking of lock moorings without payment, if this cannot be implemented then locks should adopt a simple 1st come 1st serve system just like the rest of the river. Come on offenders, what do you think?
 
A deposit in advance would involve the lock having card facilitIes, so I can't see that happening. Simpler to refuse an advanced booking from a club or an individual who hadn't turned up in the past.
 
Actionmat said:
A deposit in advance would involve the lock having card facilitIes, so I can't see that happening. Simpler to refuse an advanced booking from a club or an individual who hadn't turned up in the past.
Click to expand...

That's a great idea, a naughty list for offenders. When they pay up they're taken off the list. Surprises me though how few people have commented on this one!
 
Actionmat said:
A deposit in advance would involve the lock having card facilitIes, so I can't see that happening. Simpler to refuse an advanced booking from a club or an individual who hadn't turned up in the past.
Click to expand...

My boaters guide to the south east,lists locks with card facilities. ?
 
New one on me. I've only been able to pay with cash and to the lock keeper only. One volunteer informed me that they weren't allowed to handle money
 
I think they shouldn't accept bookings period, the whole point of the river is to just chill, cruise along and when you see somewhere nice just stop.
 
With my wife being in a wheelchair being able to prebook is a must for us otherwise it's possible she would be boat bound and unable to get off. We just make sure that we don't book until we are 100% sure we can make it. For the relaxed and chilling out we just make sure that we have lots of time to get somewhere.
 
It would be such a nightmare , imagine our layby , 1/4 mile long .... Every boat that turns up on it ....

'Have you booked ? Are you part of X club ? '

No ?

Sorry , you'll have to move ...

Where to ?

I'm not moving !

Etc etc x a million

We'd have to have a little sentry box on the layby.
 
teddington_lock said:
It would be such a nightmare , imagine our layby , 1/4 mile long .... Every boat that turns up on it ....

'Have you booked ? Are you part of X club ? '

No ?

Sorry , you'll have to move ...

Where to ?

I'm not moving !

Etc etc x a million



We'd have to have a little sentry box on the layby.
Click to expand...

So the answer is no more booking. First come first serve. Someone sort this out.
 
liamb said:
With my wife being in a wheelchair being able to prebook is a must for us otherwise it's possible she would be boat bound and unable to get off. We just make sure that we don't book until we are 100% sure we can make it. For the relaxed and chilling out we just make sure that we have lots of time to get somewhere.
Click to expand...

Sympathise with your position, but I would hope a lockie would use his descretion in such a case and accept an unofficial reservation.
 
Don't know about actual deposits but cookham and boveney take reservations for TVBC for their rally's.a chap got asked to leave the end of cookham lock island a couple of years back.he was on a freeman and all set up for a weekends fishing,he was not best pleased.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top