Do you let your Marina know when you leave?

[RogerRat]

This came up in conversation over the weekend.

Often when Marinas' give a rebate to berth holders if their berth is re-let while they are away, most skippers will inform the marina of their departure and and return.

With the larger groups like Premier and MDL, I believe this is not the case and I hear that most skippers can't be bothered to let them know.

Personally, I feel it's polite to let them know and also there is less chance of your berth being used by a visitor when you return.

But, have you ever arrived at a marina as a visitor to be told that 'there's no room at the inn' when you can plainly see loads of berths completely clear and free. In this case I was told that each marina has an obligation to keep a berth free for the berth holder's return and therefore, won't risk allowing a visiting yacht to use it.

So, in this case I just wanted to raise some awareness. If you berth with a group like MDL as we do, they offer us free nights away with their 'outlook' programme. I would like to be able to use this offer more frequently this year but don't want to be turned away just because someone couldn't be bothered to inform the marina office.

This made good sense to me and as it was pointed out to me by a past Marina owner I would suggest it's not much to ask.

 

[Ripster]

If I am out overnight or more - then yes. Out for less - then no. I am with MDL.

 

[sailorman]

our marina now operate the "Red / Green " Disc system.
if your comming back same day Red Disc
out over night Green Disc
away 4 a longer period Green Disc & phone the day before your Rtn to get the Red Disc showing

 

[Nick_H]

Yes, I always tell the marina, so someone else can use the berth. I hope those that answer "no" to this one, don't also complain there's never any visitor berths available at the places they go. If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem.

 

[[2068]]

Yes, especially when someone shouts "Hey, are you coming back tonight" as you leave /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

dv.

 

[Frontier]

I always tell them. Like you I also want there to be a berth where I go and if we dont tell them we are away the system wont work.

I am pleased to say that Premier have always found me somewhere when they have been busy. I have heard that some marina's turn away the visiting berth holders from their group in favour of paying visitors (as they already have the berth holders annual fee)

When I was a Chichester I didn't have a choice due to the lock. They ask every boat as they go past.

Cheers

D

 

[[2068]]

>heard that some marina's turn away the visiting berth holders from their group in
favour of paying visitors

I'm not sure how that would work, unless they look up your boat name as you come in: I never confess that I'm freeloading until well inside the harbour office.

dv.

 

[strakeryrius]

I let MDL know when we were away for a fortnight last year, and our berth was used by visiting raggies who wrecked a couple of dock fenders. Given that the only recompense was that we were put into a prize draw (we didn't win) I'm not sure that we got fair value. I'd be more incentivised to do it again if they shared say 50% of what they take in visitors fees - after all I have already paid for the berth for the whole year, so its only fair dos that if they let it out again I should get some rebate rather than they get "double bubble".

When we visited other MDL marinas I always rang or emailed ahead and booked a visitor's berth and never had any trouble getting one even in the height of the season. And I was totally up-front that I was going to claim my Club Outlook free berthing. Having problems may only apply if you just "turn up" without a pre-booking. It may then be just a free for all in allocating what berths thay have left.

 

[PhilipF]

I completely agree with the sentiments expressed in this thread. I am also with MDL and would and do let them know if my berth is to be free.

 

[gjgm]

me too, and I hope to find a free berth elsewhere too.
Mind you, they usually ask when you leave the lock, but if I know I ll be away, I always let them know, and I let them know if I ll be back early too.
Seems a bit stupid not to let them know, but seems some people dont want to do so.My berth, I ve paid for it, so no one else can use it, even when I m not there... oh well. Hope there s no space where they are going !

 

[gravygraham]

I don't have to let Ramsgate Marina know when I'm going away - they're mindreaders you see. I pop out for a couple of hours and they let my berth. Simple. Mind you, when I see the prices you sarf coasters are paying per metre/year I'm almost happy to cope with some inconvenience.

 

[hlb]

I used to tell them and they would give me about 10p if it was rented out.

Then I rang them on our way out of Plymouth, but they said I had to go back and fill a form in.

Well I'm not filling a form in, saying two weeks, cos we may have to come back tomorrow.

Never missed getting a berth some place though, mind we dont mind slumming it.

 

[John100156]

Polite to tell them I think, arriving and departing!

But even when you do....

April-08 I left Brighton in rain en route to Torquay - short stop over to refuel in Cowes, then very lumpy over St Albans Ledge and through Lyme Bay.

Feeling tired I arrived in Torquay and approached my berth, yes you guessed it, occupied by another boat! OK, so I pass turn 180 and call the marina who promptly found me another temporary berth but in an adjacent pontoon.

Bit windy but approach was just right and just as I was about three boats away I noticed a very large wooden broom floating beam-on just off my bow. Passed it and berth without incident, turned 180 again, reported it to marina and eventually berthed stern-to all OK. I was tired, wet and not too amused at the time!

I phoned ahead before I left Brighton and also contacted the marina on VHF as I approached, was it worth it? On this occasion NO - but I still think its best to let them know! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[kingfisher]

My port is a co-op, like most ports in the Netherlands. So the more nights they are able to rent out, the lower my annual berthing fee. So I keep them informed.

 

[peterandjeanette]

I think that if you have a bad experience -such as returning to your berth when you said you would- and finding it occupied by a visitor then it puts you off telling the marina that you will be away in future.
This is down to the marina to manage the visitors better. I am quite happy to let them know I'm going to be away for a few days - but I do expect to have my berth available on return, especially as I phone them the day before to confirm my return.
The marina arguement is that you do not have a "dedicated" berth and they can assign you to another at their demand. Possibly - but that does not do much for customer relations.
Both the berth holder and marina should work together on this. Perhaps a berth holders association would emphasise the matter.

 

[[2574]]

If you cruise from say MDL Mercury to MDL Cobbs Quay, when you then present your Outlook card at Cobbs they then know at Mercury that you are away for the night. So if you stay within the Group they know very well that your berth is free tonight.

Rob

 

[mjf]

Yes always.

Home berth is locked so no option there - however when visiting other marinas I always advise that my temp berth is again free as i depart. Think this only fair and reasonable - bit like handing you key in when leaving a hotel even if there is nothing to pay etc.

 

[RogerRat]

That's true of course if they were to check, but at busy times and if your home port guys are busy or short staffed, it just helps to let them know.

It was also pointed out to me that we have an obligation with MDL:

[ QUOTE ]
Visitor night berthing at any MDL marina is subject to local arrangements and departure times. One Club Outlook point is equal to one day (up to 24 hours) of visitor berthing. All Club Outlook visitor berthing is subject to a suitable berth being available. In some cases, during busy periods, you may be required to raft alongside another vessel. The Club Outlook visitor berthing scheme relies on reciprocal berthing. You are therefore required to notify the Marina Office of your intended departure and arrival dates and times.

[/ QUOTE ]

Regardless of contractual obligation, I agree with Peter above, it's better for us to work together with our marinas' on this one if we would hope to get access to berths when during the busier months. But I don't think an association would help at all just create hassle... We have a few busy bodies at Hayling! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[nonitoo]

In Dover, somewhere in the T&Cs, it says they have the right to use your berth if you are not there.

In fact, I tell them if I am going to be away and phone them 24 hours before I return. In each case my berth has been available on my return.

Seems to work pretty well.

Tom

 

[Renegade_Master]

How do they monitor the leccy used by a visitor say on your berth for a week?