Fuel on the Solent without a VHF?

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thecommander

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Hello there. We currently don't have a VHF licence (bad I know) and I see alot fuelling pontoons/marinas fuel stations require you to radio in before arriving. I guess because they can get very busy and would be disastrous otherwise - esp in Cowes!

Is there anywhere on the Solent where you can just turn up and fuel up without the need of a VHF advance call?

Thanks
 
Hi, you're right Cowes may be a problem on busy days but only because the channel is narrow. Still, if you stand off and make it obvious that you need fuel at any of the fuel pontoons, you'll be able to take your turn at all of them.

I don't think I 've ever needed to use vhf for fuel unless I was checking that they were still open.

RR
 
johnwest said:
Have always used the fuel barge south of the chain ferry on the western side. Prices there are reasonable, and the staff always helpful.

j
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Yep - pretty good prices and its easy to see if they have space on the dock before you make an approach - it's very near the old shipyard crane that dominates the skyline near the chain ferry. With the marinas just come alongside and then phone them on the mobile, you just might have to wait a while for them to send someone down. Premier are installing self service pumps where you just insert the card like a normal garage and it dispenses with default 60:40 pricing. I always set my fenders at a few different heights when I come to one of these places for the first times, the pontoon edges seem to be at strange heights sometimes.
 
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Has anyone used the new pumps at Swanwick? There always seems to be a boat or two on the berth for a long period of time, are the pumps slow?

The other day I watched a boat rock up, mess about for a short period of time with the pump and then walk off for what seems ages, I guess they either had problems with the pump or they walked off to the boathouse.
 
P4Paul said:
Has anyone used the new pumps at Swanwick? There always seems to be a boat or two on the berth for a long period of time, are the pumps slow?

The other day I watched a boat rock up, mess about for a short period of time with the pump and then walk off for what seems ages, I guess they either had problems with the pump or they walked off to the boathouse.
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They have had some issues, the chip and pin machines were struggling with the need to offer a visitors price and a bertholders price.
Premier customers get a red key fob that sets the machine to the residents rate and you then put your credit card in like a normal garage. I think it is all working now.
 
stuartwineberg said:
They have had some issues, the chip and pin machines were struggling with the need to offer a visitors price and a bertholders price.
Premier customers get a red key fob that sets the machine to the residents rate and you then put your credit card in like a normal garage. I think it is all working now.
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Red key fob? Don't know anything about a red key fob. When did they appear?
 
P4Paul said:
Red key fob? Don't know anything about a red key fob. When did they appear?
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If you are resident at Swanwick just wander over to the office and pick one up. Just make sure you use it on the pump before putting your credit card in otherwise it charges visitor rate. To be honest haven't done it myself yet, had to be given the idiot's tour by the pump operator
 
stuartwineberg said:
If you are resident at Swanwick just wander over to the office and pick one up. Just make sure you use it on the pump before putting your credit card in otherwise it charges visitor rate. To be honest haven't done it myself yet, had to be given the idiot's tour by the pump operator
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I haven't seen a text or email or had a conversation about the need to collect a fob. Surprised because Mark and Martin normally keep us up to date with whats happening.
 
P4Paul said:
I haven't seen a text or email or had a conversation about the need to collect a fob. Surprised because Mark and Martin normally keep us up to date with whats happening.
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Yep, I didn't get any notification, it was the pump operator who told us to go and pick up a fob. BTW we are on E10, where are you?
 
You need to pick one up from the office Paul. We haven't been given one either yet so every time we need to fuel up, one of the guys has to come down and set it to berth holder rate with their own fob. That'll be the reason for some of the delays.
L
:)
 
lisilou said:
You need to pick one up from the office Paul. We haven't been given one either yet so every time we need to fuel up, one of the guys has to come down and set it to berth holder rate with their own fob. That'll be the reason for some of the delays.
L
:)
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No point just yet, still need to get a lift and scrub as I expect we are decorated with some extra long green bunting below the waterline :)
 
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