Grounding in Marina

[savageseadog]

We have been grounding in the marina (marina has a maintinted depth via lock gates). Keel is 2.5m fin and bulb.

Marina staff absolutely refuting that it is happening saying they have dredged the area and it's deep enough for us...

To cut a log story short today we have to put all crew weight to one side and take a run (6knots plus) the boat ploughed her way through the thick mud bottom, slowing quite suddenly 2/3 knots - the alternative is togo slow and get stuck requiring evryone to hike out full power on the engine!

Aside from the finish and fairing being wrecked on the bulb i assume it puts a great deal of force on the keel floor. I know it's not like hitting a rock but the staff at the marina refuse to accept it happening despite both verbals and emails.

Do I use the replys to emails "you have plenty of water the area has been well dredged" and call the insurance tomorow asking for a bottom inspection as a result of grounding and let them reclaim costs from them for refinishing the keel bulb or what??

 

[Puggy]

Definately, but how about Inviting the marina manager for a motor around in your boat and watch the depth sounder togther? Assuming it is reasonably calibrated and you know the state of the tide, it should reveal any anomalies? I would have thought you need to show him evidence of the issue prior to contacting the insurance company.

 

[nathanlee]

Obviously this is a carp situation for you, and if it were me, I'd be a bit miffed too, but what would you have them do if they admit you are correct? Re-dredge the marina? That would be awfully costly for the sake of keeping one customer happy. I think, if I were a skint marina, I might just be inclined to let you leave.

 

[D.Freshwater]

I would second the point about getting the Marina Manager on board- he/she can't easily argue with a depth sounder reading and the physical sensation of ploughing into the mud!

 

[pcatterall]

What is the maintained depth suposed to be? Are you loaded to your 2.5m waterline?
Can you hand sound the area concerned?
There may not be any visual signs of damage so the lift out may be at your expense.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

Wait till there's a busy day at the Marina. Inflate tender.
Move boat to the spot where it "can't possibly go aground because it's been dredged."
Gently put boat firmly aground.
Row to the pontoon in your tender and stroll up to the Marina office.

Discuss the situation with Marina staff.




PS Surely it's unlikely that there is much/any damage being done if it's just mud?

 

[nathanlee]

Wait till there's a busy day at the Marina. Inflate tender.
Move boat to the spot where it "can't possibly go aground because it's been dredged."
Gently put boat firmly aground.
Row to the pontoon in your tender and stroll up to the Marina office.

Discuss the situation with Marina staff.

That might make a skint (relative term from the view of share holders) marina re-dredge for the sake of one customer.

Ruthless, you lot.

 

[SailorBill]

What an appalling attitude from the marina staff. Which marina is this?

 

[TSB240]

What an appalling attitude from the marina staff. Which marina is this?

Not Victoria Dock by any chance?

 

[l'escargot]

What makes you think a claim against the marina would be successful? It sounds like you know where the shallow water is and are choosing to "plough" on regardless. Any damage to your boat is as a consequence of your actions and could be avoided.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Is it possible to go aground in such a position that you block all or a significant proportion of other traffic. If so, do it at about 1000 on a Saturday or 1500 on a Sunday. The management will soon do something.

 

[Sandy]

Wait till there's a busy day at the Marina. Inflate tender.
Move boat to the spot where it "can't possibly go aground because it's been dredged."
Gently put boat firmly aground.
Row to the pontoon in your tender and stroll up to the Marina office.

Discuss the situation with Marina staff.

A much better idea than mine - get a big stick; for measuring the depth not hitting the staff!

 

[prv]

Is it possible to go aground in such a position that you block all or a significant proportion of other traffic.

Seems unlikely. Mud generally piles up round the edges of harbours (river mouth bars excepted), not in the heavily-trafficked fairways.

Pete

 

[Twister_Ken]

Seems unlikely. Mud generally piles up round the edges of harbours (river mouth bars excepted), not in the heavily-trafficked fairways.

Pete

Oh, I dunno, I once managed to block at least half of aisle at Salterns, Poole for the best part of an hour. Bank holiday weekend too. Marina staff had assured me there was plenty of depth.

 

[bendyone]

Calais dredged their marina last year, everyone had to either lift out or move to another port. Took about 4 weeks of work, depth increased by around 2m under my keel. Marina paid for the lift out or alternative mooring costs so a major expense for them.

 

[lenseman]

What an appalling attitude from the marina staff. Which marina is this?

Savageseadog has had trouble before in Pwllheli. Perhaps its a winter blues thing as it seems to happen in January:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=261253

 

[SailorBill]

Savageseadog has had trouble before in Pwllheli. Perhaps its a winter blues thing as it seems to happen in January:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=261253

Thank you. I think I recall reading that thread (I've lurked here on and off for a while) but the grey cells weren't connecting

 

[savageseadog]

Seems unlikely. Mud generally piles up round the edges of harbours (river mouth bars excepted), not in the heavily-trafficked fairways.

Pete

Not in this instance. I'm talking about the marina side of the "fairway" into the lock and it's not Pwllheli....obviously!

Fact is that without a full crew heeling the boat we'd be stuck fast.

 

[Skylark]

What are you trying to achieve?

Do you simply want a deeper berth or do you fear that you've damaged the keel or weakened the keel fixings? Hence you want a haul-out and survey?

I'd talk nicely with the marina staff if it's the former and have a quick telephone chat with a surveyor if you think it's the latter.

If you want to prove beyond reasonable doubt, drop a weighted tape measure over the side. Alternatively, ask a friendly local diver to go and take a look. For enough beer tokens, I could perhaps be pursuaded......

 

[SailorBill]

Not in this instance. I'm talking about the marina side of the "fairway" into the lock and it's not Pwllheli....obviously!

Fact is that without a full crew heeling the boat we'd be stuck fast.

Why are you being so coy about the marina?