rickym
Member
If SPP want some pointers I could be available. For a fee!
Guernsey Marina confusion
- Thread starter Yacht Breeze
- Start date
Koeketiene
Well-known member
sailorman
Well-known member
Robin
Well-known member
It is very easy to go directly to St Helier from Cherbourg because the tides really assist. If you leave Cherbourg at local HW and stay inshore along to Cap De La Hague you will be in slack or favourable tide in a back eddy that will get you to the top of Alderney Race at slack water turning south. You then have loads of time, with the tide, to reach the SW corner of Jersey and take the turning tide there along the bottom to St Helier. We did this many times to avoid a double stopover in St Peter Port, we even did it directly from Poole. The return trip is not so convenient because of the tides, but when in 'avoid St Peter Port' mode we would use one of the anchorages off Sark, like Dixcart, Derrible or Havre Gosselin to time the next leg up to Cherbourg or to go directly to Poole. Sark is well worth a visit regardless and anchoring is of course free and the saving on a night in SPP will buy a nice meal in Cherbourg.
Likewise coming up northbound from Brittany, as for example from Trebeurden, Perros Guirec or Treguier you can sit out a tide for free in Havelet Bay (or one of the other small bays) even off Sark and maybe make Alderney. Going towards Brittany you can go from Alderney as a stopover or our preference go farther west along the South Coast and cross with a better wind slant from Dartmouth.
Sadly I predicted the likely HM response in an earlier thread and he has not disappointed. Still when they are next looking for another HM, Guapa might be a good choice as they have similar philosophies
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Koeketiene
Well-known member
Sadly I predicted the likely HM response in an earlier thread and he has not disappointed. Still when they are next looking for another HM, Guapa might be a good choice as they have similar philosophies
Just because I feel there's no need for shops to be open all day/every day does not mean I would condone any of the following:
1. Morning wake-up call every day - even when paid slip is displayed.
2. Inappropriate rafting of dissimilar boats (be it size or type).
3. Speeding/excessive wake - especially in an area where boats are already rafted up.
Robin
Well-known member
Shop opening is a side issue to the very real complaints on here of inappropriate rafting etc. However shops being closed up at a peak time was certainly good reason for us to schedule avoidance at those times, either by hurrying on by to or delaying to remain where meals are cheaper and the shops still open. Any day spent by choice somewhere else is lost income for St Peter Port, but as we can see, quite frankly my dear they don't give a damn.
Oh and how does the HM comment about never reserving berths for rallies fit with two complete outside pontoons totally kept free for the Swan Regatta or the Sigma Championships or... I must have been dreaming.
Colvic Watson
Well-known member
We were planning our first visit there this year and hoped the many posts describing the problems would have improved things, but it seems there is nothing to improve! SPP should see this thread as a goldmine of useful customer feedback, a great opportunity to understand how they can make things better. Instead it looks like they are defensively trying to disagree with their customers.
I'm not surprised that no one has written complaints, I have only ever written one in my life but there are companies I have subsequently avoided rather than bother writing to them.
It does sound like the marina can cope with a drop in visitor levels (we are the biggest you know!) but I suspect the small shops and restaurants of Guernsey feel differently.
I'm not surprised that no one has written complaints, I have only ever written one in my life but there are companies I have subsequently avoided rather than bother writing to them.
It does sound like the marina can cope with a drop in visitor levels (we are the biggest you know!) but I suspect the small shops and restaurants of Guernsey feel differently.
fireball
New member
2010 we were there last (in our boat) and had no personal issue with either of these. We were allowed inside and initially had to raft - then during our stay we were requested to move alongside and other vessels were rafted against us.
I have to say that I don't recall being asked about fees - we displayed our ticket clearly as requested.
Watching the antics during "change-over" was part of the attraction - but we didn't see anything worth complaining about to the HM.
That said - it was 2010 we were there last ... and I'm now in two minds as to whether to try to get there this year ... given the response by the HM above it's tempting not to bother - but we like the island as a whole ...
snooks
Active member
I like St Peter Port, and I was hoping from more from the HM (or whoever replied) to be honest.
Summut like an apology might have been a good start, and not just the one for turning up to the party late. There are obviously people who have had a bad experience or two, so saying sorry to them seems to be the least Guensey Harbours could do.
They could have continued to say they'll start their rounds 30 mins later, at 9am local time, the time the rest of the island work to, not CET...They will consider, where practical, to start off with our continental friends first as they obviously don't mind being disturbed at 9:30 their time. Then they could have moved on and say the staff won't disturb you if your payment chit is clearly displayed. HM will be getting some new ones printed that are clearer for their staff to see, as there is obviously a problem with the present system.
They will be explaining to their staff that big boats against ickle boats is a bad idea, and reminding their staff that they should watch their wash...they will also be looking into contracting out a ferry boat service for the boats on the pontoons.
But no, there are no problems, the harbour is busy, yes, but perfect as it is. Don't believe what you read on here, it's not true, all rumours, never ever had a complaint...in the last two years anyway.
If the Guernsey Harbours do come back from the long river in Egypt, I might pop across and see them again.
Summut like an apology might have been a good start, and not just the one for turning up to the party late. There are obviously people who have had a bad experience or two, so saying sorry to them seems to be the least Guensey Harbours could do.
They could have continued to say they'll start their rounds 30 mins later, at 9am local time, the time the rest of the island work to, not CET...They will consider, where practical, to start off with our continental friends first as they obviously don't mind being disturbed at 9:30 their time. Then they could have moved on and say the staff won't disturb you if your payment chit is clearly displayed. HM will be getting some new ones printed that are clearer for their staff to see, as there is obviously a problem with the present system.
They will be explaining to their staff that big boats against ickle boats is a bad idea, and reminding their staff that they should watch their wash...they will also be looking into contracting out a ferry boat service for the boats on the pontoons.
But no, there are no problems, the harbour is busy, yes, but perfect as it is. Don't believe what you read on here, it's not true, all rumours, never ever had a complaint...in the last two years anyway.
If the Guernsey Harbours do come back from the long river in Egypt, I might pop across and see them again.
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Yacht Breeze
New member
Downhill since 2010
Fireball,
We too love Guernsey and in the past have enjoyed visits.
The problems seem to stem from the point when a number of experienced staff retired leaving a skills and knowledge gap.
The present management refuses to accept there's anything wrong despite the vast number of examples on here to the contrary. If they are in denial there's not much we can do except avoid the place until things change.
Sad really but there's none such blind as those who won't see.
Fireball,
We too love Guernsey and in the past have enjoyed visits.
The problems seem to stem from the point when a number of experienced staff retired leaving a skills and knowledge gap.
The present management refuses to accept there's anything wrong despite the vast number of examples on here to the contrary. If they are in denial there's not much we can do except avoid the place until things change.
Sad really but there's none such blind as those who won't see.
Koeketiene
Well-known member
Quite often, when attacked the first reaction of a corporation or officialdom is to batten down the hatches. HM response on here should be seen as such.
If anything, the denial that spaces are reserved for rallies lends more credence to the claim by earlier posters that this is indeed done.
To quote Sir Humphrey Appleby: Never believe anything until it's been officially denied.
Tidewaiter2
New member
Verbum Sapentium?
Absolutely, the Northshore Regatta has been there twice in recent years, and one whole pontoon (both sides) inside was always 'open' when we came back in from racing. Strange that
Something of a contrast to our visits as one yacht, as prev posted on this thread.
Still, Dielette has the best moules frites, Granville a very nice little leather shop, and fishermans co-op, Portbail and Treguier both have brill markets, and must get into Carteret and Concale, and visit Mont St Michel sometime.
The SPP low tax booze is not that cheap, compared to UK supermarkets and the 'white van' fermiers cidre and calvi, and cheapish diesel is no huge lure for a sailing yacht, even one with a 250l tank like ours.
The resturants along the harbour West wall were doing deals last year mid week, and our friends said everything except banking was hard going last year, before the European recession started to bite.
For my sins, I was a full time Customer Service/Complaints Manager towards the end of my working life, and I think SPP need to sharpen their act up.
It takes years to build up a good rep, and everyone needs to constantly work at keeping it shiny all the time-
'never forget you are the public face/voice of the job' and
'smile before you pick up that phone, they don't care you've just had a rough 15hr shift!'.
We said that cos you can lose a hard won rep and a lot of money because just one someone was treated badly just once by word of mouth and phone.
The Internet will lose that rep for you in hours.
Our eldest is in Web marketing and also runs his own Web Coy, with Dad helping, and the power of the Web to disseminate 'bad news' at the speed of light is incredible- the Rocna thread could tell SPP what not to do?
Absolutely, the Northshore Regatta has been there twice in recent years, and one whole pontoon (both sides) inside was always 'open' when we came back in from racing. Strange that
Something of a contrast to our visits as one yacht, as prev posted on this thread.
Still, Dielette has the best moules frites, Granville a very nice little leather shop
, and fishermans co-op, Portbail and Treguier both have brill markets, and must get into Carteret and Concale, and visit Mont St Michel sometime.The SPP low tax booze is not that cheap, compared to UK supermarkets and the 'white van' fermiers cidre and calvi, and cheapish diesel is no huge lure for a sailing yacht, even one with a 250l tank like ours.
The resturants along the harbour West wall were doing deals last year mid week, and our friends said everything except banking was hard going last year, before the European recession started to bite.
For my sins, I was a full time Customer Service/Complaints Manager towards the end of my working life, and I think SPP need to sharpen their act up.
It takes years to build up a good rep, and everyone needs to constantly work at keeping it shiny all the time-
'never forget you are the public face/voice of the job' and
'smile before you pick up that phone, they don't care you've just had a rough 15hr shift!'.
We said that cos you can lose a hard won rep and a lot of money because just one someone was treated badly just once by word of mouth and phone.
The Internet will lose that rep for you in hours.
Our eldest is in Web marketing and also runs his own Web Coy, with Dad helping, and the power of the Web to disseminate 'bad news' at the speed of light is incredible- the Rocna thread could tell SPP what not to do?
Koeketiene
Well-known member
Or even more recently - Hot Liquid.
No doubt, in a couple of days - if it takes that long - they'll claim to have been unfairly treated in 'the media'.
Bad news/negative reviews travel fast on the internet.
A couple of years ago, we spent a night at Haslar. Had to pay extra for electricity (in the region of £3 ATT). This on top of the already 'not cheap' visitor rate.
Communicated my 'displeasure' on here. Next morning when I went into the Marina office they were already aware I had complained.
snooks
Active member
fireball
New member
If you want to balance that one out - last winter we stayed in Gosport marina overnight - having come from Chi Marina ... (a temporary berth holder) - any discount - nope - full rate - ~£35 !!
Next time we'll stay in Haslar as at least their rates are lower during the quieter months!
Yacht Breeze
New member
Bad news travels very fast
More than 11,600 people have read this thread and the number increases every hour. Many more heard the BBC Radio Guernsey broadcasts and saw the item on BBC Channel Islands TV.
That ought to concentrate a few Guernsey minds....but it probably won't.
Come on chaps, you know you have a problem, we know you have a problem. Let's work together to sort it out. That's in everyone's interest. Denying what we all know to be true just makes things worse.
More than 11,600 people have read this thread and the number increases every hour. Many more heard the BBC Radio Guernsey broadcasts and saw the item on BBC Channel Islands TV.
That ought to concentrate a few Guernsey minds....but it probably won't.
Come on chaps, you know you have a problem, we know you have a problem. Let's work together to sort it out. That's in everyone's interest. Denying what we all know to be true just makes things worse.
sailorman
Well-known member
Absolutely, the Northshore Regatta has been there twice in recent years, and one whole pontoon (both sides) inside was always 'open' when we came back in from racing. Strange that
Something of a contrast to our visits as one yacht, as prev posted on this thread.
Still, Dielette has the best moules frites, Granville a very nice little leather shop
The SPP low tax booze is not that cheap, compared to UK supermarkets and the 'white van' fermiers cidre and calvi, and cheapish diesel is no huge lure for a sailing yacht, even one with a 250l tank like ours.
The resturants along the harbour West wall were doing deals last year mid week, and our friends said everything except banking was hard going last year, before the European recession started to bite.
For my sins, I was a full time Customer Service/Complaints Manager towards the end of my working life, and I think SPP need to sharpen their act up.
It takes years to build up a good rep, and everyone needs to constantly work at keeping it shiny all the time-
'never forget you are the public face/voice of the job' and
'smile before you pick up that phone, they don't care you've just had a rough 15hr shift!'.
We said that cos you can lose a hard won rep and a lot of money because just one someone was treated badly just once by word of mouth and phone.
The Internet will lose that rep for you in hours.
Our eldest is in Web marketing and also runs his own Web Coy, with Dad helping, and the power of the Web to disseminate 'bad news' at the speed of light is incredible- the Rocna thread could tell SPP what not to do?
Still, Dielette has the best moules frites, Granville a very nice little leather shop, and fishermans co-op, Portbail and Treguier both have brill markets
that would be our preferred course
Evadne
Active member
Funny, isn't it. You get people complaining that we Brits don't complain enough, and then when we do, they complain that we are complaining too much. Maybe I ought to complain.
snooks
Active member
The number of views is, I don't really know how to put this.....it's the number of views...not the number of people.
It could be 10 people viewing the page 1,160 times, or 100 people viewing it 116 times, or 1000 people viewing it 11.6 times
fireball
New member
Stop hitting refresh !!
