Guernsey Marina confusion

[rotrax]

Guernsey is one of our favourite destinations but there are a couple of things which mean we'll give it a miss in future. It is irritating to be disturbed at 8 o'clock each morning by someone wanting to see proof that the mooring fees have been paid and this despite sticking the receipt in the window as requested. I can think of no other marina in the UK or Northern France which polices it's moorings so aggressively.

There does not seem to be a lot of planning either. We were moved twice to accommodate a rally. The marina knew the rally was coming, apparently it had been booked in months in advance, but instead of reserving a space for the visiting boats it was all accommodated ad hoc with the result that there were a lot of unnecessary and duplicated boat movements and, yes, you've guessed it early in the morning. One explanation for all this I was given was the fact that a lot of the 'old timers' who used to run the marina efficiently retired last year and the new guys were not fully trained and up to speed. However the staff we saw, probably work experience students, had a jolly old time zipping about the harbour on the ribs causing far too much wash. bring back the 'old timers' I say.

Anyone else had similar problems?

Knowing how things work I have just pointed this thread out to the St Peter Port Chamber of Commerce. The charming lady I spoke with did not believe me at first but began to get the message. I do hope it can be sorted as First Mate and I were planning to visit this year. When visiting previously we have had a great time, obviously before the problems started.

 

[Sandy]

Well here is another one that will not be stopping off there on our usual trip to Brittany.

 

[Sailfree]

Knowing how things work I have just pointed this thread out to the St Peter Port Chamber of Commerce. The charming lady I spoke with did not believe me at first but began to get the message. I do hope it can be sorted as First Mate and I were planning to visit this year. When visiting previously we have had a great time, obviously before the problems started.

If they are going to sort it they also need to sort a reliable taxi service for the harbour pontoons. Fine if you are staying a few days pump up your own dinghy but completely unreliable for the quick overnight visit.

 

[Yacht Breeze]

Oh dear!

I didn't know quite what I was starting here.

We had a bad experience and suspected we were not alone but I had no idea the problems at St. Peter Port were as bad as they apparently are, judging by the comments on here.

Guernsey is well placed to act as a convenient and attractive transit point but lots of us will be giving it a miss until they sort themselves out. That's bad news not only for the harbour authority but also for the bars, restaurants, chandlers and shops. Every boat that fails to stop means lost revenue and that, ultimately means jobs.

So come on Guernsey, wake up, knock some sense into the harbour management, train staff better and discover what's meant by customer service. As has been said elsewhere here, a trip to Yarmouth for some lessons on how to run a marina would be a good investment.

 

[Poignard]

If they are going to sort it they also need to sort a reliable taxi service for the harbour pontoons. Fine if you are staying a few days pump up your own dinghy but completely unreliable for the quick overnight visit.

And kick the arses of p---- who secure their dinghies with short painters.

 

[sailorman]

And kick the arses of p---- who secure their dinghies with short painters.

the out-dated visitor guide mentions that

 

[Hamma]

Well here is another one that will not be stopping off there on our usual trip to Brittany.

And us - we were going to, but I'm not going to bother now. Normally I would take this sort of stuff into account and go anyway to see for myself, but this is more or less universal condemnation. Why waste the money?

What a shame.

 

[fireball]

I didn't know quite what I was starting here.

We had a bad experience and suspected we were not alone but I had no idea the problems at St. Peter Port were as bad as they apparently are, judging by the comments on here.

Nor did I ... but our last visit was a couple of years ago ... was hoping to go back this year as we like the island .... I don't mind a bit of "bustle" but I don't like the sound of the reported incidents from this thread!

Oh - and as for pricing the outside pontoons the same as the walkashore ... eh? Why?!

 

[Sailfree]

Guernsey is well placed to act as a convenient and attractive transit point but lots of us will be giving it a miss until they sort themselves out. That's bad news not only for the harbour authority but also for the bars, restaurants, chandlers and shops. Every boat that fails to stop means lost revenue and that, ultimately means jobs.

I always used Guernsey as a transit stop and used to spend many £s there but now often consider alternatives.

One year we took pity on the student manning the taxi (it was raining and he was huddled up freezing) and invited him on board to warm up and have a coffee and snack. Told him to bring his H/H VHF on board and just shoot off if he got any calls or saw anyone on the pontoon waiting. Poor sod was very grateful.

Cheap tax free fuel from Boatworks must still make it attractive though for MoBos. Not at low tide though!!

 

[npf1]

I've pointed out the thread to the Tourist Board and I too hope that something is done to improve the situation.

I also agree with the sentiments posted by others that applying some common sense and good customer service won’t cost them a penny extra. Yet, the lack of these has clearly made many yotties vote with their feet so must already costing Guernsey tourist $.

I do know that I won’t be going back until I’ve had some firsthand accounts that there’s been an improvement.

What was that truism about time taken to build a reputation …

 

[longjohnsilver]

The following is a copy of a series of emails between myself and SPP HM. I never did get a proper answer. Especially his comment "quite why he waits 2 weeks before raising it is a bit of a mystery".

Still leaves me feeling annoyed.


Dear Mike

I raised the issue with the marina office at the time of the incident.

I waited 2 weeks to send the email as I was still cruising and did not return home till last week!! At which time I could then download the photos from my camera. Hopefully that resolves your HMs mystery........
Regards

John


On 6 Sep 2010, at 14:43, "Galliott, Michael" <Michael.Galliott@gov.gg> wrote:

Dear Mr N

The harbour master has asked that I reply on his behalf, I was sorry to hear of your unfortunate experience when returning to St Peter Port on the 18th August.
We will be making further enquires reference this incident, but unfortunately to date the marina attendant with the unhelpful attitude has yet to come forward.

For your information I will be on the CI stand at the “Southampton Boat show” from the 10th-13th September followed by the marina manager until the end of the show, and I look forward to meeting with yourself if you are attending the show.

Best regards

Mike Galliott

From: Gill, Peter
Sent: 03 September 2010 13:36
To: Galliott, Michael; Gaudion, Mike; Trebert, Graham
Subject: FW: EOS

Can one of you guys look into this please.
Quite why he waits two weeks before raising it is a bit of a mystery.

From: JOHN]
Sent: 03 September 2010 13:27
To: Gill, Peter
Subject: EOS

Dear Captain Gill

We spent many days in St Peter Port last month on the outer pontoons. We were generally impressed by the cheerfulness and helpful attitude of your staff.

Unfortunately there was one occasion when we were left feeling very agrieved. We returned from Jersey on Weds 18th August at approx 15.30 and found a berth alongside a pontoon. We have a 13.8m motorboat. Shortly after we had secured ourslves we saw a larger old ex racing boat entering the harbour which we recognised as being berthed ahead of us in St Helier. This boat was at least 20' longer than us. Before we knew it we were being hailed by one of your HM boats telling us he was putting this boat alonside us. We did not have time to re-rig our outside fenders before this boat hit us! I protested loudly that it was a totally unsuitable boat to raft alongside us as his toe rail was higher than out handrails and he had no effective fenders set. We were told he was coming alongside regardless. This was witnessed by other people on the pontoon who fortunately saw what was happening and could see that I and my partner could not push a 68'+ boat off by ourselves after it had hit us and caused my bulwarks to flex to such an extent that I thought they would fracture.

We soon had about 10 men on board helping to push off the French boat whilst we set fenders at an appropriate height, which was difficult due to our difference in size. Luckily we do not appear to have suffered any permanent damage but it certainly spoilt my day. The attitude of the HM assistant was one of almost disdain; he could see no problem in rafting up a 68' aluminium sailing boat against a 13.8m motorboat. He stated on several occasions that he could not be held responsible for the sailing boat being effectively unfendered and then hitting us. He also stated there was nowhere else to put the sailing vessel which I find somewhat hard to believe.

I have attached several photos showing the incompatability of rafting a much larger aluminium sailing boat outside a smaller GRP motor boat. The 2 do not mix! In 30 years of boating I have never seen a boat almost 50% longer being rafted on the outside of a smaller vessel. Indeed all the crews of the other boats on the pontoon made similar comments to us and your HM assistant. I spoke to someone callede Jamie in the marina office and his comment was that he would not have made the same decision to raft the sailing boat alongside us.,

When we came to leave the next day I requested assistance from the marina office as my 5' 2" tall partner could not possibly push a 68' boat off by herself whilst also attending to our lines. We were told that someone would be over to assist in 10 minutes. 25 minutes later no-one had appeared. Luckily the same crews off the other boats were on hand to help and we eventually slipped out without further incident.

The whole episode leaves a bitter taste, particularly the attitude of your HM assistant and the cavalier attitude of the French skipper who just laughed when he saw the problems he was causing. The former is hopefully something you can do something about, the latter is of course outside of your control. I shudder to think what damage we would have found if we had not been aboard when this boat attempted to raft against us! I do hope you take this up with your staff and it helps to prevent anything similar happening again.

 

[Mudisox]

I think that you should all boycott the place. Leave more room for me; I go about 4-5 times a year, often out of season though without any problems. Remember that they have to cope with the visitors from further South, not known for their boating manners.
As for those that cannot be bothered to launch a dinghy, you miss the best of what the Channel Isles can offer. free to anchor in any of the wonderful bays. I suppose that most moaners are from the Boat parks in the Solent.

Feeling grumpy today I am.

 

[Robin]

I always used Guernsey as a transit stop and used to spend many £s there but now often consider alternatives.

One year we took pity on the student manning the taxi (it was raining and he was huddled up freezing) and invited him on board to warm up and have a coffee and snack. Told him to bring his H/H VHF on board and just shoot off if he got any calls or saw anyone on the pontoon waiting. Poor sod was very grateful.

Cheap tax free fuel from Boatworks must still make it attractive though for MoBos. Not at low tide though!!

Our last two truck stops back from Brittany were anchored overnight in Havelet Bay, with a 20 minute detour on departure next day to top up with the tax free diesel at Boatworks.

 

[fireball]

LJS - your incident raises the question (again) about the right to refuse a rafting.
In many places rafting is common place and most of us accept that. However, in directing an inappropriate vessel (your assessment I believe) to berth alongside you, the HM (assistant) put your boat & crew at risk.

Surely an HM (assistant) does not have the right to insist on a rafting against the skippers judgement?
Of course, this then opens up the window for those that prefer not to be rafted against - so there's swings and roundabouts...

 

[longjohnsilver]

LJS - your incident raises the question (again) about the right to refuse a rafting.
In many places rafting is common place and most of us accept that. However, in directing an inappropriate vessel (your assessment I believe) to berth alongside you, the HM (assistant) put your boat & crew at risk.

Surely an HM (assistant) does not have the right to insist on a rafting against the skippers judgement?
Of course, this then opens up the window for those that prefer not to be rafted against - so there's swings and roundabouts...

Quite happy to have folks rafted up, but was given no choice on this occasion.

And in response to previous poster we do not come from a marina, we have a river berth but prefer to be on a pontoon when in Guernsey cos it's easier for us and our dogs. But very happy to anchor elsewhere.

 

[fireball]

Quite happy to have folks rafted up, but was given no choice on this occasion.

And in response to previous poster we do not come from a marina, we have a river berth but prefer to be on a pontoon when in Guernsey cos it's easier for us and our dogs. But very happy to anchor elsewhere.

We are in a similar situation (no dogs though)

 

[Pete7]

Well having waded through 6 pages of this, we will go back to St PP again this year. Shame we have to be on the outer pontoons (for the dog) but there is always something going on which can be entertaining. Given the turnover in the harbour twice a day the staff do a reasonable job, but could go a little slower in those dories. Water taxi is a disgrace and the contract or licence should be given to someone who wants to run a business. Dinghy painters, well thats the fault of boat owners not the Hbr master.

See you all in July, normal spot please Hbr master.

Pete

 

[oleander2]

My sentiments exactly. I avoid it like the plague. I prefer Braye or St Helier.

 

[Seajet]

Well I used to visit StPP every season, haven't for a few years for various non-sailing reasons.

I always used to enjoy my visits, and was hoping to go again this season; after reading this, and especially the unsatisfactory replies from the Guernsey authorities, we and our wallets will not be going.

If there's one thing which will really get to me, it's being treated with disdain by incompetents, while being expected to part with as much of my cash as possible during my stay.

 

[1937rogerdon]

St Peters Port

I was planning this year to visit but like many others concerned over the comments of regular visitors.
My I suggest that those with concerns E.Mail the Chamber of commerce and the tourist board,bring their attention to the Yachting Monthly Forum site and the particular thread.
This I have done today,I wonder if I will get any response .