Harbour Dues Collecting

[john_morris_uk]

We run a sort of informal book on board about how long it takes to be 'grabbed' by the harbourmaster or one of his officials when entering a port or harbour. Salcombe usually wins by miles, but Braye harbour Alderney runs a lose second. We discount the friendly ones like those in St Peterport, Guernsey, who come and just ask where you want to stay and come back and collect money later in a civilised way when you are all settled. Any other suggestions as to who has the most aggressive harbour master?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[oldharry]

Castle Cove, Portland, where money was demanded before I had even dropped anchor - I refused (not very politely - it had been a long and rough passage) and told him if he wanted money, to come back later when I was sorted. He didn't, and I strongly suspect it was a touch of Dorset longshore entrepreneurism.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[tony_brighton]

Poole Town Quay - likewise had not finished mooring up before they wanted cash; oh and 4 school boats were trying to raft up at the same time.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[StephenW]

Hi John

Must say that we called into Braye harbour in May this year and they were a picture of helpfulness, both afloat and on shore...advised where to avoid the worst of the wind and were hepful over where/how to pay.

Staff in the harbourmasters office also went out of their way to help point us in the direction of showers, electronics people to help fix our Autohelm (Mainbrayce, cheery and none too expensive at £25!) and the best walks around the island and reasonable places to eat...as well as yarns about the local storms!

Couldn't fault it really...

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[john_morris_uk]

I'd forgotten Poole. I used to enjoy going there and rafting up on the wall - try to avoid the place now...

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[john_morris_uk]

I'd forgotten Poole. I used to enjoy going there and rafting up on the wall - try to avoid the place now... Perhaps I have tried to subconciously delete the Poole part of my memory after my last visit to the pluch new 'marina'?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Cornishman]

From an earlier string of posts Fowey seems to be pretty aggressive

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[vyv_cox]

St Mary's on Scilly about 10 years ago. We wanted to go alongside the jetty to get water but the ferry was berthed there, expected to depart in a few minutes. We motored around in circles about 50 metres away to kill time, where we were intercepted by a money collector anticipating that we were about to anchor.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[jimi]

I assume that there is some relationship between the Fowey Harbour Comissioners and Big Ear's money printing Duchy of Corwall?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Lynette]

Harbour master at Fowey

The harbour master in Fowey isn't at all aggressive, in fact he was distinctly apologetic about having to ask me for such large 'harbour dues'. It is Fowey Harbour Commissioners that are unreasonable in charging more for anchoring, without any facilities, than some east coast marinas charge visitors for full services.

My problem was partly that we were not approached until the morning after we had anchored. If the harbour master grabs you on arrival at least you know where you stand.

 

[hlb]

I've never found them agresive in Fowey. Expencive yes, especialy the taxis, but then there comercial and nothing to do with the harbour master. I once got into the ferry instead of the taxi. He had to stop half way and radio the taxi!! Was not allowed to just drop me of for fear of pinching taxi work!! But no, the harbour staff are fine, bring you a newspaper in the morning and take away your rubbish. Mind you, they all have motor boats, maybe thats why I get better treatment!!

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[Peppermint]

Scariest was Falmouth only because the collector couldn't drive a dodgem let alone his launch.

Salcombe is first to the pocket.

The strangest is Lymington Yacht Haven. We called them up and were allocated a berth. By the time I made my way to the office, about twenty minutes, they'd gone home. So how do you get back to your boat? You have to beg from the drinkers in the bar to let you back through the gate.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Joe_Cole]

You were able to find the visitors moorings a Falmouth?

We had spent two days on a vacant private mooring before we realised! Still, it saved a few quid!

Joe

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Rob_Webb]

The minute you cross the bar at Bealieu you become liable even if you anchor in the lower (and often exposed) reaches of the river by the bird reserve. I think the saddest sight was the harbour master chasing down the river and coming alongside boats moving off from their lower reach anchorage on their way out to the entrance - I'd be tempted to say that once I am underway, you have blown your chance to collect my money, so I'm not going to be distracted by a harbourmaster's launch bumping alongisde my boat whilst I concentrate on departing - better luck next time!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Peppermint]

The Clyde was best. No swinging moorings were charged fo at all.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Evadne]

The one that still annoys me most is Bucklers Hard marina: the minimum length charge is 39 feet, even though most of the pontoons are barely 20 feet long. For me they are even more expensive than the Lymington marinas, and that's saying something.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[jeanne]

New Grimsby between Tresco and Bryher - if you anchor on the Tresco side it's pay up or else; we therefore use the Bryher side, more sheltered from wind against tide waltzing and not a penny to pay....and if we put the legs on, Green Bay is the perfect snug.

I don't mind paying for someone else to maintain and lay moorings and provide facilities, but damned if I'm going to pay 'harbour dues' for laying to my own tackle when I don't need shoreside facilities.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[jhr]

Buckler's Hard is expensive, and that's that. It's also probably the most unspoilt part of the Solent that nevertheless offers the kind of on-shore facilities that many now expect. It's market forces, I'm afraid - You pays yer money and takes yer choice.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[kgi]

We went to beaulieu in my thirty foot cat, and when we tied up between the piles for dinner/lunch he motored up and demanded ten pounds...i looked at him and said we are only going to be an hour, to which his reply was its still a tenner, the crew looked at me, and one went to the bow the other to the stern and we started up and cast off.....he followed us up the river, and that was like a red rag to a bull, it was a case of right you bugger follow this!!!!!! the tide was going out like stink and we just kept going until we ran out of water, needless to say the pirate in the launch wasn't that anxious to collect his tenner, he turned around and went back down for the easier pickings, we had a two hour break for dinner and when the tide came in we motored back down the channel and out past the hbr masters launch, happy that we had done our bit against piracy!!!!!!!......keith

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ccscott49]

I loved that one, excellent!! tee hee, I'd have loved to see the look on his very red face!

<hr width=100% size=1>