I've had an E-mail from MSSA

Peppermint

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I\'ve had an E-mail from MSSA

Marine Services Standards Assistance. They are starting a campaign to challenge the accepted idea that liftout's are charged by boat length.

From MSSA E-Mail.

"This is one that we think you will all agree needs to be looked at, crane charges. What has always annoyed us and we’re sure many of you, is that this has always been charged for on a per foot basis - why we ask? We do appreciate that some companies are starting to charge flat rate fees but the trend has not gone far enough. So we’ve written to the British Marine Industry Federation (BMIF) to ask for their view on the subject.


The main bug bear I’m sure is that the bigger the boat to more your pay. Even though it’s the same employees and the same equipment used for a 15 foot boat as a 30 foot boat, but the owner of the bigger boat pays double the price when it takes the same amount of time and no additional resources.


Take this example, a boat is 24 feet long and costs £113 to lift out, ex VAT. It takes the company 30 minutes to remove the boat, transport her and chock her. This equates to £226 per hour. Why then does a highly skilled marine engineer only get charged out at around £45 per hour? Something needs to be done and we’ll keep you posted on any developments. "

Many of their points and comparisons to justify their argument seem a bit flawed to me.

1. The idea that cost is the same regardless of size.

2. The idea that lift out charges hourly rate can be compared to employing an engineer at an hourly rate.

Both of these seem to ignore both capital costs for equipment and overhead costs.

What do you think?

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qsiv

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Re: I\'ve had an E-mail from MSSA

Well - I'd say size does alter the costs... Your 24 footer wont weigh more than a tonne or so - we weigh 28 tonnes. They wont need too many chocks - we have shores every 6 feet or so (and the baulk of timber under the keel is pretty substantial). Thene there is the issue of the slings, which have to be insurance tested for rated loads, and I believe have a life based on tonnes lifted.

And when it all goes wrong and I sue them for dropping the boat, I will be after a MUCH bigger slice of their cover!

In one sense I agree - length isnt the right indicator (weight is), but length is easy (everyone knows it) and few know their displacement.

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