LAST YEAR'S MOST HELPFUL HARBOUR MASTERS

Re: LAST YEAR\'S MOST HELPFUL HARBOUR MASTERS

Sparkes Marina Hayling Island - we were moored alongside near the fuel berth when a large mobo came charging up the narrow channel bouncing off the other boats fenders. He came straight towards our boat and looked like a serious collision was inevitable. Out of nowhere the berthing master came up in his rib and deliberately placed himself between us and the mobo turning his rib into a big fender. It looked like the rib was about to be crushed so the BM and his mate scrambled up onto our boat to escape. Fortunately the old rib survived and they hopped back in to berth the out of control mobo. It was brave and resourceful act on the part of the BM to prevent damage to the customers' boats in that way.

It turned out that the mobo's electronic engine controls were defective and he only had full throttle forward and astern and stop. It seemed a stupid act to bring an out of control boat into a tight marina like Sparkes - he could have waited outside and the yard would have towed him to his berth.

A few weeks later we were struggling to get out of our berth due to the high wind and, when he saw us in difficulty, the same berthing master gave us a tow away from the pontoon.
 
Re: LAST YEAR\'S MOST HELPFUL HARBOUR MASTERS

Yet another vote for Brightlingsea HM.

Always helpful, friendly and will fit you in somewhere........ which can be interesting.

Act as unofficial water taxi when official (commercial) one isn't running.

Also willing to be inshore rescue when needed......... came across a two-man dinghy crew off Brightlingsea late one evening this summer who, due to exhaustion in strong winds, couldn't right their capsized dinghy. Called HM to see if dinghy safety boat was available........ no problem they said, no safety boat out but just stand by them and we'll come out and tow them in.

Good as their word, job done......... two relieved dinghy sailors.
 
Re: LAST YEAR\'S MOST HELPFUL HARBOUR MASTERS

Let's hear it for Sid at Emsworth. Always friendly, always helpful and extremely knowledgeable.
 
Re: LAST YEAR\'S MOST HELPFUL HARBOUR MASTERS

Most Harbour Masters are helpful and reasonable. I am struggling to think of a "bad" one !! Possibly the worst harbours are those that don't have a harbour master ?
 
Re: LAST YEAR\'S MOST HELPFUL HARBOUR MASTERS

Got to be the Berthing Masters at Yarmouth IOW, despite thier handicap of a really wierd bunch of commissioners ashore.
 
Re: Salcombe

Yep, the Salcombe HM met us before we had a chance to find anywhere ourselves, and very kindly directed us to join a raft of 4 other boats in the harbour. They were very accomodating when we told them we had a five year old and three year old on board and that we were "concerned" about the disturbance we might cause to the other raftees. HM quickly found us an alternative mooring all to ourselves.....
/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: LAST YEAR\'S MOST HELPFUL HARBOUR MASTERS

Wells-next-the-sea
I'll second that, it was a bit more than last year though. We made a Wells our safety port enroute Grimsby to Yarmouth as we were hitting some bad weather. The HM talked us into port through the mostly unlit fairway bouys, helped us moor and lent a ladder to scale the harbour wall. He even mentioned the pub had a late licence that night.
Mind the entrance sand bar as the incoming tide dips while running over it, as we found out while following a fishing boat that was supposed to have the same draft as us.
 
Re: LAST YEAR\'S MOST HELPFUL HARBOUR MASTERS

[ QUOTE ]
St Michaels, Maryland were pretty good.
On dock to take lines.
Choice of newspapers and reasonable bottle of wine on booking in, plus visitors guide to town, and buying round of drinks when off duty in the marina bar - spect he puts it on expenses.
One nice touch. The hoses on the fuel pumps will reach the full length of the pretty substantial visitors' pontoon so now need to move to fill up./forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

This was the only place on our Bay cruising list we never got to. Ah well, have to leave something for next time /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

When do you plan going out there again?
 
Re: LAST YEAR\'S MOST HELPFUL HARBOUR MASTERS

Poole Town Quay - extremely unhelpful - tried mooring a bunch of boats alongside before we'd finished making fast.
 
Re: LAST YEAR\'S MOST HELPFUL HARBOUR MASTERS

I second that, but I also like the way they are on top of everything, and won't stand for any nonsense. Some years ago the skipper of a visiting german yacht was on the (original) pontoon, where it is the norm to raft, often three or four deep on busy weekends. However, our friend was having none of it, and kicked away several other yachts that attempted to come alongside (at the instructions of the duty berthing master). Shortly after, a grim looking Harbour Master (a really nice bloke in normal circumstances) came along and ordered our German friend out of the harbour, to resounding cheers from many!!
 
Re: LAST YEAR\'S MOST HELPFUL HARBOUR MASTERS

Yes!!
My Vote goes to Brightlingsea also. By far the most helpful friendly and relaxed harbour crew I know. Also venue for my twin daughters record haul of crabs, 114 in two hours.
 
Re: LAST YEAR\'S MOST HELPFUL HARBOUR MASTERS

Ostend - Ramsgate Ferries http://www.transeuropaferries.co.uk/ have been taking passengers for the last coupla years - not sure about foot passengers but certainly cars. One of their ferries is a sister of the Herald of Free Enterprise though which must be a bit spooky....
 
Re: LAST YEAR\'S MOST HELPFUL HARBOUR MASTERS

Another vote for Brightlingsea.I was there late in the season & he gave me the keys to the yacht club so we could shower at our leisure.I have been going there for some years & he never turns anyone away.Top man(& dog)
 
Re: LAST YEAR\'S MOST HELPFUL HARBOUR MASTERS

Got to be David at Rothesay. He'll even make sure your drink is fit for human consumption /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top