Launching Charges?

Tranona said:
That is an over simplistic view. It is no different in France. In areas where there is excess demand and limited supply (eg Med coast) charges are high - ineed in some places far higher than UK. Where there is less demand and more availability (Atlantic and Channel coasts) prices are low. This applies to moorings, berthing, launching fees etc.

No different than UK. Have look at the map that accompanies the PBO marina guide which shows the average marina costs in all the areas of the UK. Typically the further you go north and away from the areas of highest demand the price falls so that northern marinas are half the price of those in the south - and in Scotland many public facilities are free to encourage visitors, with the cost being picked up by the local residents through local taxes, or from the rest of us through government subsidies.
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I can't think of any free public facilities provided to encourage visitors, please can you give an example?
 
prv said:
Nothing unpleasant about Crosshouse Hard under the Itchen Bridge. I've been there on various occasions with my mate's various decrepit motorboats, no bother at all. The nearby car park is pay & display, but the slip is free and you could conceivably take your car away somewhere else if you were really tight.



Definitely no "accumulated rubbish and mud" at Crosshouse.

Of course you have to motor down Southampton Water, but that's no hardship at 25 knots :D

Pete
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6kt max up there mate, until your downstream of VTS. :eek:
 
awol said:
I'm afraid the days of the free HIDB moorings are long gone. I only know of Millport that I think is still free, though it is a couple of years since I last spent an uncomfortable rolly night there.
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Thanks. Shows how long since I have been in that part of the world.
 
The blue buoys around the Outer Hebrides are now charged for by the council, but it's a nominal fee (something like £2.50?) and you have to go and find the website and pay online.
 
awol said:
I'm afraid the days of the free HIDB moorings are long gone. I only know of Millport that I think is still free, though it is a couple of years since I last spent an uncomfortable rolly night there.
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Lots of places on the West Coast have free visitor moorings, many of them ex-HIDB. For example, Brodick has free moorings. Also, many Hotels and Restaurants have moorings that are free, on the assumption that if you use the mooring you'll probably patronize the bar/restaurant! Lots of places in the Kyles of Bute. A few places charge, but it's usually voluntary and presumes you'll be using shore-side facilities - for example, Loch Ranza has visitor moorings and provides a pontoon for dinghies and short term berthing; the charge is nominally for using the pontoon, and is via an honesty box.

Further North and West, I think that free visitor moorings are pretty common, and in any case, most of the tenable places are OK for anchoring.
 
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prv said:
Until Hythe Pier actually, but that's only the very first bit where it's probably worth giving the engine a few minutes to warm up anyway.

Pete
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To be exact,

"Notice to Mariners No 32 of 2004

a) Rivers test & Itchen - The maximum speed permitted above Dockhead is 6 knts consistent with safe navigation.

b) Dockhead to Hythe Pier/Weston Shelf buoy - Dispensation to operate at full speed may be given by Southampton VTS providing the main navigeable channel is clear of conflicting traffic and no excessive was is generated.

c) If visibility falls below 5 cables, speed at (a) & (b) above is to be reduced to a maximum of 6 knots consistent with safe navigation.

d) When proceeding to & from the Passenger Terminal on the East side of the Town Quay all high speed passenger vessels are required to reduce speed below 6 knots. The application of this rule applies eastward of a line joining Pier Head Buoy and the most Westerley point at Dock head. Dispensation will not be given to any vessel to exceed the speed limit within this area.

Notice to Mariners

No 24 of 2003

Safety in Small Craft

A speed limit of 6 knots (over the ground) applies to all craft proceeding north of the imaginary line between Hythe Pier and the Weston Shelf Buoy, unless granted an exception by the Harbour Master. Speed should be moderate at all times relevant to the local conditions. Furthermore, no person shall operate a personal water craft at a speed greater than 6 knots over the ground within 200 metres of Mean High Water Springs on either side of Southampton Water."
 
wotayottie said:
Which is irrelevant if you're sandwiched between a government fixing your block grant and your rates on the one hand and rising costs on the other. The council does not benefit from the increased sales there might be in local shops. they have to keep their own finances in order first.
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That is sooo shortsighted & narrow minded.

Any Council will always be aware of the need for successful businesses on the High Street paying their business rates. To keep their own finances in order they need a functioning civic economy.

A collapsed town centre economy will often mean loss of power for the incumbent party. They sure as Hell understand that.

Even Councillors & most of their senior staff will fully understand the importance of what I said. Sadly they just don't see the value of the incoming revenues from non-B&B tourists.
 
awol said:
I can't think of any free public facilities provided to encourage visitors, please can you give an example?
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The Clyde, Highlands, Western Isles, North & East coasts are littered with small harbours, slipways, quaysides etc from the days of the Steam Puffer Trade & Herring fleets. Most of them are still available at little or no charge. Visitors are frequently welcomed too, quite a shock for those more used to the usual reception darn sarf.
 
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