Liverpool Marina Lock Charges?

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catalac08

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Just been looking at the Marina Website and I see that there is a charge of £14 each way for non contract boats which I assume is all visitor boats. I have never come across lock charges before, is this common? This would amount to £46 a night for an 8m boat!
 
catalac08 said:
Just been looking at the Marina Website and I see that there is a charge of £14 each way for non contract boats which I assume is all visitor boats. I have never come across lock charges before, is this common? This would amount to £46 a night for an 8m boat!
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Liverpool Marina is becoming less and less popular as its charges do not reflect the level of service provided. That's why I didn't renew my berthing contract earlier this month and moved to Chichester Harbour (Thornham Marina) as a much more cost effective location.
 
There are no specific lock charges at Glasson Dock, Fleetwood, Whitehaven or Port Dinorwic to name the four I'm most familiar with. I assume the cost of operating the locks is covered by the charges made for contract and visitors' berthing.
 
Jaguar 25 said:
Liverpool Marina is becoming less and less popular as its charges do not reflect the level of service provided. That's why I didn't renew my berthing contract earlier this month and moved to Chichester Harbour (Thornham Marina) as a much more cost effective location.
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Which is why I've gone to Wales after 20yrs at Liverpool.
 
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I wasn't charged for locking when I visited in May, beyond the normal visitor rate, of course.

It was a little tired on the pontoons and showers but the staff were welcoming and the location is good. I think they are capitalising on the restaurant earnings, weddings etc.
 
I went in autumn 2013 and left spring 2014 - no lock charges. But I came in alongside a windcat and went out with a group of yachts. I don't know but I suspect a special locking just for you will incur charges. But call them up in the morning to find out for sure.
ps. If you have to wait, there are some moorings on the opposite side of the river, maybe you could pinch one for the duration? I did.
 
Unless it's changed there is no lock charge during normal staffing hours. I suspect the £14 may be for vessels which are transiting through to the canal network via the new Pier Head link. Out of hours locking is about £50 IIRC.
Agree that Liverpool is poor value considering its access.
 
I considered Liverpool for my boat but decided against it based on the pricing...

1: The location doesn't justify the prices they charge for seagoing craft - access to sea is too distant and dificult for the price level.

2: I didn't like the out of hours locking charges. They are free to charge however they want - but penalising people who actually use their boats isn't how I want to be charged.

Basically... might be alright for a power fishing boat where you don't care too much about tidal streams... not so good for a small yacht and not worth the money. But they seem to be pretty busy from the Google Earth view - so I guess mine is a minority view.

I had my last boat in Maryport for a while. Same coast...much cheaper and if you want to go out on high tide at night time no problem the gate will be open.... you won't be paying a £50 out of hours charge. They were also friendly and helpful.
 
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yachtailsa said:
I considered Liverpool for my boat but decided against it based on the pricing...

1: The location doesn't justify the prices they charge for seagoing craft - access to sea is too distant and dificult for the price level.

2: I didn't like the out of hours locking charges. They are free to charge however they want - but penalising people who actually use their boats isn't how I want to be charged.

Basically... might be alright for a power fishing boat where you don't care too much about tidal streams... not so good for a small yacht and not worth the money. But they seem to be pretty busy from the Google Earth view - so I guess mine is a minority view.

I had my last boat in Maryport for a while. Same coast...much cheaper and if you want to go out on high tide at night time no problem the gate will be open.... you won't be paying a £50 out of hours charge. They were also friendly and helpful.
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I am so glad that the owner of Liverpool Marina declined to buy Port Dinorwic earlier this year!

Port Dinorwic is a "port of refuge" and the owner has to ensure the lock is manned for all hours that access is possible and provide unimpeded emergency access.

I wonder if this had a bearing on the decision?
 
yachtailsa said:
... not so good for a small yacht and not worth the money. But they seem to be pretty busy from the Google Earth view - so I guess mine is a minority view.

The Google Earth picture is years old. Marina has many empty berths now compared to 2 years ago when I first went there and the reasons for this are obvious to all except the owners, i'e' poor value for money. However, I don't think they are bothered and are more interested in berthing narrow boats.

If you want to go out for a day's sailing and not pay the out of hours lock charges, you are limited to the few occasions per year when there are two high tides within the normal lock opening hours. Otherwise you have to be content with a 2 hour (or less) sail up to Garston and back, which isn't the most thrilling of sails!
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There are some issues at Liverpool Marina in part due to the onerous lease that they operate under. I can only say there's a lot of money going to people other than the marina operator. As far as the locking charge is concerned I am not aware of one for boats staying in the marina, contract or visitor, locking at normal operating times which is 0600 to 2200. There is a £50 charge for out of hours locking.
 
savageseadog said:
ocking at normal operating times which is 0600 to 2200. There is a £50 charge for out of hours locking.
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That's pretty much my point... those are normal times for a fast day-tripping power boat - for a small yacht normal time is whenever, day or night, the tide is right...
 
TSB240 said:
I am so glad that the owner of Liverpool Marina declined to buy Port Dinorwic earlier this year!

Port Dinorwic is a "port of refuge" and the owner has to ensure the lock is manned for all hours that access is possible and provide unimpeded emergency access.

I wonder if this had a bearing on the decision?
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I think you have that proposed transaction the wrong way round:encouragement:
 
savageseadog said:
There are some issues at Liverpool Marina in part due to the onerous lease that they operate under. I can only say there's a lot of money going to people other than the marina operator. As far as the locking charge is concerned I am not aware of one for boats staying in the marina, contract or visitor, locking at normal operating times which is 0600 to 2200. There is a £50 charge for out of hours locking.
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It would seem a strange business decision to let off the bar, restaurant and yard so other entities then.
 
To clarify, no locking charges for visitors staying in the marina (some boats use the Brunswick to get to the Inland waterways or directly to the yard) - free locking times have just extended from 5am to Midnight.

Not normally an issue for visiting boats as you arrive on the flood or before HW but be careful approaching the lock entrance after HW, the ebb runs extremly strong up to 5/6 knots along the river / dock walls. Once into the entrance no current at all.

Lock sill is 4.5meters above datum and operates when there is 2.0meters of tide over that or above. So 6.5meters of tide on the graph...

Liverpool is what is it, but it can be blowing a hurricane 70/80/90 mph and the boats sit nice and snug in the dock. Never any worries about anything as the level of water is around 5meters below the height of the dock walls, the docks are surrounded by new multi story housing developments so you hardly know what's going on until you get out the lock! Tricky locking in, in strong (gale or near gale and above) South Easterlys as the swell builds and rolls into the lock but in 25 years only had that pleasure twice!

spent several years in Holyhead and still have the numerous gel coat scars, 15 fenders and MOoring chains required for the winter! (Yes mooring chains on a 12m yacht!)
 
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