Ministry of Defence Police Marine Unit - Complaint

[SC35]

If I wanted to make a complaint about the conduct of the Ministry of Defence Police Marine Unit in Portsmouth Harbour, where would I even start?

They created an unfortunate situation that simply didn't need to happen had I been allowed to do what I was planning to do.

"You are in the main navigation channel."
"Errr, yes, and what? The small boat channel stops at Ballast. I am well North of that and >100m off your dock".
"There's a tanker approaching. You need to move to the other side".
"Errr okay, but if you hadn't cut in front of me and stopped me I would now be around the corner and well clear of that tanker..."

By the time we had finished "chatting" the tanker was really quite close.
So yes, I now have to power up and go to the other side, and come back around in a loop.

I think they were bored and needed someone to intercept to keep the stats looking good.

 

[Poecheng]

I suspect it is a bit like complaining to the BBC. It doesn't matter what you say, they are right; they only know one answer.
It sounds a very frustrating event but leaving it behind will save your blood pressure.

 

[stelican]

Stopped for travelling too fast once.
Told me I had been tracked on radar.
Their quoted speed was infact over
50% lower.

 

[sarabande]

Start a gentle enquiry with KHM reporting an incident

Report an Incident Form | Royal Navy

and ask them to check the radarVTR, and then advise you.

 

[benjenbav]

Sounds like one to write down to experience. Can’t see anything coming of a complaint other than a big waste of your time.

 

[Momac]

If armed police ask you do do something it's probably best to do it.

 

[superheat6k]

If armed police ask you do do something it's probably best to do it.

Why ? He was avoiding a tanker, not the King FFS ! Just because they have guns does not authorise them to shoot who ever annoys them (at least not yet !).

 

[dunedin]

Suspect it is heads they win, tails you lose the argument.
Do you use the waters a lot? If complain might as well paint a very large target on both sides of your bow as going to be getting a lot of personal attention in future ;-)

 

[SC35]

If armed police ask you to do something it's probably best to do it.

Well I did.

But they seemed to be under a misunderstanding that the small boat channel requirement extends all the way into the harbour.

 

[SC35]

Sounds like one to write down to experience. Can’t see anything coming of a complaint other than a big waste of your time.

The last time I complained to KHM, they updated the chart!
I’m in two minds … on the one hand, it’s unlikely to get much traction.
On the other hand, someone might get some gentle advice.

 

[Momac]

I have no idea why military police were interested in a small boat nor a tanker.
Do they normally do this sort of thing ?

 

[SC35]

I have no idea why military police were interested in a small boat nor a tanker.
Do they normally do this sort of thing ?

Yes, they patrol the waters around the Navy Base.
Every now and again it’s interesting to take a look at what’s moored there.
The limit is 50m, I make sure I’m at least 100m off the docks or ships and follow the same route that the tour boats take.
Been doing that since 1999.
Not usually a problem.

 

[Momac]

Why ?

Because of reasons you don't need to know about.

Yes, they patrol the waters around the Navy Base.
Every now and again it’s interesting to take a look at what’s moored there.
The limit is 50m, I make sure I’m at least 100m off and follow the same route that the tour boats take.
Been doing that since 1999.
Not usually a problem.

Perhaps there was some sort of security alert .

 

[SC35]

Perhaps there was some sort of security alert .

More likely some sort of "Doughnut Alert"

 

[footsoldier]

It depends what you are trying to achieve.

If you make a formal complaint through official channels it will end up on the desk of some remote functionary in that there London and probably never get resolved to anyone's satisfaction.

If you just want to simply challenge their actions and possibly educate them on the extent of the small boat channel, it would surely be much more effective if you identify who is their boss on the ground in Portsmouth, the person who is in daily contact with them, and have a word over the phone with him/her.

 

[Greg2]

It depends what you are trying to achieve.

If you make a formal complaint through official channels it will end up on the desk of some remote functionary in that there London and probably never get resolved to anyone's satisfaction.

If you just want to simply challenge their actions and possibly educate them on the extent of the small boat channel, it would surely be much more effective if you identify who is their boss on the ground in Portsmouth, the person who is in daily contact with them, and have a word over the phone with him/her.

That is sensible advice and the second option appears proportionate.
Whilst a little annoying, what is described isn’t something that is likely to warrant any kind of disciplinary action and seeking to educate on a ‘lessons learned’ basis is a constructive way to deal with things.
.

 

[harvey38]

I had a run in with a stationary Police Motorcyclists on Friday, the bloke was an aggressive, arrogant idiot but no point reporting it as it is a waste of my valuable time and head space.

I did get some satisfaction watching his expression change when I told him he was clearly not a servant of the community and no wonder public trust in the Police is at an all time low!

 

[Momac]

I had a run in with a stationary Police Motorcyclists on Friday, the bloke was an aggressive, arrogant idiot

I wonder what he thought about you

 

[Aardee]

Smile sweetly for the nice man in uniform and move on. Life's too short...

 

[henryf]

I too would remain pleasant and be happy that we are able to use recreational craft in what is essentially a military harbour. If I owned the country you wouldn't be anywhere near my Navy, There would be a big gate spanning Fort Blockhouse and the round tower....