Next time it could be your boat!

[Guest]

In my marina (Crest Nicholson, Penarth) there's a truly wonderful family with five daughters (aged 1 - 10) who for some years now have lived on a 50' converted wooden fishing trawler - big North Sea job from the '30's.

Even though they have always paid the annual mooring fee, and the marina rule permit liveaboards, Crest Nicholson have just told them to clear out and have refused to renew their mooring contract for this year.

It seems the marina management don't like the look of their boat - it upsets the neighbours because it looks like Noah's Ark. It is clean, there's no laundry hanging around / no potted plants and bicycles - and the children are the politest you will ever meet (they've become my daughter's best friends.

So, Crest Nicholson have decided to have some form of beauty contest. If they like your boat, then all is fine. If not, then they give you a two week warning to clear out, despite several years of residence, liveaboard permission, and hence children in school and working families. Bristol Channel isn't the South Coast - there aren't dozens of alternatives. In Cardiff there are NONE. To do this to such a wonderful family - freinds of dozens of boat owners in the marina - seems to me to be a truly despicable act of corporate arrogance.

If this account bothers you, PLEASE email the management of Crest Nicholson and tell them what you think. If enough members of this forum, and other, plus the marina residents complain, MAYBE they will see they are making a HUGE PR gaff.

The family in question:

Vince & Mary Shalom
M/v Pitkin, Penarth Marina

Crest Nicholson Marinas Limited
Parklands, Stoke Gifford, BS12 6QU
c.n.marinas@aboard.com

Help correct an injustice being done to a fellow sailor. I appreciate your help.

Regards,

Humperdinck

 

[billskip]

they should refuse to move..let the marina take them to court also make as much "noise" as you can thro local mp and press...but in the long run its sad to say ...if they stay it will never be the same ..eviction can be very expensive for the marina unless they can show good cause..Back in the 70tis this was happening to people that bought mobile homes but the law was changed to protect the residents..maybe the marina cant do this..

Bill
www.aegeansailing.co.uk

 

[graham]

The "Pitkin" was towed to Penarth some years back from the old graving dock in Barry as the dock was filled in and the area redeveloped.

The boat is unlikely to be seaworthy now so how exactly do CN. expect them to go?

If they have paid all the mooring fees then the only reason I can see for their eviction is that they dont fit in with CNs chrome and plastic corporate image.

The marina is not full and with local yacht clubs extending their own pontoons now that Cardiff Bay is nontidal CN may regret loosing the business.

 

[Guest]

Graham,

You're right ... do you know Vince & Mary too?

Are you local to Penarth (I live in Berkshire)? Crest have pissed a lot of marina residents off with this stunt - already three boat owners are threatening to move and I wouldn't be surprised if they and others follow.

 

[RobertMartin]

My e-mails sent...

ps - post the subject as FREE SEX, you need lots of people to read it and start the e-mail wave.. People DO have the power..

Bobby aka Seawolf..
Freedom is the song of your soul..

 

[andy_wilson]

Cardiff Bay Moorings

I'm saddened to hear about this. It probably ranks with the equivalent of sacking the secirity firm. I would have thought a regular presence would have been highly desirable through the winter, and even through the summer midweek.

Anyway, we are sailing around Britain this year, departing The Solent around Easter, and expecting to make the Severn by Autumn. Can any of you locals suggest Yacht Clubs that may be worth contacting for winter lay-up.

Sounds like my '89 Fulmar might not get in at C & N's.

(You may have noticed, we are planning to pause and smell the flowers on the way, rather than charge around non-stop!)

We promise to wave to HJ as we pass.