Petrol on the Orwell?

[Little Rascal]

We are bringing our little Hunter Europa down to SYH in a few weeks. We have a small two-stroke which we plan not to use much but how easy is it to get hold of petrol on the Orwell and Stour? We also plan to visit the Backwaters and the Deben...

We will have a couple of 5 litre petol cans but hope to keep these topped up every couple of days? Walking isn't too much of a problem... and as a worst case scenario we could head back to SYH and the car.

Thanks,
Jon

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

Shell Orwell is right next to Fox's marina. Be warned though, the Manageress is a right little Hitler! She will only let you have a maximum of 10 litres even if you are walking from the Marina and not carrying the petrol in your car. I was even forbidden to have more than that amount of diesel despite different regulations applying to diesel. Currently trying to get the RYA and Shell management to drum some sense into her so she uses a little discretion.

 

[tugger]

Petrol is available waterside at SYH (the only waterside supplier from Tollesbury to Lowestoft AFAIK)...but beware the price, use it as an emergency supply if you really can't get any from a roadside pump.

 

[BAtoo]

I'm not sure SYH still do petrol - call them first.
Otherwise fill up enroute & then Foxes will be your nearest walk - 400yds. Hitler wont be a problem if its only a top-up.
Nothing in the Backwaters. (far side of Walton on The Naze town)
Woodbridge - walk through town to the A12; about 2km.

 

[nortada]

Re Walton Backwaters, think Titchmarsh Marina still do petrol?
Re The Stour, unless things have changed you should be able to get petrol at Shotley Marina & over in Harwich but not sure how far you may have to walk in Harwich?

 

[PaulGooch]

Re Walton Backwaters, think Titchmarsh Marina still do petrol?
Re The Stour, unless things have changed you should be able to get petrol at Shotley Marina & over in Harwich but not sure how far you may have to walk in Harwich?

Pretty sure you can't get petrol at Shotley. The marina certainly don't sell it.

 

[Little Rascal]

Thanks guys.

Just discovered you can search google maps for petrol stations

I suppose I could do what Jim Brading and the Goblin did and anchor off Felixstowe docks and row ashore

Seems that the nearest to the water is Fox's but that means paying for the berth ie another £1.50 a litre for 10L If I'm at SYH I will just jump in the car. Halfpenny Pier looks like the best bet, about a miles walk either way though. Kirby Quay in the Backwaters is pretty close to a station but I couldn't stay there long enough


Problem I have is we use the engine so infrequently and don't really know what our range is. It's a wee 3.3hp Malta but the boat is light and skinny and rarely needs more than 1/2 throttle. I might just have to get a couple of extra cans for peace of mind...

Thanks for the input,
Jon

 

[sailorman]

Thanks guys.

Just discovered you can search google maps for petrol stations

I suppose I could do what Jim Brading and the Goblin did and anchor off Felixstowe docks and row ashore

Seems that the nearest to the water is Fox's but that means paying for the berth ie another £1.50 a litre for 10L If I'm at SYH I will just jump in the car. Halfpenny Pier looks like the best bet, about a miles walk either way though. Kirby Quay in the Backwaters is pretty close to a station but I couldn't stay there long enough


Problem I have is we use the engine so infrequently and don't really know what our range is. It's a wee 3.3hp Malta but the boat is light and skinny and rarely needs more than 1/2 throttle. I might just have to get a couple of extra cans for peace of mind...

Thanks for the input,
Jon

Fox`s would not charge esp if one was to visit the chandlery @ the same time .
we berth there they are not that mercenary

 

[Little Rascal]

Ooh good to know, thanks

 

[surekandoo]

Petrol sold at Bradwell Marina, if you get down that far.

 

[Bru]

Shell Orwell is right next to Fox's marina. Be warned though, the Manageress is a right little Hitler! She will only let you have a maximum of 10 litres even if you are walking from the Marina and not carrying the petrol in your car. I was even forbidden to have more than that amount of diesel despite different regulations applying to diesel. Currently trying to get the RYA and Shell management to drum some sense into her so she uses a little discretion.

It is not her fault and she it's not being a "little Hitler". She is doing her job.

Search previous threads on PBO and scuttlebutt for the full chapter and verse but the limits on sizes and types of customers are specified in the site licence tho dispense petroleum (which in this legal context includes diesel - don't argue, it just does!)

It is irrelevant whether you walk in or arrive by car.

Trading standards carry out regular test purchases with legal types of containers and/or excessive quantities and a compliance failure is a serious issue. Prosecution, suspension of licence and internal company display action are all likely outcomes

(if you want chapter and verse on the whys and wherefores I'll happily supply)

 

[sailorman]

It is not her fault and she it's not being a "little Hitler". She is doing her job.

Search previous threads on PBO and scuttlebutt for the full chapter and verse but the limits on sizes and types of customers are specified in the site licence tho dispense petroleum (which in this legal context includes diesel - don't argue, it just does!)

It is irrelevant whether you walk in or arrive by car.

Trading standards carry out regular test purchases with legal types of containers and/or excessive quantities and a compliance failure is a serious issue. Prosecution, suspension of licence and internal company display action are all likely outcomes

(if you want chapter and verse on the whys and wherefores I'll happily supply)

KK has written both to Suffolk CC & Shell HQ

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

It is not her fault and she it's not being a "little Hitler". She is doing her job.

Search previous threads on PBO and scuttlebutt for the full chapter and verse but the limits on sizes and types of customers are specified in the site licence tho dispense petroleum (which in this legal context includes diesel - don't argue, it just does!)

It is irrelevant whether you walk in or arrive by car.

Trading standards carry out regular test purchases with legal types of containers and/or excessive quantities and a compliance failure is a serious issue. Prosecution, suspension of licence and internal company display action are all likely outcomes

(if you want chapter and verse on the whys and wherefores I'll happily supply)

Suffolk Trading Standards, to whom I copied my letter of complaint to Shell requesting discretion, promptly replied stating that there are no restrictions in relation to diesel and that they would "have a word with her" (so I am arguing with you!)!
I appreciate that there are strict rules in relation to petrol and I was careful to mention that in my post.
I had seen your earlier posts on Scuttlebutt and realise that the Petroleum Regulations are a complicated nightmare. The irony of my situation was that having been refused service of "white" diesel in legal diesel containers, as per your posts, to be transported on a marina trolley direct to the yachts tank, I had no option but to go to a card operated self service station and subsequently illegally transport 30 litres of diesel in the back of my car.
A famous judge once commentated, " Laws are made for the guidance of wise men and the obedience of fools". I rest my case.

 

[Bru]

On the mobile at anchor in Orford haven so not minded to type lengthy reply until have laptop access! Good luck with it, if you can get it changed you'll b4 doing everybody a favour. Don't hold your breath though, I'll explain why in due course

 

[Bru]

Suffolk Trading Standards, to whom I copied my letter of complaint to Shell requesting discretion, promptly replied stating that there are no restrictions in relation to diesel and that they would "have a word with her" (so I am arguing with you!)!
I appreciate that there are strict rules in relation to petrol and I was careful to mention that in my post.
I had seen your earlier posts on Scuttlebutt and realise that the Petroleum Regulations are a complicated nightmare. The irony of my situation was that having been refused service of "white" diesel in legal diesel containers, as per your posts, to be transported on a marina trolley direct to the yachts tank, I had no option but to go to a card operated self service station and subsequently illegally transport 30 litres of diesel in the back of my car.
A famous judge once commentated, " Laws are made for the guidance of wise men and the obedience of fools". I rest my case.

Last to first ...

You broke no laws transporting 30 litres of diesel in the back of your car

In fact, you'd have broken no laws if it had been 30 litres of petrol!

Although if you'd parked your car in your drive with 30 litres of petrol in the boot that would be illegal

But not if it was diesel

The problem has nothing to do with the law, or any regulations deriving therefrom. It is entirely to do with the wording of the standard Licence to Dispense Petroluem Spirit

And whoever you spoke to at Suffolk Trading Standards clearly doesn't properly understand the issue or didn't properly understand the question. Then again, most people who work in garages don't properly understand it either and simply blindly follow the instructions they've been given

(In our case, that would mean refusing to dispense fuel into UN pattern jerry cans which are legal but against company rules because its impossible to differentiate them from NATO pattern cans without a locking pin from the tills. On that one, I DO use discretion - breaking company rules is one thing (worst they can do is sack me ), breaking the law is another thing altogether)

The licence is issued by the Petroleum Officer (an obscure entity appointed by the Home Office IIRC whose powers and authority are largely delegated to Trading Standards) and the wording therein used to be extremely variable

BP, Shell et al agreed a set of standard licence conditions which unfortunately do NOT differentiate between petrol and diesel. The conditions with regard to dispensing into containers simply state "fuel"

In theory, it would be possible to get the licence conditions varied on a site by site basis but it is unlikely any major such as BP or Shell are going to go to that amount of aggravation - the problems it caused are precisely why they argued for and agreed a set of standard conditions!

An even less likely scenario is getting the standard terms changed. I wouldn't rate the chances of that happening since the authorities have a real fear of private individuals being able to obtain large quantities of petrol and diesel easily, Petrol makes firebombs and diesel is a primary constituent of ANFO

The rules, for want of a better word, are stupid and unenforecable anyway. After all, the simple answer is to fill up a 20 litre container at one forecourt, then fill up another one at the next forecourt.