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Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
So you think MDL are a bunch of shysters, do you? Try Botafoch marina in Ibiza described in the pilot book as having 'pleasant english speaking staff'. We recently experienced engine electrical problems and had to limp into the marina on one dodgy engine and not enough battery juice to operate the bowthruster. After virtually having to beg on the VHF, they grudgingly allocated us a berth but refused to send out a dory to help us into it. Thanks to some heroic boathandling on my part (if I say so myself) and SWMBO putting her body on the line as an extra fender (that cost me a €60 lobster and several hundred brownie points), we managed to get in ourselves
The next day was spent in a forlorn search for a vaguely competent engineer. About 2 o'clock, we received a visit from one of the 'pleasant english speaking staff' to inform us that we had to leave the berth immediately. I pointed out that we had engine problems, were waiting for an engineer and we needed the berth for another night at least. But you cant have it, I was told. Why not, said I. Because you have'nt followed the rules came the reply. What rules say I. The rules that say you must telephone the office at 9.00am every morning to go on a waiting list for a berth that night. But you didnt tell us that, I say. That does'nt matter came the reply and if you are'nt out of the berth in 30mins, we'll tow you out. But we have only one engine, surely you can make an exception. No, we cant. End of conversation
Bugger me if a dory didnt turn up a while later mob handed with marineros who proceeded to tie a line to our boat and towed us out of the harbour. Luckily, there was a half decent anchorage outside where we had to reside for 2 days waiting for an engineer
And the price for this service? A cool €187 per night for a 46 footer. Thats £129 per night in Sterling
Oh and when the engineer finally arrived, he didnt fix the problem, unnecessarily changed the engine starter battery and charged me €480 (£330). Cash only, of course
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The next day was spent in a forlorn search for a vaguely competent engineer. About 2 o'clock, we received a visit from one of the 'pleasant english speaking staff' to inform us that we had to leave the berth immediately. I pointed out that we had engine problems, were waiting for an engineer and we needed the berth for another night at least. But you cant have it, I was told. Why not, said I. Because you have'nt followed the rules came the reply. What rules say I. The rules that say you must telephone the office at 9.00am every morning to go on a waiting list for a berth that night. But you didnt tell us that, I say. That does'nt matter came the reply and if you are'nt out of the berth in 30mins, we'll tow you out. But we have only one engine, surely you can make an exception. No, we cant. End of conversation
Bugger me if a dory didnt turn up a while later mob handed with marineros who proceeded to tie a line to our boat and towed us out of the harbour. Luckily, there was a half decent anchorage outside where we had to reside for 2 days waiting for an engineer
And the price for this service? A cool €187 per night for a 46 footer. Thats £129 per night in Sterling
Oh and when the engineer finally arrived, he didnt fix the problem, unnecessarily changed the engine starter battery and charged me €480 (£330). Cash only, of course
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