Practical Admin for liveaboards

[merlin]

While we've been living aboard away from home we had a relative who was able to handle all our UK paperwork. This is no longer the case so we wondered how other people handle all the boring paperwork that crops up throughout the year while they're away sailing.

The trouble is that a lot of it is important and some things are potentially of value, such as cheques received etc, or would really be a problem if not dealt with inside a few weeks.

Any help or ideas would be very welcome.

Thanks,

merlin

 

[Sea Devil]

Sister, brother, Mum Dad or in my case a nephew and trust in them.

 

[MedMan]

Everything goes to one of our daughters who opens it and sends us a Text Message followed up by an email if necessary. I can't imagine how we would cope without her help.

 

[Abigail]

We haven't quite got there yet so will be very interested in what you come up with.. Relatives are not an option for us, and we don't think it is fair to ask friends to make such a long term commitment. We are moving absolutely as much as possible onto the internet - eg banking, VAT returns etc.

There are several mail boix companes about with varying degrees of speciailisation and cost. Ship to Shore run a service specficially for sailors. We have been researching them for costs, services and reliability. As we see it, the biggest issue is that companies house expects your registered company address to be 'real' ie not a PO Box but for all other purposes a reliable company will do a good job.

 

[mainshiptom]

There is an opritunity for a small business !

Tom

 

[Anonymous]

While my key mail (banks, tax, etc.) goes to my sister I also have a mailbox with Mailboxes Etc (MBE) who have franchises around the country. I use the Weybridge branch and the owner and staff are very good - and go beyond the call of their contract at times. http://www.mbe.uk.com/index.asp

I chose a branch that we could call into when we visit family and friends to save having to pay for mail to be sent to us so often. You get a key to the shop as well as the mailbox so you can call in 24/365.

 

[Sea Devil]

Although it is a pain to have to wait the easy solution may be to have someone just send on your post - you can use DHL or Fedex once you leave close europe.

I know several US boats who do this - by using a courier you can be almost certain of delivery of a packet of letters - say once a month - in 3 to 4 days to a marina address or similar......

 

[rrees]

We get ours scanned and uploaded to a secure website as PDF documents which we view from any Cyber Cafe / Internet connection when down on the boat

This is a by product of the Company I run, at present our staff work from Home and we have found its the best way to deliver the migority of things to them. Only a few items are required to be posted on.

Do others think there is an opportunity to sell this as a service and if so what would be a resonable charge.

 

[lindsay]

Using family or friends for mail forwarding is free, presumably, but potentially has its problems. I have been with Citibox, a mailbox company in the London area for several years and have enjoyed impeccable service. It costs from memory around Pnds 225 per year and is well worth it.

www.citiboxcentre.com

 

[PlanB]

Have a look at www.shiptoshore.com - they've done the trip and now run a paid service for the rest of us.

 

[Anonymous]

That web site isn't giving any info at the moment - just some statement that they don't send spam and won't email people they don't know. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[oorwullie]

The Cruising Association at Limehouse in London offer members a mail holding and forwarding service.

 

[BrendanS]

Those businesses exist, though not many are willing to pay the costs?

 

[Carmel2]

Try a book-keeper.......just a thought.