Pre-booking at MDL

[Cantata]

Anyone experienced booking a berth at Chatham ( and presumably other MDL locations eg Woolverstone) and being asked for payment at time of booking?
Basically they won’t hold the berth for you unless/until you pay.
Arose with my club, which as it has done for years asked in early June for a batch of berths for an annual Sept rally there, and was asked for the money even though we didn’t know who might go! So we told them some likely candidates, who were then pestered with invoices until we cancelled the lot.
And reportedly they will only issue a refund ‘at their discretion’ if you have to cancel.
Hey we’re in small boats, who knows what might happen between booking and the arrival date. Weather, illness, boat breakdowns, etc etc.
Not found any other East Coast marina, at all, doing this!

 

[Charlie Boy]

MDL seem to behave like a business going out of business

 

[Creek]

Had no issues with Woolverstone. Booked by phone a couple of days ahead and paid on arrival.

 

[Parabordi]

Anyone experienced booking a berth at Chatham ( and presumably other MDL locations eg Woolverstone) and being asked for payment at time of booking?
Basically they won’t hold the berth for you unless/until you pay.
Arose with my club, which as it has done for years asked in early June for a batch of berths for an annual Sept rally there, and was asked for the money even though we didn’t know who might go! So we told them some likely candidates, who were then pestered with invoices until we cancelled the lot.
And reportedly they will only issue a refund ‘at their discretion’ if you have to cancel.
Hey we’re in small boats, who knows what might happen between booking and the arrival date. Weather, illness, boat breakdowns, etc etc.
Not found any other East Coast marina, at all, doing this!

Yes had same thing, refused to pay up front and took chance. Its not as if there are not alternatives (most of which are £20 a night less and dont suffer frequent lock breakdowns)

 

[Concerto]

The MDL online booking is new this year and is still in the development stage. They have not got it right yet, so book by phone.

 

[MattS]

My home berth is Chatham, but discovered this trying to book into another MDL. Was equally put off by the apparent irreversible commitment so didn’t use the online system and chanced there being last minute availability.

Chatham has had spare berths for quite a while now - seems unlikely they’d struggle to find space if you just turned up or booked whilst en route to be honest!

I can’t help thinking it’s MDL being corporate and wanting to standardise across their estate, even though marinas like Chatham probably don’t see the same demand that e.g. their South coast marinas might. It does somewhat shout “we don’t really understand UK boating”.

 

[Greg2]

It has become quite common on the south coast apparently but it is very busy down there and when demand is high ‘no shows’ must be very frustrating.

We always rings and cancel when we can’t make something (visitors moorings, meals in pubs/restaurants etc) and without fail those we call are both surprised and very appreciative because apparently many folk are inconsiderate and just don’t turn up. Just common courtesy to cancel if circumstances change in our book but I guess times have changed .
.

 

[SaltIre]

Do you know how to anchor? It's free in many places and you don't need to reserve a place.

 

[Dee Bee]

I did book online for Chatham having rung them and getting an email instructing me to book. It was the week before the bank holiday and I was concerned that we might turn up and be turned away as it was our first time in The Medway. I was really shocked to find that the deposit was not returnable even with notice but only tradeable for another date.

 

[MattS]

Although not quite as convenient to get into, or as conveniently located, hopefully the new independent owners of Gillingham Marina might breathe a bit of fresh competition into the Medway scene!

 

[Malish]

Competition ... that'll be the day. pretty sure when Chatham Marina opened Gillingham's prices went up. If the current commercial dock turns into another marina then surplus capacity may assist market forces do their thing but I doubt it..

 

[MattS]

Competition ... that'll be the day. pretty sure when Chatham Marina opened Gillingham's prices went up. If the current commercial dock turns into another marina then surplus capacity may assist market forces do their thing but I doubt it..

I know you're right really, but trying to remain an optimist about these things

 

[PetiteFleur]

We went into Chatham earlier this year, just turned up and got a berth - no problem at all.

 

[oldgit]

Do you know how to anchor? It's free in many places and you don't need to reserve a place.

Blimey you must have some long shorepower leads and good night sight to get you back to the boat after a decent night out out in the nearest resturant or pub .
Or is it Frey Bentos and the tin opener again tonight
Our club Xmas cruise in December (10-15 boats) is usually to Chatham MDL. 3 nautical miles 10 waypoints.
Will suggest that we go to Stangate this year instead
Be interesting to see if MDL ask for a deposit this year.

 

[tony_lavelle]

Blimey you must have some long shorepower leads and good night sight to get you back to the boat after a decent night out out in the nearest resturant or pub .
Or is it Frey Bentos and the tin opener again tonight
Our club Xmas cruise in December (10-15 boats) is usually to Chatham MDL. 3 nautical miles 10 waypoints.
Will suggest that we go to Stangate this year instead
Be interesting to see if MDL ask for a deposit this year.

Just checked with MDL. It's not just a deposit they are asking for. Each boat on the advance booking is individually invoiced and the booking is cancelled if full payment is not received within 48 hours. No refunds but dates may be changed at the manager's discretion given enough notice. This is scandalous so I have posted the news on the MSBA website, www.msba.org.uk

 

[Dee Bee]

You are right. You get an email saying just that when you book.

 

[Parabordi]

Just checked with MDL. It's not just a deposit they are asking for. Each boat on the advance booking is individually invoiced and the booking is cancelled if full payment is not received within 48 hours. No refunds but dates may be changed at the manager's discretion given enough notice. This is scandalous so I have posted the news on the MSBA website.

yes that's right, so I book within 48hours and don't pay until i get there

 

[Dee Bee]

There did seem to be loads of spaces so I doubt if you would struggle to get a berth and a berth owner told us it was very quiet this year.

 

[tony_lavelle]

yes that's right, so I book within 48hours and don't pay until i get there

Probably no problem for individual boats, you can just turn up. But for groups and clubs who normally book many months in advance this is a complete deterrent

 

[Oceanracing]

Nothing stops you turning up on the day or phoning through to book a space but you gamble one not being available, at least if you book and pay in advance you garantee a berth and can plan your day. Its just another choice.