Premier Marinas Sovereign Harbour.

[Thomaswal]

I was disappointed by the treatment I received at the Eastbourne marina this summer.

I had recently visited Sovereign Harbour twice in my cruising to and from the Solent.
On the first of these visits, I was less than impressed with the staff handling of the tiresome security key system and my impression was that they were not conversant with the hardware nor the correct way the registration of berth-holders was managed. For instance, my electronic key expired before my date of leaving the marina.
This and other factors left me deciding to avoid visiting again.

My second visit was necessitated by my dis-masting my boat in Pevensey bay, when I was obliged to motor to Eastbourne with most of my rig in the water.
The lock staff were helpful and gave me a double berth but I could get no assistance in recovering the mast and sail from the water beside the craft and when I had achieved this with help of another berth-holder, I was informed that when I had carted all the gear and mast to the open mast rack, that I would pay nearly six pounds a day to store these in this public area.

My overall impression was that, rather than being totally unconcerned at my plight, the marina office staff did not appreciate the situation and didn't know how to help me nor feel that it was any duty of theirs to offer any assistance.

 

[TonyBuckley]

An interesting first post! Hello lol.

Most marina staff are on minimum wage (or very close). Even the berthing masters/duty managers earn bugger all and can reach that position with little time and little training.

I am sure the staff were concerned, but have no experience in aiding you. They do their job and that is all that is required.

Of course there are exceptions - I know of some great people in marinas who do it just for the fun as they are semi retired.

 

[ex-Gladys]

Totally different from my first experience at Sovereign this summer.. Office staff helpful with us deliberating on leaving or not. Finished up spending 7 relaxing days there

 

[andy59]

If you have been dismasted does your insurance co not sort it all out ?

 

[Resolution]

I was disappointed by the treatment I received at the Eastbourne marina this summer.

I had recently visited Sovereign Harbour twice in my cruising to and from the Solent.
On the first of these visits, I was less than impressed with the staff handling of the tiresome security key system and my impression was that they were not conversant with the hardware nor the correct way the registration of berth-holders was managed. For instance, my electronic key expired before my date of leaving the marina.
This and other factors left me deciding to avoid visiting again.

My second visit was necessitated by my dis-masting my boat in Pevensey bay, when I was obliged to motor to Eastbourne with most of my rig in the water.
The lock staff were helpful and gave me a double berth but I could get no assistance in recovering the mast and sail from the water beside the craft and when I had achieved this with help of another berth-holder, I was informed that when I had carted all the gear and mast to the open mast rack, that I would pay nearly six pounds a day to store these in this public area.

My overall impression was that, rather than being totally unconcerned at my plight, the marina office staff did not appreciate the situation and didn't know how to help me nor feel that it was any duty of theirs to offer any assistance.

What kind of boat do you have?
How big was the mast?
Single-handing or with crew?

With regard to the second visit, IMHO the marina staff have no duty to help recover your mast (and indeed elfin safety rules might preclude their doing so), but should of course have been helpful to a customer. I would have expected them to refer you to a boatyard engineer or rigger, who , for a price, would have provided assistance. Maybe your timing was such that it was out of normal business hours?
Even so, there is normally someone the marina can suggest.
I cannot see why you should expect the mast rack to be free. Commercial marinas always charge for berths, for hardstanding and for storage ashore.
Sorry to be blunt, hope you resolved the repair in the end.

 

[dom]

What kind of boat do you have?
How big was the mast?
Single-handing or with crew?

With regard to the second visit, IMHO the marina staff have no duty to help recover your mast (and indeed elfin safety rules might preclude their doing so), but should of course have been helpful to a customer. I would have expected them to refer you to a boatyard engineer or rigger, who , for a price, would have provided assistance.

My sentiments exactly: then a few weeks back an elderly couple sailing a Dragonfly Trimaran ambivalence were adjusting their mast in Gosport Marina and lo-and-behold, it first teetered, then wobbled, then crashed into the adjoining vessel. I tried to help, but as you say far too unstable and dangerous to do anything other than stand safely back.

Quick call to the marina staff and down they came. Lines swiftly attached to the mast, which was before long swinging precariously in the air, with its foot primed to impale the helpful pullers should it break free from its half-bust tabernacle :hopeless:

No rigger, big risk, but somehow the mast came to rest on the linear section of the pontoon - thankfully no more damage

Praps the insurers had accidentally substituted their Rule Book with an eighteenth century elf and safety manual

 

[chinita]

Next time the OP's car breaks down he should have it towed to the nearest Premier Inn. The staff there will be pleased to store, and fix, it for him. Probably.

 

[Seajet]

Next time the OP's car breaks down he should have it towed to the nearest Premier Inn. The staff there will be pleased to store, and fix, it for him. Probably.

I know what you mean, but I think that analogy a little unfair; if on a neighbouring boat, or indeed marina staff, I'd help someone in that predicament - IF they had no handy crew - and I'd hope for the same if it happened to me.

elf 'n safety covers a multitude of bad attitudes; I once worked hard for free at a museum, and was unpopular with another member of staff for showing and explaining to the visitors various bits of the aeroplanes; the excuse for ' don't do that ' was ' elf n safety ' but in reality the berk saying that was just too lazy / ignorant to do the same themselves...

 

[pvb]

Visited Sovereign Harbour a couple of times this summer, and if anything found the staff even more helpful than on previous visits. I quite like the marina.

 

[Joker]

Don't like the marina, but the staff were friendly and helpful.

 

[PilotWolf]

Used it regularly in my old freelance job. Never had an issue with the staff, I think the only complaint as the cost of their laundry with tiny machines - so we simply sent it into town (12 people aboard usually).

Some of the apartment residents were a pain - continually complaining about engine noise and early hours arrivals and departures.

W.

 

[Seajet]

The same sort of people as those who move in near to a WWII airfield like Dunsfold - and many others - then moan about aeroplanes and try to get them banned...the alleged singer ' Sting ' being one of the worst of the type, moved near to Boscombe Down - one of the oldest and most important research airfields in the world - then mounted a campaign against aircraft noise - @X*$% !