Queenborough Visitor Moorings

Habebty

Habebty

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
4,534
Location
Norfolk/Suffolk
Visit site
As I sit here on a mooring at Queenborough enjoying a Mojito in the tropical evening sunshine (well squally rain actually) I notice that a lot of the empty moorings which are quite close to each other, are now just below the surface as the ebb runs, so take care if turning up in the dark ( or even at day)not to run one over.
 
Yes, that outer row on the east side is distinctly dodgy, isn't it. Noticed those last week although when we came by it was at the top of a big tide so I thought maybe they'd be ok at other times. Obviously not!
 
The moorings have suffered over the years from the dead hand of the local Council. Now that the new Harbour Trust is in control we have to give them a chance, they're not flush with funds to put it all right yet.
On the plus side, I believe the mooring fee will include a trip ashore if you ask nicely.
 
Cantata said:
The moorings have suffered over the years from the dead hand of the local Council. Now that the new Harbour Trust is in control we have to give them a chance, they're not flush with funds to put it all right yet.
On the plus side, I believe the mooring fee will include a trip ashore if you ask nicely.
Click to expand...

When we moored there before our trip up to St Kat's last month a nice chap came along in a RIB and asked if we wanted to go ashore. This was even before we had paid the man who came round later for the money.
 
When we moored there we rowed ashore in our dinghy. The guys in the boat next to ours went ashore in their dinghy with an outboard. The thieving barstewards preferred the dinghy with the outboard. We were told that it's not unusual to have your dinghy stolen at Queenborough! :mad:
 
When was this? There used to be constant trouble there but I've not heard of any for quite a while now. The new Trust is determined to make the moorings a success after the years of rubbish management by the Council and security concerns are a part of that.
 
Cantata said:
The moorings have suffered over the years from the dead hand of the local Council. Now that the new Harbour Trust is in control we have to give them a chance, they're not flush with funds to put it all right yet.
On the plus side, I believe the mooring fee will include a trip ashore if you ask nicely.
Click to expand...

Shortly after we had tied up (and paid) a chap did pass by and ask if we wanted a lift ashore, at the time I assumed that cash would have to be presented as previously but from what you say that may not be the case. We had no intention of going ashore on this occasion but it is a pity that the boat that lightened us of a tenner didn't mention that a free lift was available as I'm sure that would make a visit to Q'borough more attractive for many people (including us, assuming that a return lift was available until at least mid-evening).

I wish the trust well, hope they make a success of it.
 
Last edited:
Cantata said:
When was this? There used to be constant trouble there but I've not heard of any for quite a while now. The new Trust is determined to make the moorings a success after the years of rubbish management by the Council and security concerns are a part of that.
Click to expand...

It was early last year. I certainly wish the new trust all the best for their management plans as Queenborough is a really good place to moor, especially if you're waiting for the right tide for the Thames.
 
I had a good stay at Queenborough recently. Some mooring buoys do get submerged when the tide is running fast and the lines attached are definitely short. The harbour master boat will assist with mooring if you are there when they are and a free trot boat runs Saturday nights at least, probably more but not the Sunday and Monday nights when I was there. Unfortunately the fee is still £10 whether it is running or not.
 
It's been some years since I last visited Queenborough, and when I went ashore I wondered why I had.
Has it improved much and should I add it back on my itinerary?
 
Eddie.johnson said:
The future of the yacht club is in doubt following a meeting of Queenborough Yacht Club. They have decided not to allow Queenborough Harbour Trust the management of the All Tide Landing, this makes the running of the mooring services unviable.

It is probable that Queenborough Harbour Trust will have to sell the mooring services, though if this happens it is doubtful the free trot boat service will be available next season and the services will decline further.

I along with the other members of QHT am disappointed that QYC have decided not to allow QHT to at least try and make the harbour into a better place to visit and moor.
Click to expand...

Eddie - Have I read this properly.....is it the future of QYC that is in doubt or the harbour trust or ATL itself?

Either way sad news for the locals, the town and anyone that needs to stop off for tide time to London. I (did/used to/hopefully still will) look forward to a Leffe in the Flying D without blowing the tender up!
 
Queenborough Harbour

Sorry What I meant was the future of Queenborough Harbour Trust! Sorry for the mistake.

Following a meeting by the Trust it was decided that the Trust will continue to run the mooring services, though the trust will not be running or maintaining the All Tide Landing.

At least until April the visitor’s moorings will be free to visitors. The trust has also decided to continue with the development of a new harbour look-out at Crundell's Wharf to improve the security of the harbour.

The Trust will continue to plan and implement improvements that will benefit mooring holders and visitors.

However a water taxi service for next year (especially a free one) is in the balance. The Trust would not be in a situation to pay the wages of a trot boat crew, fuel and possibly pay for using the ATL.

All that said we are hopeful that all of these problems will be resolved before next season, and a better all-round service will be on offer.

We are continually looking for volunteers who would like to see Queenborough grow into a harbour that continually strives to cater for all harbour users, and becomes a friendly and welcoming port of call.

Again I would like to apologise for saying QYC were in any way close to failing, QYC has over the last couple of seasons become a very busy club and opens throughout the year on Friday and Saturday evenings as well as Sunday lunchtimes, and as far as I know will continue to do so.
 
Last edited:
Eddie, does this mean that QYC have secured funding to maintain the ATL to the extent that they think it will be a real asset to them? Huge potential expense, surely.
 
No QYC have not secured funding.

They had four alternatives,

Sell the ATL to QHT for a nominal sum
Lease the ATL to the QHT
Sell the ATL to a commercial company
Keep total control of the ATL

QYC have chosen to keep full control of the ATL.

Though this means a change to the QHT business plan for the develoment of the harbour, the members of the trust are still committed to improving the harbour.

It is hoped that QHT will be able to reach an agreement in the future with QYC regarding the development of the ATL, however QHT are unable to seek funding for an asset it doesn't control.
 
I would like to up-date everyone on the state of Queenborough Harbour. Queenborough Harbour Trust has employed a new Harbour deckhand who will be working Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, though he will also work Thursdays when busy. He will work from 08.00 until 10.00 and from 16.00 until 22.00.

The visitor fees have gone up to £12.00 but the trot boat operation is free to all visitors and mooring holders. He can be contacted by calling 01795 662051 or calling on Channel 08 call sign Sheppey 1.

The Temporary Harbour Look-out is now in operation at the end of the ATL on Crundells wharf. We are hoping volunteers will like to help us man the look-out which improves the security of the harbour and safety of the boats.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Queenborough-Harbour-Trust/113577585430643?ref=hl

http://www.queenborough-harbour.co.uk/
 
Last edited:
Good news, Eddie, and well done the QHT. I hope lots of people take advantage of this and show the good folk of Q'boro (and there are MANY good folk in Q'boro despite occasional bad press regarding a tiny minority) what an asset to the town a properly managed moorings business can be.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top