Ramsgate Royal Harbour

Lucky Duck

Lucky Duck

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From the Needles to the Nab, from Cowes to St Kats
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I understand that they will now take advance bookings, on hearing this I was please to learn that they are now going to manage the marina rather than my previous experiences of visiting where people are usually left to find their own spaces.

However, thinking about this a bit more, given the lack of nearby alternatives I would hate for the place to end up like Yarmouth (IoW) with a 'harbour full' notice being displayed a peak times.
 
I'm the other way round, I like the way you can find a finger where you want it, in your own good time, and then at your convenience go up to the box and inform them what's occurring!
Apparently there is a nice tie-up on a disused ferry terminal if the marina won't have you..
 
For Yarmouth, you just have to know about Harold Hales Yard, to Starboard, just below the bridge, with alongside berthing before the rest of the harbour was remodelled and has always accepted bookings. Only downside is a short trek acoss the bridge to get to either facilities or the town.

Ramsgate has always been a shambles, and Ive been calling there since the early 70s when you rafted up alongside the harbour wall. Called in on passage from Sark to Harwich towards the end of last season, Port control very helpful and, unbeknown to us also acting as harbourmaster. Moored up and set off for a pint at the RTYC. Having escaped from the pontoon up onto the harbour wall, found the little office in the portacabin and their main office, just past the facilities, closed. Main office had a notice saying "If closed ring this no. or call Port Control on VHF." Tried phone, mobile on desk in closed offoce rings. Both VHF sets, of course, are on boat and we have no code to get back in. nor for facilities. Head for club to drown our sorrows. Fortunately, just before closing, a knowledgable member appears in the club, he doesnt know the number, but knows a man who does and sorts us out. Barmaid says this is regular occurrence, but they are unable to persuade the council to keep them aware of the codes so they can help resolve future occurrences, and so to bed.

In the morning, we need to leave at precisely the time the notice on the office says they open, to save our tide. Opening time comes and goes with us stood at the office. 15 mins late, when I was thinking they really deserve a sailaway, they open up and eventually get organised enough to take my money. I suggest they might organise things a bit better for customers arriving after office hours, answer to the effect that its not my job, just do what Im told. I suggest he might feedback to whoever does organise these things, answer that I can call the council if I want to make suggestions.

Such a shame, a usefully positioned port, a great yacht club, the town has been gradually improving over the past 40 years but those that run it seem to have no interest. Its not always as bad as that visit, but its never been good for me.
 
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It's one problem is that it's owned and run by Thanet District Council. Many of the staff are very good, very pleasant, and mean well, but like most things that any Council runs, the way the staff are treated means you get the kind of stuff you experienced, Peter.
 
They, in common with so many municipal enterprises, have not realised they time and tide do not have office hours. There are several other ports on either side of the channel which suffer similar problems.
But in my experience Ramsgate do achieve a superior level of user neglect.
 
I had to fix my own cleats to my berth this winter. As in go to the yard, unbolt some from another spare pontoon and fit where required next to our winter home!

The chap that helped sort it out was great and was quite good fun really. If you phone in advance during the day they'll give you the codes. The code on the outer harbour has been the same for long, there's not a lot of point having a gate.....
 
Cantata said:
It's one problem is that it's owned and run by Thanet District Council. Many of the staff are very good, very pleasant, and mean well, but like most things that any Council runs, the way the staff are treated means you get the kind of stuff you experienced, Peter.
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Fair point, but not alays true. Southwold and Brightlingsea IIRC are both local council owned and staffed - they don't seem to suffer from this syndrome.
 
xyachtdave said:
I had to fix my own cleats to my berth this winter. .
Click to expand...

Last time we went I had to re-bolt the cleats on our finger pontoon as they were loose and making so much noise that they would have kept us (and anyone around us) awake.
As it turned out we had a terrible night anyway - the swell was awful.
So far I've only been sea sick twice and both those times were while moored up - in Ramsgate.

I see that as part of a proposed development (see http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/Ramsgate-marina-port-plan/story-20052702-detail/story.html#axzz2q522FzjS)
that they may extend the breakwaters.

I hope this development happens as I really like Ramsgate, the town, the cafes and the walk to Broadstairs
and Ramsgate marina is such a convenient place to stop over.
 
The marina organisation is dreadful, certainly, but the entertainment is priceless. Watching the drunk/drugged local couples arguing and fighting on the West Pier is a unique experience.
.
 
pvb said:
The marina organisation is dreadful, certainly, but the entertainment is priceless. Watching the drunk/drugged local couples arguing and fighting on the West Pier is a unique experience.
.
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I quite often go to Ramsgate and have never seen anything like this stuff that people mention from time to time. I must lead a sheltered life. Or perhaps I turn in too early.
 
I also visit Ramsgate frequently and have never seen anything like that. In fact saw more drunken dockside arguing and fighting while in Ipswich Haven in August last year.
 
PeterWright said:
Fair point, but not alays true. Southwold and Brightlingsea IIRC are both local council owned and staffed - they don't seem to suffer from this syndrome.
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Indeed, and not only do they not suffer from it, in our experience they go well out of their way to be helpful, 2 of the most welcoming venues on the East Coast.
 
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