Transit moorings

[kingsebi]

In Italy they sometimes have transit moorings in the ports. I remember San Remo and Cagliari. Free of charge, no services and limited to three days if I remember correctly. My Italian friend even said every port was obliged to have one which obviously is not the case. I haven’t seen it in other countries. I wonder if this is a nautical tradition that got lost on the way?

To me it seems like a fair thing. In contrast to making everybody pay exorbitant mooring fees.

 

[jbweston]

That seems to be what happens on the English canals.

 

[ylop]

In Italy they sometimes have transit moorings in the ports. I remember San Remo and Cagliari. Free of charge, no services and limited to three days if I remember correctly. My Italian friend even said every port was obliged to have on which obviously is not the case. I haven’t seen it in other countries. I wonder if this is a nautical tradition that got lost on the way?

To me it seems like a fair thing. In contrast to making everybody pay exorbitant mooring fees.

They are rare but there are some in Scotland - the aim is to attract people to spend money in the local shops. It’s difficult to justify to your tax payers why you are providing subsidised parking for yachties from out-of-town. Sometimes they are provided by a particular hotel or restaurant for customer use. Even the most expensive pontoon berths aren’t usually that expensive here though (compared to the cost of ownership of the boat), there won’t be many people deciding to visit/not visit a location based on cost.

 

[kingsebi]

I understand the point of attracting people. I have seen restaurant quays and moorings in Greece too. I thought the origin of the transit mooring was to give the yachtsman a means of shelter in bad weather though. Independent of his wallet. Something from the days of camaraderie on the sea.

 

[ducked]

They are rare but there are some in Scotland - the aim is to attract people to spend money in the local shops. It’s difficult to justify to your tax payers why you are providing subsidised parking for yachties from out-of-town. Sometimes they are provided by a particular hotel or restaurant for customer use. Even the most expensive pontoon berths aren’t usually that expensive here though (compared to the cost of ownership of the boat), there won’t be many people deciding to visit/not visit a location based on cost.

Well, there'd probably be me, for one.

 

[ylop]

Well, there'd probably be me, for one.

Probably suggests you’ve never actually avoided a Scottish marina because of cost? i generally avoid marinas because I own a boat to go to quiet out of the way places BUT I do use them from time. It’s quite likely that anyone so frugal to avoid marinas or moorings for cost reasons is not going to be spending much in the local economy!

That seems to be what happens on the English canals.

You do have to pay the canal license though if you are “continuously cruising”.

I thought the origin of the transit mooring was to give the yachtsman a means of shelter in bad weather though. Independent of his wallet. Something from the days of camaraderie on the sea.

I suspect the origin of such facilities varies from place to place. I can imagine that if a marina was built in a location typically used for anchoring to avoid a storm that a planning rule might require some provision for this. Many of the small visitor pontoons here actually operate a not for use in bad weather policy - ie they are a convenience for getting ashore not to protect boats from storms.

 

[The Q]

All the broads authority moorings are effectively transit moorings ,
24 hours max mooring for most of the year, 48 hours during the winter.

 

[ducked]

All the broads authority moorings are effectively transit moorings ,
24 hours max mooring for most of the year, 48 hours during the winter.

In Scotland, "winter" is most of the year

 

[dunedin]

I understand the point of attracting people. I have seen restaurant quays and moorings in Greece too. I thought the origin of the transit mooring was to give the yachtsman a means of shelter in bad weather though. Independent of his wallet. Something from the days of camaraderie on the sea.

Surely if need to take shelter due to adverse weather a boat would either go into a harbour or anchor in a suitable spot.
Surely there would be no need for a competent skipper and boat to need a mooring when an anchor can be used.

 

[kingsebi]

Surely if need to take shelter due to adverse weather a boat would either go into a harbour or anchor in a suitable spot.
Surely there would be no need for a competent skipper and boat to need a mooring when an anchor can be used.

I agree with the anchor part. That’s what I do about 95% of the year. Still wondering about the origins of the transit dock. I know realize that I have made a mistake in terminology. With mooring I meant a (quayside) berth and not a mooring ball with chain. Maybe that generated confusion?

 

[dunedin]

I agree with the anchor part. That’s what I do about 95% of the year. Still wondering about the origins of the transit dock. I know realize that I have made a mistake in terminology. With mooring I meant a (quayside) berth and not a mooring ball with chain. Maybe that generated confusion?

Thanks for clarifying.
The concept of alongside berths provided free of charge in a harbour seem like a dream world, unlikely to be found nowadays except in the smallest places which have no formal harbour master to collect any fees.

 

[kingsebi]

Thanks for clarifying.
The concept of alongside berths provided free of charge in a harbour seem like a dream world, unlikely to be found nowadays except in the smallest places which have no formal harbour master to collect any fees.

You say nowadays meaning they existed in the past? As I wrote before in Italy they do exist. Not everywhere by far, but I have seen them in some places. No services and limited to three days. My thought was to provide free shelter in bad weather. I haven’t seen them in Greece, France or Spain.

 

[ducked]

Surely if need to take shelter due to adverse weather a boat would either go into a harbour or anchor in a suitable spot.
Surely there would be no need for a competent skipper and boat to need a mooring when an anchor can be used.

Seems reasonable to assume a mooring is more secure than anchoring, (though it will be an assumption) and to pay for the security and convenience. OTOH, just because its reasonable, doesn't mean I necessarily want to do it.

 

[kingsebi]

just because its reasonable, doesn't mean I necessarily want to do it.

Story of my life