West Mersea Visitor Moorings

[Dave 71]

Made me first visit to West Mersea by boat on Tuesday. I had expected YC-1 to come over and collect a mooring fee at some point, but he didn't. To be fair he did seem very busy, was being called here there and everywhere and even assisting a departing boat back to its mooring with engine problems at one point. I expect he was glad to knock off.

Anyway, I'd like to pay but have no idea who to contact, apart from perhaps ringing WMYC or the launch later.

PS - it was very lumpy coming round the Nass Beacon which surprised me given how calm a day it was and actually made it a little tricky to spot the buoys coming in - just for my edification, what might have caused it to be so?

 

[tillergirl]

YC1 t'was a bit busy that afternoon. He was about to come and collect Gladys and me (from the longest afar mooring) and loadsa members as well as though it was a Saturday; and with all the chuggers out as well, just then a member was adrift with engine trouble. Glads wanted to be ashore de bon heure so he could go racing at 'arwich in the evening but the delay ruined that. So I would forget about it.

For you edification it is the east wind - oh the east wind. It barrows in and lumps up (I hope your are aware of these nautical terms ). Nothing wrong with the channel in terms of depths but the channel bottom is enormously uneven hence the tide and wind in harmony from the east doesn't like it.

 

[Dave 71]

Ah, have now called the YC and paid. My wife was most insistent that we were honest, which is quite right.

Thank you for the edification - I did wonder about the east wind causing it to barrow and lump on the knobbly bits, I'm more used to easterlies lumping the outer Crouch on the ebb. Surprising though, as they were light winds.

I assume I saw much the same barrowing and lumping out by the knoll on the way back to the Crouch on Wednesday morning. It was a bouncy ride until I got to the Swallowtail channel.

 

[tillergirl]

When Gladys and I go out to survey we always hope for no easterlies. Over the banks we can see an easterly swell overlaid with those steep little waves. No trouble to sail or motor but to collect accurate data can be really troublesome.

Gosh! you called the YC! Well done.

Did we pass you at the Spitway yesterday? Unfortunately I didn't have my camera out.

 

[dunedin]

Ah, have now called the YC and paid. My wife was most insistent that we were honest, which is quite right.

…..

Well done to you and your wife.
In Scotland most visitor moorings rely on an honesty system, but some southern visitors seem to think if nobody comes they can get free parking, which is pure dishonesty and a disgrace to other yachties (so good to hear of your approach).
Most places nowadays have bank details somewhere online - but in the past we carried envelopes and stamps and if unable to get ashore to the honesty box we would put cash in an envelope and post from the next port.

 

[RivalRedwing]

Well done to you and your wife.
In Scotland most visitor moorings rely on an honesty system, but some southern visitors seem to think if nobody comes they can get free parking, which is pure dishonesty and a disgrace to other yachties (so good to hear of your approach).
Most places nowadays have bank details somewhere online - but in the past we carried envelopes and stamps and if unable to get ashore to the honesty box we would put cash in an envelope and post from the next port.

I hesitate to say it but the likes of HMRC might enquire about the audit trail for the income received - is anyone issuing receipts...? These days direct online payment and receipting seems the best route forward (assuming you can get a mobile signal!)

 

[dunedin]

I hesitate to say it but the likes of HMRC might enquire about the audit trail for the income received - is anyone issuing receipts...? These days direct online payment and receipting seems the best route forward (assuming you can get a mobile signal!)

Receipts are not possible for honesty box systems with zero staff. The income from many Scottish visitor moorings is very small and often doesn't even cover costs. But very valuable service to boat cruisers - and helps generate some tourism income in remote communities.

 

[Dave 71]

When Gladys and I go out to survey we always hope for no easterlies. Over the banks we can see an easterly swell overlaid with those steep little waves. No trouble to sail or motor but to collect accurate data can be really troublesome.

Gosh! you called the YC! Well done.

Did we pass you at the Spitway yesterday? Unfortunately I didn't have my camera out.

I don't think so, I crossed about half 11, there was another sailing boat heading for the Crouch that crossed about 20 minutes before me. Interestingly, he seemed to take a line west of the safe water buoys, certainly a lot further west than my route, using your CTTE waypoints, although I did 'cut the corner' and make more directly for the Swin buoy once I could see there was plenty of water.

Looking forward to seeing the results of your latest survey. It will be a trifle disappointing if it's got shallower!

 

[tillergirl]

Yes, we were there at 11:30 but we were over to the east at that time. See the new chartlet at: Downloads. Second item down.