Wi Fi in Malta Marinas?

Richard10002

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Anybody know which marinas have wifi access points on a PAYG basis, (from the boat, rather than in a restaurant etc.).

I'm guessing this may be a big factor in choosing a winter marina, as well as availability and cost I suppose. The ability to use Skype has quite a lot of value when you compare 1.2p per minute with 26p per minute on a mobile.

many Thanks

Richard
 

charles_reed

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Last winter Black Pearl had a WLAN covering pontoons O-M and the Customs Quay in Msida.
There was a "payment", which was convertible for booze in their bar so was really cost-neutral.

I was down on pontoon I last year so was out of range even with a booster.

However the cost of ADSL/Ethernet internet connection in Sliema was so low (about UK £0.005/min), that I used that with its attendant lack of security risks.

Unfortunately, Msida is very much in demand because of its prices (€100/month for 10m, Oct 1 to April 30), so your chances of getting in are low.

No pre-booking, you need to be there to get a place.

Don't know about the other marinas, except that there were one or two refugees arrived from Grand Harbour, who couldn't stand the boredom there.
 

Richard10002

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[ QUOTE ]
However the cost of ADSL/Ethernet internet connection in Sliema was so low (about UK £0.005/min), that I used that with its attendant lack of security risks.

Unfortunately, Msida is very much in demand because of its prices (€100/month for 10m, Oct 1 to April 30), so your chances of getting in are low.

No pre-booking, you need to be there to get a place.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for the heads up Charles - my information, (from people there last year), was that people arriving at this time of year usually had to swap marinas every few days as berths came and went, and nothing was available for winter until around November:

So do you mean you have to be actually in a berth in the marina now, and stay there until Oct 1 to get one for the winter?

I could be there in a couple of days, pay up to the end of September, if it meant getting a berth, (13.2m) - what do you think?

or is it a game of musical chairs, and whoever is in the berths at the time gets them.

On the ADSL - do you mean you actually get a phone line connected on the pontoon?

Thanks again
 

philfin

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If its of any help, I know that Msida marina is a Vodaphone WIFI hotspot. Not sure of the tarriffs but you can pay as you go and all from your boat.
 

philfin

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Oh, I see what you mean. Does seem a bit pricey. I wonder if they do a month deal? Might be worth inquiring.

Regards
 

philfin

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WRT to getting a place in Msida, it is all very hit and miss but there is no doubt that the best bet is to be there really anytime form now since most of the Italian holiday mob will have left. Then be as accommodating as you can with the marina staff, don't kick up or moan too much and, then just don't leave and you will be alright.

Good Luck
 

richardwatson

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When I was there last year, the Vodafone wi-fi signal in Msida creek was very weak and kept tripping out, just after taking my credit card transaction, funnily enough. The Black Pearl started a network, as previously mentioned, and also the restaurant next to it, the name of which I forget, but its free. Manoel Island Marina were charging handsomely for their wi-fi and their marina charges are more than double Msida Creek. There are plenty of cheap internet cafes along the front in Sliema.
 

charles_reed

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<<Thanks for the heads up Charles - my information, (from people there last year), was that people arriving at this time of year usually had to swap marinas every few days as berths came and went, and nothing was available for winter until around November:>>

Perhaps true for boats in the larger sizes , though moving marinas is seldom necessary. Mine is under 10m and that makes for much easier berth-finding.
Local boats start being lifted out and stored ashore from about 2nd week in October onwards - it's a somewhat pessimistic picture that nothing is available till November, though you might have to swap a couple of times it shouldn't be a problem if you don't need to leave the boat.


<<So do you mean you have to be actually in a berth in the marina now, and stay there until Oct 1 to get one for the winter?>>

You're unlikely to be considered unless you're there in person, trying to book over the internet or telephone is unproductive unless you are known.
I seldom arrive before November and usually go straight into my berth for the winter.
One major advantage is that my boat is under 10m, no problem finding berths at that size, whereas >11m berths are oversubscribed everywhere in the Med.

<<I could be there in a couple of days, pay up to the end of September, if it meant getting a berth, (13.2m) - what do you think?>>

Certainly worth a try, but unless you NEED to be there before 01 Oct, not worth the hassle.

<<or is it a game of musical chairs, and whoever is in the berths at the time gets them.>>

Well, possession is 9/10 of the battle in the eyes of the law. Try speaking with Chris Schembri the berthingmaster for Malta Maritime Authority, who operate the Msida complex. They are far less expensive than any of the private marinas and therefore their berths tend to be at a high demand.
e-mail chrisschembri@mma.ma
phone +35621330975
mobile +35699473106 Text him he's reasonably proficient

<<On the ADSL - do you mean you actually get a phone line connected on the pontoon? >>

Negative - I go along to a internet cafe just past the Sliema Hotel on he Strand in Sliema (Think it's called the CyberSurf), they charge £M5 for 400 mins, offer either WPA encrypted WLAN or 10/100/1000 ethernet (best). Short times are relatively expensive, longer even mor economical. When not busy the connection offers 8.5Mb down and 0.78Mb up, moe than fast enough for surfing and OK for serious stuff. Karl is a good techie and his site is better organised and cheaper than most others, I usually take my laptop along and just plug in,my use is about 180-300mins/month including Skype.
 

Richard10002

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Had a look at Go Mobile... with a contract, you can get 5Gb per month for 45 euros, which doesnt seem bad if I were to stay for a year or so and do summer cruises.
 

Richard10002

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[ QUOTE ]
e-mail chrisschembri@mma.ma
phone +35621330975
mobile +35699473106 Text him he's reasonably proficient


[/ QUOTE ]

e.mailed - we'll see what happens. I'll head over there early/mid September if I get no joy.

Are there a selection of anchorages in Malta/Gozo with protection from a variety of wind directions, just in case I have to sit tight for a while - dont mind a bit of swell.
 
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