Barda gets shouted at...

[Steve Vyse]

For the past 6 or 7 years, when the wind has some south in it we have popped alongside the south side of the canal to run a brush under our boats, first with Juvenile Delinquent and later with Barda. A few weeks back we we a couple of minutes away from finishing our scrub when a chap from Port Security starts bellowing at us. He scuttles down the key shouting about health and safety infringements, putting the port at risk and generally going purple in the face. His bellowing was so loud that those on the North side could hear every word, even after I asked him to calm down.

Anyway long story short, the port has personally spelled out to me in a letter and also to the club in general through the website that such activities have to stop. My point is that I fully understand and yes I'll stay off the South side from now on, but has anybody else come up against rude and aggressive behaviour from port security? I'm not some scallywag trying to thieve timber, I'm a boat owner who pays a not insignificant amount of money in dues in each year who I think deserves to be treated in a civil manner (and to be clear the lock keepers are a great bunch).

Should I write a letter back to the port naming the security character involved or should I just let the matter lie?

[markys]

More revenue for the club...............you will have to use the club hoist for a pre series scrub or get an aqualung but I hear thats agaist the port rules as well so dont let your bubbles come to the surface? Mind you you would need your jabs before doing it anyway. So Hoist it is then!
I suppose this is an obvious question but you clearly didnt know you were breaking some port rule but have you checked to see if there is a rule to cover it anyway that could be understood by us mere mortals to exclude your "scrubbing" activety?
With regard to his manner, I assume you were quite surprised and apologetic initially not knowing that you were doing something wrong? So what triggered his shouting? If he started the exchange in this way then I think you should write back to the Port and complain about it. Whats the expression, two wrongs dont make a right? There is NO excuse for his bad manners.

[Will Thornton]

I think this is an ongoing issue - a letter was sent to the club recently which was displayed on the web site specifically asking people not to do this, so maybe the Port representative was a little frustrated with your cheeky scrubbing !!

Anyway, the less scrubbing you can do means the easier it will be to thrash you on the next race  

[Will Thornton]

Here it is - from Mr Seaman the harbour master


http://www.sussexyachtclub.org.uk/index ... ws-in-2010

Shoreham Port Wharves

We have received the following communication from Julian Seaman, Harbour Master, Shoreham Port.
Re: Shoreham Port Terminals & Wharves.

It has been brought to my attention over the last few weeks that a number of leisure vessels are mooring on our terminals for short lengths of time, fishing and scrubbing their hulls.

This clearly is not acceptable, and I would like to remind all harbour users that this land is privately owned. More importantly it also poses a Health & Safety concern as it does not fall within the Ports Safety Management System of Safe access on our terminals and wharves. It also causes a problem should our Harbour Radio staff need to re direct a commercial vessel to a berth that a vessel has no permission to be moored on, which they would otherwise be unaware of.

I would like to remind all harbour users that prior consent is required from the Harbour Master before any vessel can be allocated a berth or tie up alongside our terminals and wharves, even if it is just for a short while.

Should you have any further questions regarding this matter, please contact our Marine Operations Department on 01273 598100.

We thank you in advance for your co-operation in this matter.

Yours sincerely,

J P Seaman

Harbour Master