Does your marina care about you?!

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

I am starting to question how much our marina cares about us and our boats. The picture I have attached is from a boat I encountered on Sunday morning when walking down to my boat. This poor guy sank at his slip. I saw the boat Saturday at 5:00 PM. My wife asked if I thought it was listing to starboard. After looking at it, I thought it was fine because while it had a slight list, it was still above the painted waterline. Apparently she was right to be concerned and we should have called someone.

But I question if that would have done anything based on my experience with the marina.

So I went down to the boat at 9:30 AM on Sunday (rainy day, just checking on my new battery charger). I saw this boat and immediately called the marina. I got a voice prompt that said to hit #2 for emergencies and left a message about the sinking boat. By 10:00 AM I got no response, so I called again and left another voice mail. I knew there was someone working at the gas dock and running the launch, so I called on the VHF. I told them about the boat. About 30 minutes later, two kids (a guy and a girl about 16-18 years old) came over and looked at it. (I did talk to someone at the dock that said they left a message at the same number about an hour before I got there)

At 1:30 PM, SeaTow showed up and started raising the boat. I went down to check it out and talked to the owner. He said he got a message on his machine that morning saying that his boat was in trouble. So your boat sinks at the slip and you get one message and no one does anything to try and save the boat.

I know they couldn't do too much for the boat but look at how it is twisting the dock and the stress it is putting on the other boat. They seemed content to let it take that boat down too.

This is not my first encounter with our marina and a sinking boat. Last year a center counsel fishing boat was sinking. It had filled with rain water until the scuppers were underwater. The boat was tilted pretty far back and water was about to start coming over the stern, which would like cause the rest of the boat to sink quickly there after. The outboard engine was 90% out of the water. Again some of us called the marina and this time we got a response that they had informed the owner but he was out of the country. (they got that from his outgoing voice mail message) But instead of doing anything about it, they continued to let the boat sink.

Some of us grabbed some plugs, buckets and hand balers. We plugged up the scuppers, baled and bucketed the water out and got the boat upright and dry.

The dock manager came over and yelled at us that we shouldn't have done anything and let the boat sink. He said that we could all be liable for stopping the boat from sinking and that if it went down again we would have to pay for it. We yelled back that he should just tow it to the travel lift and pull it so it doesn't sink. I also argued with him that letting it sink would cause a release of gas and oil to the environment and that the marina should be responsible for that cleanup since they knew the boat was sinking and did nothing to prevent it. That seemed to scare him into pulling the boat over to the travel lift and pulling out of the water. We never saw the boat owner again and suspected that he was pissed at the marina and just took his boat else where.

But is this reaction typical of marinas? Are they so scared of liability that they think it is better to let a boat sink then try and save the boat?

Here is the language from our "terms and conditions of license agreement"

In the event of an emergency during the licensee's absence, the licensor is authorized, but not obligated, to attempt to undertake appropriate measures to mitigate damage to the boat, other vessels or the licensor property. Should the licensor choose to attempt to mitigate damages to the boat, such services will be charge to the boat, its licensee and/or its owner.

I would think this would cover any liability concerns they would have. Some have suggested the marina would rather let the boat sink because they can then make money on the salvage and cleanup efforts. But this is a little to cynical for me.

 

[Snotter]

In the case of a documented boat, I would think that you would be guaranteed of financial reimburstment by filing a lean on the boat. Also, though I don't know the process, you could, perhaps, declare salvage. For little boats, and no simple way to declare a salvage or file a lien, I suspect you could be held liable.

My marina too, won't lift a finger even for simple things like replacing a snapped dock line, even if the boat is abraiding the finish of a neighboring boat. There are too many lawyers imho.

 

[Blitz]

Ditto here. The key here is to have friends at the dock that could or would help you when you are a way.

I learned long ago that if the cleat on the dock breaks, it's still your responsibility...

 

[Snotter]

The problem with this trend is that we are stuck with taking care of our neighbors boat when he/she isn't willing to do so.

 

[kpgraci]

As far as my marina caring about me... I get fairly regular emails from them alerting me of power and water interruptions, abnormal tide heights (from the Bonnet Carr'e spillway being open) and last week that an alligator was spotted in the marina! (also from the spillway being open) Makes me feel like they're looking out for me. The first time I got one from them I was afraid to open it for fear it would say "...there is a mast sticking out of the water in your slip, please come remove it."

I have to add, however, if I owned a marina on any business dealing with other peoples property, I'm sure it would be wise because of lawsuits to do nothing. That's the world we live in, unfortunately.

 

[Manureva]

dont know about all other marina, but at the bathurst marina they care a lot about our boat and there is always someone there to make sure the dock stay at their place and that no boat get damaged from any event, i feel that my marina here care a lot about my boat and my membership, then again it is a small place and we dont have people suing people for any kind of crap

 

[LuzSD]

We have someone in the office 7 days a week, until 5pm....except holidays. I don't particularly love our marina for other reasons then you are discussing but I agree that I would put as much if not MORE faith in my fellow dockmates than the marina.

It seems to me that your issue is as much the importants of being able to reach or contact someone in charge of the marina at any time, and they in turn do whatever necessary to contact the owner of any boat in trouble. They should have phone numbers and there should be multiple attempts to raise someone. The pictures are very disturbing....especially the dockline on the boat next door. Wow, I think I would have a very serious conversation with the marina management, this would not make me feel confident in them in the least.

 

[PrincessoftheLake]

Pikes Bay Marina Does!

I think Pike's Bay Marina does a great job. Someone is always on site-7 days a week in the office (including holidays) and a service guy is always around on Saturday until at least noon. The marina also has the kids that work the gas dock walk all the docks every day at least once looking for boats in trouble, loose dock lines, flapping biminis-you name it.
I even had an email from the marina manager last week saying that the biminii on my boat had come loose from the high winds and they tied it down for me. They will even check dinghys to make sure they are not sinking and will bail them if they are. I feel very lucky to have my boat in such a great place.

 

[Joe]

Our docks each have a monitor... usually a liveaboard... who keeps an eye on errant things such as this. When we had lots of liveaboards in the marina the monitoring was even better and everyone felt very secure. I've been able to call the marina office when I wanted them to check my boat for one reason or another and they have been more than happy to send the manager or maintenance down to take care of it.

I've always felt they cared about their tenant's boats, as do most marinas... the question is: What is their policy when a boat starts sinking?....

Maybe we should all ask our respective marina's management what that policy is... I know I will.

 

[higgs]

One nice thing about a yacht club is that if anything looks wrong with your boat, people know you and will go to great lengths to contact you and/or intervene. I have often gone aboard boats to close hatches, secure sail covers, etc. I am a bit worried about retying a boat, but if I see one banging on the dock, I will use one of my spare lines to secure it and call the owner.

 

[Tim R.]

Last fall, my Marina(DiMillos in Portland) bought a huge spool of 3/4" line and added extra lines to all unattendied boats during a storm. They did not even charge the owners for the line. And we have had nothing but great experiences from the entire staff in the time we have lived here.

Sunken boats at such a publically viewable marina/restaurant is very bad for business.

 

[kenn]

On the other hand, there's yacht clubs...

One nice thing about a yacht club is that if anything looks wrong with your boat, people know you and will go to great lengths to contact you and/or intervene. I have often gone aboard boats to close hatches, secure sail covers, etc. I am a bit worried about retying a boat, but if I see one banging on the dock, I will use one of my spare lines to secure it and call the owner.

Word.

We belong to a self-described "self-help" yacht club. It's a big club, with a strong sailing school, big club-house and staffed bar during the summer, but other than the bar, office manager, caterers and the occasional contractor, the membership provides all labour. The obligation is only 30 hr per year. Many people do more.

One of the biggest upsides is that we are a "can-do" outfit. We have the tools and manpower to tackle almost any issue, including a big pump on a dolly for emergency pumping. If something's wrong, we fix it, or we find someone who can. It's not perfect, but I have confidence that our boat is being watched-over.

There's a great racing program. We party alot too.

I realize that yacht clubs aren't everyone's choice... but if you're looking for a place that cares, and you are willing to do the same for others... can't beat a club.

(I haven't yet been to Olcott NY, but Oak Orchard was very nice )

 

[RAD]

I keep Free Spirit at a town owned marina that has security and they do walk the docks,now would they do something if they saw something wrong.....I make it my business to introduce myself to the newbies each season and the veteran's know me well and how to find me if need be. the dock also has a lot of seasoned boaters so we all look out for each other.
A few years back one windy spring Saturday there was a head sail that unfurled itself on the other side of the marina, at first I thought why would someone let out the sails in this wind although the boat was facing the wind, but 15 minutes later I walked down the dock to find a bunch of others looking and not a clue of what to do so I asked if any one knew the owner and go a no answer....I then went on board and furled the sail as best I could and took the sheets wound it around the sail and tied it off.......later in the season I happened to be back on that dock cause a friend ended up there and one of those onlookers told me that the owner was pissed that I went on his boat....go figure

 

[Joe Diver]

My marina, Harbor One, is one of three owned by the same company on the lake. We have someone in the office 7 days a week, and after hours there's a security guy who walks the docks. Nice guy, always walks up as I pull in and ask if I had a good sail. Few times he was close enough as I came in to grab lines and help me in.

I do wish we had a stronger community though. I'm thinking about joining the boat club next year and moving over there.

 

[higgs]

kenn

I have been to EYC and enjoyed your outside bar very much. We strolled over to Mimico YC for dinner and had a great time. You owe it to yourself to visit OYC. Food and drinks Wed - Sun and very friendly. If our docks are rough the town marina will honor one night reciprocity and if they are full we got protected spots to raft. We'll take care of you and even give you a lift up to Budways where you can get a 30 pack of Blue for under $25.

 

[KD3PC]

the marina does not care,
my old one even told me so..."there is a waiting list" to replace you as soon as you leave. I was a good customer, paid a year ahead, did not have a dog to poo on the docks, no little heathens running around untying stuff. Lost several high dollar hoses and fittings...no response from management, lights burned out at night, water and electric intermittent, etc

the slipmates could not be beat, and they really did care, but NOT the marina

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

Thanks for all of the response

I think one of the problems I am having is the new owners. The marina has changed hands since we started keeping boats here 5 years ago. I don't think the new owners are boat people, they just bought the marina as an investment.

When we first came here, there was nothing really around and the marina office was an office trailer. There were plans to construct a giant shopping area. Now there are a half dozen restaurants, some stores, a movie theater, etc. and 3 different condo buildings. The long term plan was to turn this into an economic center and the new owners bought on speculation (i think).

The first dock master was a great guy. Walked the dock with us and helped us pick a slip by telling us what the current and prevailing wind would be like. He gave me his cell number and had his personal boat in a slip a few down the dock. He had issues with the new owners and quit. He now runs one of the local yacht clubs but still keeps his boat at this marina.

We often joke that we (our dock) are the unwanted step child of the marina. The other docks are nice, clean and cost about $25 per foot more. Our dock is never cleaned by the marina, the bathrooms look like a bomb went off, sections of the dock are not attached to the pilings, and the only time we see anyone from the marina is when they do the weekly check for squatters.

Of the 100 or so slips, they are about 70% full. There are only 7 sailboats on the dock and the sailors are all really tight. We also hang out/party with some of the power boaters (about another 12 boats). The rest are mainly like the boat that sank, small power boats (under 25') used primarily for fishing. We really like all of the people at our dock and we love the location. There is a dog park next door that I can take the dink to with the dog and the sailing is great. With our old boat, I would motor for less then 10 minutes and then I could have the sails up, engine off and be sailing out of the river (taking a little longer in the new boat just because we are still getting the systems down, but generally we are sailing within 30 minutes of leaving the dock).

I looked into some of the yacht clubs around and most have a 10-15 year waiting list for slips. I don't see us going to a mooring.

The reason I post this was to see what other people's experiences have been with their marinas. I wanted to see if it might be better else where and I should try to find a different marina. Sounds like it is a mixed bag. Some people have really good experiences with their marinas and some have bad.

It's funny, I get emails every other week about events and mixers the marina is trying to do to make the marinas more fun to be around. Yet the only thing I really want them to do is check if my boat is sinking while I'm not there.

I think the easiest way to alleviate my concerns for the boat during the week is to sell all my dirt possessions and house and move onto the boat. If only I could convince my bride

 

[Old Skool Neil]

My marina is one of four privately owned by a family that also owns automobile dealerships. We are expertly managed with marina employees walking the docks around the clock, liveaboards strategically spread throughout the marina, call boxes on the docks with direct lines to the marina office and port police. I've seen the dockwalkers save a power boat from sinking and board other boats to secure/replace docklines and secure flogging sails. Anything they do like that includes a phone call to the owner.

There's a fuel and waste pumpout dock, oil disposal facility, daily maintenance and office staff. They host annual events such as a parking lot swap meet, clean marina seminars and auxiliary inspections. The ownership even hosts a massive BBQ in the summer including a hosted bar, live entertainment and extensive raffle, the top raffle prizes being one month's free slip rent. They usually give away 3 or 4 of those. The event emcee is one of the owners.

In six years I've had one rent increase of less than 3%. Although I have no direct knowledge, I bet they'd bounce our lawsuit happy listmate from Cleveland outta here in a heartbeat. It's also part of professional management.

 

[Tim R.]

I don't think the new owners are boat people, they just bought the marina as an investment.

LOL. You know how you make $1 million dollars in the boating industry? Start with $2 million!

 

[kenn]

You owe it to yourself to visit OYC. Food and drinks Wed - Sun and very friendly. If our docks are rough the town marina will honor one night reciprocity and if they are full we got protected spots to raft. We'll take care of you and even give you a lift up to Budways where you can get a 30 pack of Blue for under $25.

...OYC is now on our shortlist Thanks!