Dear all,
I hope the season brings you fun and festivities and the New Year bring you fair winds and good weather to clean your bottoms, and for the Mobos, a full tank of clean fuel.
Just a few notes about my latest chat with the Marina team:
1. Weather station web cam and broadband use. Tentative acceptance of a joint project and a meeting will be called early in the New Year.
2. Tyre barrier work has been completed for this year.
3. The water leak on shoreside is being staunched. Some way to go yet but improving.
4. Crane installation will require expensive civil engineering. Installation is still to proceed. Working methods will change for craning out.
5. Plans for replacing existing pontoons and installing new ones proceed.
6. Port Edgar Brochure is being set up and BHA has been offered advertising space.
7. Newsletter is being prepared and needs BHA input by end Jan 2010.
8. The Marina has agreed to collect subs for BHA in the same way as last time.
Regards
Frank Pullen (Bosun)
Tuesday, 22 December 2009
Thursday, 22 October 2009
Marina Fees:
BHA has negotiated size of fees for next year.
Wave Barrier:
The wave barrier is being repaired.
Dinghy Parking:
Free dinghy parking for juniors has been offered to PEYC.
Children’s behaviour:
Better advice about children’s behaviour is required. Marina to add an item in its next newsletter.
Weather station, webcam and WiFi:
Partnership proposed to install and fund.For further information on these headlines see the minutes of the last committee meeting in October.
Frank Pullen, Bosun
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
Murray and I had a meeting with Adam and Kenny on 18 Aug. Here are the topics and the sort of responses we received:
Tyre Barrier:
18 modules of tyres (135 make up the whole barrier) have so far been constructed by marina staff of the 40 needed for the centre section. It is expected to install the centre section at the beginning of September. A steel hawser has been run through the remainder of the barrier to prevent any further deterioration. The contract has been let for the remainder to be serviced.
Why has it taken so long to get something done? The contractors have not been able to start before now and there was also a contributing delay whilst negotiations on price and the amount of work to be done were tackled.
NB. Members are reminded that if their boats sustain damage due to the swell and attributable to the lack of the tyre barrier, they should report it to the Marina office and put in a claim for repair or replacement of damaged parts.
Pontoons:
Dredging for the new pontoons, to be installed near the new gangway, is due to start this week, probably. All the boats that need to be moved have been and the water under “Thumper” will be deep enough (4 metres). When that element of the dredging has been completed the new fingers will be installed.
Dredging:
Winter dredging will be undertaken and the current plan is to do around pontoons C and D as well as the main channels.
Further major work on the marina is dependent upon the funding available. That is a function of the revenue that can be generated, for instance by implementing more berths. The main factor against borrowing to fund major schemes may be attributable to security of tenure, after all it is hard to imagine that anyone would invest if there is not a reasonable payback period with some time to reap a return.
Crane:
The installation of a crane to the south-west of the loop shed, is still progressing and funding has been made available. A comprehensive structural survey is to be undertaken, probably this month, and after that the likely manufacturer of a suitable crane will be visited to ensure that what is available is thoroughly suitable and the contract will be let. Completion is expected to take just six months. It may require a new stance to be constructed to the West of the loop shed but that is still to be confirmed.
Planned Price Increases :
We made it clear that after the large increase of the last year coupled with the observed deterioration of the marina in that period, that berth holders would find it difficult to accept an increase greater than that of the rate of inflation. That point of view was accepted and would be forwarded to the Board but it is to be understood that the decision will be made by the Board of Edinburgh Leisure. Furthermore, as all berths are full it cannot be said that protests at prices has resulted in people withdrawing from the marina. Boats are still awaiting allocation of berths in the marina.
Other Discussions :
Adam advised us what work has been carried out recently. Considerable work has been done to the pontoon electrics with the installation of new cables. Maintenance of the pontoons has continued with many boards being replaced, the pontoon tethers to piles have been repaired. It is planned to recondition Thumper’s engines in the near future and funding has been set aside for that work. The changing rooms and toilets have been improved and a disabled facility installed. These may not be used by a great number of berth holders but it is a valuable contribution to facilities here, especially for visitors.
Funding from EL has been constrained this year to that essential for H&S and little else. This Service Implementation Plan will continue until further funds are made available.
The Marina Team is aiming to apply for Golden Anchor awards in the hope that improvements and the award will signal to the Board and the Council that this is a valuable facility for the city and may encourage improved funding.
Adam had contacted Forth Ports Authority to request a speed restriction on the river, whilst the tyre barrier is in its present state. This has been followed up by their notifying Grangemouth harbour management of the requirement. On a number of occasions Adam and Kenny have contacted FPA to complain of speeding ships, and requesting an investigation.
Adam has offered a free dinghy park to PEYC for junior dinghy sailors and has requested what management will be put in place for its management. This is a positive response to our input on the expensive dinghy parking here. A response is awaited. Adam will chase up.
Murray and I asked what PEMBHA can do to help convince the Board of Edinburgh Leisure and the Council that this valuable resource should receive investment to ensure a high quality marina for the Capital. There are two members of the EL Board who have boats in the marina. Furthermore it is believed that one Councillor has a boat here. We asked whether it would be productive to encourage more members to become involved and to be more sympathetic to the needs of the marina and to make further funding available or to change the basis on which EL has to work. How that is to be accomplished is still to be determined although informal discussion, to ascertain critical mass of opinion or other involvement, will continue.
Tyre Barrier:
18 modules of tyres (135 make up the whole barrier) have so far been constructed by marina staff of the 40 needed for the centre section. It is expected to install the centre section at the beginning of September. A steel hawser has been run through the remainder of the barrier to prevent any further deterioration. The contract has been let for the remainder to be serviced.
Why has it taken so long to get something done? The contractors have not been able to start before now and there was also a contributing delay whilst negotiations on price and the amount of work to be done were tackled.
NB. Members are reminded that if their boats sustain damage due to the swell and attributable to the lack of the tyre barrier, they should report it to the Marina office and put in a claim for repair or replacement of damaged parts.
Pontoons:
Dredging for the new pontoons, to be installed near the new gangway, is due to start this week, probably. All the boats that need to be moved have been and the water under “Thumper” will be deep enough (4 metres). When that element of the dredging has been completed the new fingers will be installed.
Dredging:
Winter dredging will be undertaken and the current plan is to do around pontoons C and D as well as the main channels.
Further major work on the marina is dependent upon the funding available. That is a function of the revenue that can be generated, for instance by implementing more berths. The main factor against borrowing to fund major schemes may be attributable to security of tenure, after all it is hard to imagine that anyone would invest if there is not a reasonable payback period with some time to reap a return.
Crane:
The installation of a crane to the south-west of the loop shed, is still progressing and funding has been made available. A comprehensive structural survey is to be undertaken, probably this month, and after that the likely manufacturer of a suitable crane will be visited to ensure that what is available is thoroughly suitable and the contract will be let. Completion is expected to take just six months. It may require a new stance to be constructed to the West of the loop shed but that is still to be confirmed.
Planned Price Increases :
We made it clear that after the large increase of the last year coupled with the observed deterioration of the marina in that period, that berth holders would find it difficult to accept an increase greater than that of the rate of inflation. That point of view was accepted and would be forwarded to the Board but it is to be understood that the decision will be made by the Board of Edinburgh Leisure. Furthermore, as all berths are full it cannot be said that protests at prices has resulted in people withdrawing from the marina. Boats are still awaiting allocation of berths in the marina.
Other Discussions :
Adam advised us what work has been carried out recently. Considerable work has been done to the pontoon electrics with the installation of new cables. Maintenance of the pontoons has continued with many boards being replaced, the pontoon tethers to piles have been repaired. It is planned to recondition Thumper’s engines in the near future and funding has been set aside for that work. The changing rooms and toilets have been improved and a disabled facility installed. These may not be used by a great number of berth holders but it is a valuable contribution to facilities here, especially for visitors.
Funding from EL has been constrained this year to that essential for H&S and little else. This Service Implementation Plan will continue until further funds are made available.
The Marina Team is aiming to apply for Golden Anchor awards in the hope that improvements and the award will signal to the Board and the Council that this is a valuable facility for the city and may encourage improved funding.
Adam had contacted Forth Ports Authority to request a speed restriction on the river, whilst the tyre barrier is in its present state. This has been followed up by their notifying Grangemouth harbour management of the requirement. On a number of occasions Adam and Kenny have contacted FPA to complain of speeding ships, and requesting an investigation.
Adam has offered a free dinghy park to PEYC for junior dinghy sailors and has requested what management will be put in place for its management. This is a positive response to our input on the expensive dinghy parking here. A response is awaited. Adam will chase up.
Murray and I asked what PEMBHA can do to help convince the Board of Edinburgh Leisure and the Council that this valuable resource should receive investment to ensure a high quality marina for the Capital. There are two members of the EL Board who have boats in the marina. Furthermore it is believed that one Councillor has a boat here. We asked whether it would be productive to encourage more members to become involved and to be more sympathetic to the needs of the marina and to make further funding available or to change the basis on which EL has to work. How that is to be accomplished is still to be determined although informal discussion, to ascertain critical mass of opinion or other involvement, will continue.
There is no doubt that PEMBHA is being listened to. However, the greater the number of berth holders joining the Association will add further weight to what is said and agreed. Please encourage others around you to join. After all, £3 is not too much to ask.
Lastly, there is a questionnaire available in PEYC and the marina office about marina facilities to be forwarded to the Tourism Resources Company. Any help/suggestions that we can offer there may be valuable so please do your best to get a copy and respond.
Frank Pullen - Bosun
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
I have caught up with Kenny and have asked him about the most obvious topics and below are his responses:
1. Tyre Barrier.
PEMBHA have had loads of emails and discussions on the topic and we are getting increasingly frustrated at the delay to get something done. Kenny has told me of the programme for the tyre barrier repair. Having purchased all the chains, shackles, monel seizing wire etc the staff at the marina will now construct the tyre modules for the centre of the barrier. They will be installed by a diver. That is why most craning has been cancelled for next week.
But.... has the contract been let for the remaining work on the barrier? Not to Kenny’s knowledge. There have been two tenders submitted for the task but it is not clear whether the contract has been let. I also asked whether there was the funding for the task to which the response was that the funds will have to be found as it is essential work.
In addition, boats on “D” pontoon have been “thinned” to prevent more mast clashes in the resulting swell. However, not much can be done to prevent members from being tossed from their bunks when sleeping aboard.
2. Pontoons.
In addition, boats on “D” pontoon have been “thinned” to prevent more mast clashes in the resulting swell. However, not much can be done to prevent members from being tossed from their bunks when sleeping aboard.
2. Pontoons.
Where are the new pontoons that were to be fitted near the loop shed? The holes have been prepared in the current pontoon under the gangway and the finger pontoons are ready for fitting but, dredging needs to be done before fitting as the water there is too shallow without. So in three weeks the marina staff will be carrying out the dredging which is why there will be very little craning that week. The dredging is resource and depth of water limited, hence the delay.
3. Other Stuff.
3. Other Stuff.
Also I voiced the general impression that we are not getting value for money for our increased berthing fees. That was noted.
As some of the information is known only to Adam who is on holiday for another week, I have arranged that Murray and I will meet with him on 18th August. I shall report more after then.
Frank Pullen
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
The committee has started action following the discussion at the AGM and afterwards with members of the BHA. The topics include:
- Electricity supply. There is still some concern over securing the meters, the supply and the need for a deposit. The managers of the marina have confirmed that the deposit is still required but recognised the need for security. The plugs on the metermaids will be sealed up with a heat shrink sleeve. This may deter pilfering but will also identify tampering.
- Barrier maintenance. Calls for tenders to complete the barrier maintenance have been circulated to those who have shown interest in the task. The break up of the barrier makes this a serious and urgent cause for concern.
- Berthing Fees. The charges for PE are considered high and a return to having six monthly payments for annual charges is requested. In addition, charges for dinghies are also to be reconsidered.
- RYA. The BHA is to pay the subscription to RYA for affiliation.
- Bank account. A bank account for BHA has been opened.
- Website. TheBHA website is not only up and running, but we are adding to it to make it more interesting and useful to BHA members.
Click on http://www.PortEdgarBHA.org.uk
In the absence of a major redevelopment it maybe opportune to advise the management what we, the users of the marina, consider to be important topics. The first thoughts include: Early pontoon maintenmance, Continued and improved dredging, Security of tenure for resident organisations to encourage and enable long term planning and investment, Contacting Chris Tonks to ascertain the finding of hydrographic surveys and any other reports to enable specialists amongst our members to assist with plans.
What we do require are your suggestions for a"Priority List". Please use the contact method on the site to let us know what you would like to see on such a list. We will add all suggestions and then prioritise them for management. Where we can we will also assist with expertise etc, from those amongst us who can best help.
More later
Frank Pullen
'BOSUN'
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
