Passenger Pickup

[Matt]

I need to pick some people up from gunwharf quays on sunday morning.
Have tried calling the Gunwharf Quays Marina phone numbers, but no reply.

What's the form for making a short stay visit in to gunwharf to pick up and drop off some people?

Thank you
Matt

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Matt

I need to pick some people up from gunwharf quays on sunday morning.

Have tried calling the Gunwharf Quays Marina phone numbers, but no reply.



What's the form for making a short stay visit in to gunwharf to pick up and drop off some people?



Thank you

Matt

‘Tis easier to seek forgiveness than permission. [emoji6]

[Nasher]

Matt

I've done it a couple of times, and just pulled up to a spare spot on the outermost Pontoon and tied up for a few minutes.

The issue was the people I was picking up getting access to the pontoon, which they did once they got there, but were not allowed through the gate until I had tied up and the staff could watch them walk to me and get on board.

I don't know if that's the right/official way to do it, but it worked twice.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

‘Tis easier to seek forgiveness than permission. [emoji6]

Sometimes i want to be allowed back again though.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Nasher

Matt

I've done it a couple of times, and just pulled up to a spare spot on the outermost Pontoon and tied up for a few minutes.

The issue was the people I was picking up getting access to the pontoon, which they did once they got there, but were not allowed through the gate until I had tied up and the staff could watch them walk to me and get on board.

I don't know if that's the right/official way to do it, but it worked twice.

Have subsequently managed to speak to the harbour office. This is pretty much it, so all good.

[Old seahorse]

I’ve not tried it in Portsmouth, but in Dartmouth, Poole Yacht haven, and Cobbs Quay, I have called up on Marina channel and asked to make a quick stop, and always met with a positive response. I made sure I moored where directed, and didn’t overstay my welcome.

[Matt]

Agreed - just wanted to make sure the same was possible at Gunwharf Quays since I've not been there before by boat.

[FoxZulu]

Sitting watching the world go by while waiting for Mrs FZ to fetch the dog from home before we attempted to recover our 'hobbled' Black Bear, I watched a guy step off a moving sail boat onto a pontoon at Hamble Point marina and and then wonder why he couldn't open the gate.

In order to do my good deed for the day I walked over and opened the gate with my swipe card to let him out. He didn't seem to be very appreciative and mumbled something about having to get a taxi or walk up to the village. I kindly pointed him in the right direction and said goodbye.

If he'd been more thankful and polite I would have happily driven him to the village along with all his clobber saving him a 15 minute walk. Hey ho, WAFI's eh.

[GuyC]

There are 'sailing directions' for entering Portsmouth Harbour. You should ask QHM for permission to cross the harbour entrance.

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/qhm/por...ng-the-harbour

Another option for picking people up is the pontoon at the entrance to Camber Docks.

[Matt]

Thanks for the reminder - easy to forget you need permission to cross.
And I hate using the VHF. For some reason I get stage fright, despite having the qualification and used the VHF many times.

[Nasher]

It's a little irritating when you use the correct structure and wording to call QHM to ask for permission to cross and just get a grumpy single word response.

I've mostly had "Go ahead" with no proper structure around the call, which is OK I suppose, but have also had "Yep" following my effort to say all the right things.

I've never been brave enough not to use the correct structure to call them, and wonder what response I'd get.

[scrambler]

Originally Posted by Matt

Thanks for the reminder - easy to forget you need permission to cross.
And I hate using the VHF. For some reason I get stage fright, despite having the qualification and used the VHF many times.

Rehearse what you're going to say a few times, I find that helps.
And don't forget to tell them where you are i.e. adjacent to or from Ballast etc. - I forgot once and got a sharp "What is your location?" from QHM which of course every man and his dog in Portsmouth harbour hears.

[Matt]

When I'm presenting to people at a conference or something, I find the inverse is true - if I over rehearse, one stutter and I've broken my rhythm and therefore lose track if I'm not careful. So I generally just have topical notes as a reminder.

I'll do the same here - and good point about current location & destination - not just "can I cross" - I'll add that to the mental notes.

If anyone's in portsmouth at 7:15 sunday morning and hears some moron on a rib stuttering over getting permission to cross the channel - you know who it is!

[Dry Run]

Originally Posted by Nasher

It's a little irritating when you use the correct structure and wording to call QHM to ask for permission to cross and just get a grumpy single word response.

I've mostly had "Go ahead" with no proper structure around the call, which is OK I suppose, but have also had "Yep" following my effort to say all the right things.

I've never been brave enough not to use the correct structure to call them, and wonder what response I'd get.

Problem is, a lot of traffic in the harbour is frequent commercial users and they talk to QHM many times a week. Generally, the formality breaks down to: -

"QHM this is KB boats, Ballast to Camber please" met with "Approved".

They actually get quite frustrated with people using "correct" procedure.

[Matt]

I shall do this, then. ^^

[scrambler]

Originally Posted by Dry Run

Problem is, a lot of traffic in the harbour is frequent commercial users and they talk to QHM many times a week. Generally, the formality breaks down to: -

"QHM this is KB boats, Ballast to Camber please" met with "Approved".

They actually get quite frustrated with people using "correct" procedure.

I think middle of the road is the way to go i.e. "QHM,QHM, this is Me,Me, over" and wait for their response.
and not "QHM,QHM,QHM, this is Me,Me,Me over".
They don't know you so some element of correct procedure is probably necessary though it's pointless for the regulars that they recognise straightaway.

[John Kennett]

I do the same as Dry Run suggests. It works. Why complicate things?

[Matt]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

I would do the same as Dry Run suggests if I ever went boating. It works. Why complicate things?

EFA.

[scrambler]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

I do the same as Dry Run suggests. It works. Why complicate things?

Dry Run is stating what the regulars do, not I believe suggesting what a visitor should do.
With the regulars QHM will know what type of vessel is involved but unless you tell them they won't have a clue what you are if you're a visitor so won't have any idea of how long it might take you to cross the harbour.
So to some extent you need to follow the correct procedure and go through the "I am a rib/yacht/rowing boat/kayak/WHY" bit.
Just common sense.

[Matt]

I hear you. I will set a reminder to take my common sense pills on saturday night so they have time to work.