Herne Bay Angling Association. 59 Central Parade, Herne Bay, Kent. CT6 5JG Tel: 01227 362 127
Email: info@hernebayangling.co.uk Web Master: Terry Kale
Discussion Forum Email: kalet10@aol.co.uk
Herne Bay Launch, Retrieve & Parking Facilities
There seems no doubt that Herne Bay is becoming more popular for boat and watercraft enthusiasts. Larger craft from fishing boats, power boats to sailing yachts along with ever increasing numbers of jet ski’s are clambering to use Herne Bays limited launch, retrieve and parking resources. The Council seem to be getting a very good income from parking especially through the summer and at weekends.
However, these increasing numbers although very good for the resort as a whole, are stretching the capacity and causing a number of problems. Yet, the only representatives of authority to be seen are Parking Attendants, checking everyone has paid and through the summer, lots of police motorcyclists along the promenade collecting fixed penalties for minor traffic infringements Should the slips and parking areas be policed? at least on weekends?
There have been many instances where having parked with boat and trailer, bought the £10 ticket, unstrap ed and launched or retrieved and returned to the parking bays only to find that all the parking spaces have been filled. Should the machines continue to sell tickets once the capacity has been reached?
Vandalism and unreported accidents like the one at the bottom under ‘Appeal’ are becoming more common. Arguments can often be seen breaking out in the parking areas and on the slipways due to congestion and lack of direction which often ends in chaos and anarchy. Should the parking areas and slipways be manned with staff versed in and capable to enforce restricted and safe use of these facilities?
Throughout this summer, as last summer Camper vans have parked in the trailer bays for sometimes days on end. Whole families, young children as young as 12 have manoeuvred and launched jet ski’s. Some learning in the harbour whilst others take no notice of speed limits or right of way. There seems to be no rules or no enforcement of rules. If this is allowed to continue a serious accident is bound to occur at some stage. Is there an age restriction or at least the legal requirement for Insurance to use the car parks, slipways and harbour? If so who is responsible for enforcement?
Lastly, Neptune Jetty has been invariably shingle blocked preventing launch and retrieve for sometimes days and even weeks this year adding to the already increasing congestion on the harbour slipway. High winds and tides are the cause but, all this is widely reported and therefore should be dealt with promptly and not left until a complaint is made. Is it time that the Neptune Jetty is widened and made more accessible?
In fact, this increase in popularity of water sports on and from Herne Bays seafront is the envy of other seaside Towns. It brings to the Town a lot of visitors and therefore much needed business. Should the opportunity be taken to improve matters and even increase potential by enlarging the frontage for parking, add a new slip, widen existing slips and horseshoe the harbour entrance against the left to right and right to left tide flow to prevent silting?
Terry Kale
Reply:
However, these increasing numbers although very good for the resort as a whole, are stretching the capacity and causing a number of problems. Yet, the only representatives of authority to be seen are Parking Attendants, checking everyone has paid and through the summer, lots of police motorcyclists along the promenade collecting fixed penalties for minor traffic infringements Should the slips and parking areas be policed? at least on weekends?
There have been many instances where having parked with boat and trailer, bought the £10 ticket, unstrap ed and launched or retrieved and returned to the parking bays only to find that all the parking spaces have been filled. Should the machines continue to sell tickets once the capacity has been reached?
Vandalism and unreported accidents like the one at the bottom under ‘Appeal’ are becoming more common. Arguments can often be seen breaking out in the parking areas and on the slipways due to congestion and lack of direction which often ends in chaos and anarchy. Should the parking areas and slipways be manned with staff versed in and capable to enforce restricted and safe use of these facilities?
Throughout this summer, as last summer Camper vans have parked in the trailer bays for sometimes days on end. Whole families, young children as young as 12 have manoeuvred and launched jet ski’s. Some learning in the harbour whilst others take no notice of speed limits or right of way. There seems to be no rules or no enforcement of rules. If this is allowed to continue a serious accident is bound to occur at some stage. Is there an age restriction or at least the legal requirement for Insurance to use the car parks, slipways and harbour? If so who is responsible for enforcement?
Lastly, Neptune Jetty has been invariably shingle blocked preventing launch and retrieve for sometimes days and even weeks this year adding to the already increasing congestion on the harbour slipway. High winds and tides are the cause but, all this is widely reported and therefore should be dealt with promptly and not left until a complaint is made. Is it time that the Neptune Jetty is widened and made more accessible?
In fact, this increase in popularity of water sports on and from Herne Bays seafront is the envy of other seaside Towns. It brings to the Town a lot of visitors and therefore much needed business. Should the opportunity be taken to improve matters and even increase potential by enlarging the frontage for parking, add a new slip, widen existing slips and horseshoe the harbour entrance against the left to right and right to left tide flow to prevent silting?
Terry Kale
Reply:
Have read some of the comments about the harbour and one thing that I think should be done there is to have sleepers or something along the walkway as to be able to tie up while waiting to get back up the slipway. If you come into the harbour and the slipway is full of boats going or getting back up you have nowhere to tie up while waiting to get in. You have to keep your engine in gear and on the move going forward or backwards or you get blown onto the rocks that are there. I today came in, got almost to the slipway and had an engine stall. By the time I got it going again I had been blown onto the rocks and damaged my prop. If there were sleepers in front of the rocks with rings on you could at least tie up and wait alongside the walkway and be in no ones way.
Barrie Kebbell
Hi, The sugggestion for boats to have a mooring position seems to be a good idea. The problem that I see occur over and over again is that jet ski's, who have as much right as us boat anglers,simply bunging up the slip way working on their machines. This should be stopped by Car Parking Attendants. Car Park Attendants could also 'barrier' the entarnce to the car park, therefore not allowing in vehicles that won't have a parking position. Camper Vans during the summer take up an incredible amount of room.
BUT, I also notice that many 'HBAA' club members blocking two bays whilst they get there boat ready to launch, so its not fair to critise others if we have not got our act together.
Canterbury Council have got fantastic facilities at Herne Bay that weekenders love. It could be better with more parking and mooring positions, even a pontoon just off the slipway. Most importantly better managed. The slip way that is more often than not buried in shingle is in need of an update.
Andy Frost
The season is only just starting and already we have another boat damaged in the harbour. I was in the harbour car park on Sunday 28/3/10 from about 2:15pm til 2:45pm as the boats were returning from the open boat competition. At that time, an irresponsible Jet skier was tearing about the harbour at well over the 8 knot limit doing speed turns and jumps. This was commented on by many of the people present. I did not see this idiot collide with any boats so cannot say that he was the culprit. However, it is just this sort of behaviour that could cause collisions and damage. There was a Council Attendant present and looking on, but I do not know if he had a word with the Jet skier or not, or indeed, if he had any power to do so?
Terry Kale.
Terry Kale.