Can Marinas Turn a Boat Away When Seeking Safe Harbor?

[Lagoon4us]

We were in GRUZ Croatia, winds were gusting to 45 knots and customs told us to leave as we had cleared, i said i chose to in 8 hrs time (one engine was out) we were told to go or face charges.
NOT their problem!

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Lagoon4us

We were in GRUZ Croatia, winds were gusting to 45 knots and customs told us to leave as we had cleared, i said i chose to in 8 hrs time (one engine was out) we were told to go or face charges.
NOT their problem!

That's a bit off... its my understanding that one has 24hrs after clearing out to depart...
However petty dumb local officials can be awkward I guess and Slav's are dodgey people to push..

[Lagoon4us]

There's huge issues in these countries where Port Police, Customs, Tourist Police etc hate each other and often your at the mercy of the grumpiest Ahole that wants to make a name for himself.
The annoying thing was it put us at our destination at night and i don't particually like entering a foreign country/port at night.

And Slav's and their attitudes are very hard to read!
Cheers

[JPA Cate]

I see we've left the issue of Internet discretion and self-discipline behind... OK.

Now, about being chucked out of somewhere, I can only suggest that one do leave, but then when outside the national boundaries, slow down or stop the boat so that one can arrange one's arrival time to suit. I hate slowing down the boat, so I can certainly understand resistance to the concept--but it is a method of assuring that you arrive when you will have daylight to help with arriving at a new destination.

[boatman61]

[QUOTE=Ann T. Cate;1336936]I see we've left the issue of Internet discretion and self-discipline behind...[QUOTE]

HUHHH....!! Wots dat...
Read my book.... 'How not to make friends and influence people'...

[Lagoon4us]

Thanks Ann.

[Tony B]

A change of perspective.

Lets say for instance this was a land question instead of a water question.
Safe Harbor during a names storm.
The Govt. whether Fed, state or local, generally can not turn you away from safe harbor (public shelters) UNLESS they are overcrowded, which they can and do. There are other reasons also.
Private: Are you required as a citizen ( just like a private marina) to give safe harbor to strangers in your home or garage or even your business?
The answer is obviously 'no'. Why? It is your private property and you have the right to turn people away.

Just playing here and drawing an analogy.

As a side note:
It was pre-Katrina days when we were living aboard in Point Cadet Marina in Biloxi, Ms. A named storm was coming and we had to evacuate. Those that did not were moved out and anchored by professional towing services hired by the marina - owned jointly by the city of Biloxi, the county and the Port commission. I'm pretty sure that the boat owners were hit with the bill. One boat was lost. I didn't hear of any lawsuits, but it could have happened. Secrets don't exist in small towns when entrusted to everyday workers.

[transmitterdan]

Originally Posted by zeehag

down here they dont close marinas due to high winds--they close the port. they close a bay. they close the entire harbor. is the call of the capitania del puerto, who is a government agent

This is true. However, in some Mexican ports I am convinced that local captains and crew have a lot of influence on the decision. We've been denied a prepaid dive charter a few times when the Cozumel "port closed" sign went up. Conditions were not that bad. My theory is that some days the crews need a day off and the harbor master obliges. In one case when we came in to the dock late in the day the crew assured us the harbor would be closed mañana due to weather so I became convinced the "fix was in". Sure enough, the port closed sign was up the next morning.