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NPT Mooring Irritation
#127547
04/18/2017 08:26 AM
04/18/2017 08:26 AM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 559 Apex, NC
agrimsrud
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Apex, NC
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Just got back from a great trip and am currently sitting at my desk at work still rocking. I picked up my boat at CYOA which was - as expected but still greatly appreciated - in perfect working condition inside and out.
I like to think I'm pretty easy going and probably 5x more so while down in the ilons. But one thing I'm a little irritated with is the NPT moorings. I don't mind spending the money for the permit 'cause I feel like it's being used to support things I take direct advantage of. But I ought to be able to take advantage of the moorings else I'm not really sure what I'm paying for.
For example - I arrive at the Indians at 0700 on Sunday. Every mooring ball has a CAT parked on it except two. Of the two only one of the balls has a lead. ok.. fine for me I pick up the remaining ball. There is no way the cats got there in the morning - I'm certain they were there all night. No sign of life on them. We stayed on our mooring for at most the maximum 90 minutes. None of the "parked" boats moved in that time or showed any sign of life. Several other boats came by looking for a ball and left - no room at the inn.
Same experience at the Baths. Packed. In the 20 minutes I hung out not a single boat left. Hard to believe they all got there within the previous 90 minutes. No big deal at this site 'cause I rented a car and drove down from Leverick. Better that way anyway. But it does make me wonder why I bother paying the NPT permit.
It appears some boaters believe the rules are for the little people. I find this a bit annoying!
Life's short - sail more!
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Re: NPT Mooring Irritation
[Re: mcevog]
#127552
04/18/2017 09:00 AM
04/18/2017 09:00 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720 Massachusetts
maytrix
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I too find this annoying. The Baths, I think is one exception - you really need 2 hours there at least. But all the other sites, 90 minutes is reasonable and you can then move.
It is unfortunate there is no enforcement of the rules at all. And more unfortunate that more people don't have respect for others. We always try to stick to 90 minutes or less.. only exceptions we make are if there's free balls.. if there are, then we don't rush to leave.
Matt
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Re: NPT Mooring Irritation
[Re: CottageGirl]
#127554
04/18/2017 09:21 AM
04/18/2017 09:21 AM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 84
Lew
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Re: NPT Mooring Irritation
[Re: Lew]
#127555
04/18/2017 09:31 AM
04/18/2017 09:31 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720 Massachusetts
maytrix
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I'm sure there are some that don't know the rules, but I also think they are the minority.
Matt
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Re: NPT Mooring Irritation
[Re: maytrix]
#127556
04/18/2017 09:46 AM
04/18/2017 09:46 AM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,228 Somewhere out there
kneafseym
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In the Summer often you get the Sailing School/Camps over nighting as it the "easy way" to get all the boats together and I imagine not spend money.
Mike
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Re: NPT Mooring Irritation
[Re: FLJim]
#127560
04/18/2017 12:19 PM
04/18/2017 12:19 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 559 Apex, NC
agrimsrud
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FLJim said: I've overheard people in bars brag about saving $30 by overnighting at the Park moorings. But in some cases the overnighters are desperate charterers who grab any available ball because they don't trust that heavy thing on the bow. If the Bight is full, quick - head over to the Indians. Yea... I think you are probably right - that's very likely what is going on. As I'm thinking about it it's not the fact that these people are using the NPT mooring for overnight that's annoying to me - that doesn't really affect me. But if you are going to overnight on the NPT mooring at least get off of it at first light so your lack of planning doesn't affect everyone else. IMHO. Saturday we picked up the last mooring ball on Cooper at 10:30 in the morning. Never seen that before. I enjoy Cooper but I'm not willing to give up a day of sailing (not sure it's called "sailing" when there is zippo wind but you get the point) just so I can be at Cooper. But that's how it worked out this time.
Life's short - sail more!
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Re: NPT Mooring Irritation
[Re: NCSailor]
#127564
04/18/2017 02:14 PM
04/18/2017 02:14 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213 GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
sail2wind
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NCSailor said: Interesting that folks are leaving boats unattended at the Baths and Indians. I thought Moorings/Sunsail required that someone stay on board at all times when hooked to a NPT ball due to the poor condition of the ground tackle and pendants. I have never heard this, how would you go to dinner or go diving
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Re: NPT Mooring Irritation
[Re: sail2wind]
#127565
04/18/2017 03:11 PM
04/18/2017 03:11 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,040 Charlotte, NC
NCSailor
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sail2wind said:NCSailor said: Interesting that folks are leaving boats unattended at the Baths and Indians. I thought Moorings/Sunsail required that someone stay on board at all times when hooked to a NPT ball due to the poor condition of the ground tackle and pendants. I have never heard this, how would you go to dinner or go diving This was part of the Moorings briefing a couple of years ago. They made have changed it since if the condition of the NPT moorings improved.
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Re: NPT Mooring Irritation
[Re: CottageGirl]
#127566
04/18/2017 04:08 PM
04/18/2017 04:08 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720 Massachusetts
maytrix
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CottageGirl said: We do somewhat the same thing as Twanger with the Indians. Get off our ball at first light from Norman, motor over, and snorkel while some folks are having breakfast and some snorkel. Then we move on with our plan for the day. Only downside is this is really the worst time of day to see the indians. Best time is noon or so when the sun is nearly directly over head. Or even a little in the day so the light is better for seeing things.
Matt
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Re: NPT Mooring Irritation
[Re: LocalSailor]
#127567
04/18/2017 04:54 PM
04/18/2017 04:54 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 559 Apex, NC
agrimsrud
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LocalSailor said: Can anyone envision a workable, practical way to solve this blatant disregard for the NPT overnighting problem.
My opinion - the BVI is not very good at enforcing rules in a meaningful but non-draconian way. Take a look at the fishing rules - violators can have their boats impounded? A bit heavy handed IMHO. If it was me (and it's not) - I would fine them. But not force them to move. Forcing them to move would probably be unsafe and might penalize the wrong people (the boat owners). I would institute hours that you can use the moorings. Say 0600 to 1900. If you're on the mooring ball outside these hours it's a $500 fine. When you pick up your NPT permit this is explained to you just in case you can't read. Problem goes away in a few months and raises some money for the BVI treasury. And the moorings can be used for their intended purpose. That's what I would do if I ran the zoo.
Life's short - sail more!
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Re: NPT Mooring Irritation
[Re: agrimsrud]
#127570
04/18/2017 10:49 PM
04/18/2017 10:49 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,333 USVI
LocalSailor
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agrimsrud said:LocalSailor said: Can anyone envision a workable, practical way to solve this blatant disregard for the NPT overnighting problem.
If it was me (and it's not) - I would fine them. But not force them to move. Forcing them to move would probably be unsafe and might penalize the wrong people (the boat owners). I would institute hours that you can use the moorings. Say 0600 to 1900. If you're on the mooring ball outside these hours it's a $500 fine. When you pick up your NPT permit this is explained to you just in case you can't read. Problem goes away in a few months and raises some money for the BVI treasury. And the moorings can be used for their intended purpose. That's what I would do if I ran the zoo. A good plan -- but as I asked - who does the enforcement?? And I doubt the problem will go away in a few months unless the powers that be strictly do the enforcement and it is widely publicized. @Sailtowind mentions "be careful what you wish for" "If I ran the zoo" ----- not a job anyone would really wish for IMHO!!
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Re: NPT Mooring Irritation
[Re: LocalSailor]
#127572
04/19/2017 08:20 AM
04/19/2017 08:20 AM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 559 Apex, NC
agrimsrud
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LocalSailor said:
A good plan -- but as I asked - who does the enforcement?? And I doubt the problem will go away in a few months unless the powers that be strictly do the enforcement and it is widely publicized. @Sailtowind mentions "be careful what you wish for"
"If I ran the zoo" ----- not a job anyone would really wish for IMHO!! I didn't know I needed to have a complete solution to the problem in order to be annoyed by the present conditions. I don't really care how they enforce their own rules. But not enforcing them doesn't appear to be working. And I'm not sure why you and Sailtowind believe that the current completely broken usage of the NPT mooring balls is surely better than some enforcement. As is now I pay for a NPT permit that I accept has rules for fair play and I find out that some percentage of sailors don't want to be bothered by those rules which impacts my usage that I paid for. But to get back to your point. If they are NPT moorings I would think the BVI Park service would enforce those rules. They already have a boat - I've seen them enforce the swim area at the Baths before. I assume they can drive that boat and enforce some rules with their current personnel. Second idea would be for the NPT to contract out the mooring balls, maintenance, and enforcement to a private party and simply take a percentage of the revenue. That would probably be a better solution but I doubt it would fly in the BVI. Despite finding a solution to the problem not really being my problem I've suggested some strawman ideas to make it better. You are welcome to put forth other constructive ideas which IMHO would be better input than "that would never work".
Life's short - sail more!
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Re: NPT Mooring Irritation
[Re: sail445]
#127574
04/19/2017 09:46 AM
04/19/2017 09:46 AM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 559 Apex, NC
agrimsrud
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sail445 said: To enforce the rules fairly they would need to time every boat that took a mooring. I'm not going to pretend to have the solutions and even if I did I doubt it would matter. However - I don't see why the rules have to be applied fairly. If I'm pulled over for speeding I have to face the consequences. Telling the officer that other people were speeding as well has no bearing. The enforcement of the mooring balls could be completely random. Similar to speeding it's the threat that you could be caught that modifies behavior. Behavior takes a while to change - it would likely take several months before the situation gets better. And similar, failure to enforce the stated rules the situation will continue to get worse and soon the whole point of the NPT mooring balls will be lost due to bad selfish behavior that has no consequences. IMHO.
Life's short - sail more!
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Re: NPT Mooring Irritation
[Re: denverd0n]
#127576
04/19/2017 10:08 AM
04/19/2017 10:08 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 133 NB, Canada
Call_me_Ishmael
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Nobody cares about enforcement, or the quality of the NPT services. They care about the fee revenue. Enforcement costs would cut into that, so therefore it is a non-starter.
I personally think that there is likely some middle ground between an enforcement police state and the existing "tragedy of the commons", but there certainly doesn't seem to be any driver for the NPT to do anything about it. Maybe the major stakeholders (ie the charter co's) could muster some interest since it is the experience they are selling that is affected.
If I ran the NPT I would use a crowdsourced solution in consultation with other stakeholders like scuba operators, day sail charters, and charter operators. Start a website that does some "naming and shaming" - You could send photos with boatnames, time and date stamps, and the charter operators can see who the rule breakers are and perform whatever remedial action they deem appropriate.
Last edited by Call_me_Ishmael; 04/19/2017 10:18 AM.
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Re: NPT Mooring Irritation
[Re: agrimsrud]
#127577
04/19/2017 11:27 AM
04/19/2017 11:27 AM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,333 USVI
LocalSailor
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I don't really care how they enforce their own rules. But not enforcing them doesn't appear to be working. And I'm not sure why you and Sailtowind believe that the current completely broken usage of the NPT mooring balls is surely better than some enforcement.
And I am not sure why you believe that I feel the current misuse of NPT moorings is surely better. That is simply not true and I do feel 'some enforcement' would be worthwhile - I just asked if anyone had any workable and practical ways to do it. I did say you had a good plan and if the Park Service boat operates there at sunrise or sunset it may well have some moderate effect. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> It is just one of the many reasons I rarely sail the BVI anymore - which is especially disheartening for me - I enjoyed sailing around there for many years, and worse I can even see a few of my old favorite BVI's from my front porch here on STT.
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Re: NPT Mooring Irritation
[Re: sail445]
#127579
04/19/2017 02:18 PM
04/19/2017 02:18 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720 Massachusetts
maytrix
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I'm not sure its that simple though. What if there are balls free? Does someone still need to leave? Maybe for 3 hours, there's been 2 balls free so people remain. I really don't see any issue with that. As soon as things fill up though, its time to go.
I think really what is needed even more so then enforcement is education. I think a LOT of people simply don't know there's a time limit.
Matt
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Re: NPT Mooring Irritation
[Re: JudyG]
#127581
04/19/2017 04:53 PM
04/19/2017 04:53 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 761 Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin
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JudyG said: The simplest way to deal with parking beyond the limits is a combination of electronically controlled "mooring" tie-ups and radio signals when there is an overtime violation. The charter boat companies must want to see this problem solved even if the government does not dare to care. You will not need a fleet of mooring cops, and the fines will roll in from those who don't "know" the rules I think we have different definitions of what constitutes "simple" :-) I can't imagine what it would take to keep that kind of system maintained and functional in that environment.
M4000 "Lio Kai"
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Re: NPT Mooring Irritation
[Re: MrEZgoin]
#127582
04/19/2017 05:06 PM
04/19/2017 05:06 PM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,999 Macon, Georgia
GlennA
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Monitoring does not need to be continuous. A few random passes a month at 9PM to take boat names and sent the charter company a bill for a $500 fine and the word would get around pretty quickly. The fear of enforcement is often more effective than enforcement itself.
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. - Mark Twain
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Re: NPT Mooring Irritation
[Re: GlennA]
#127584
04/19/2017 06:00 PM
04/19/2017 06:00 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 770 Kansas
captmoby
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Pay the person a decent percentage of the fine and they will have plenty of people willing to help enforce it.
Jim Sailmoby II
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Re: NPT Mooring Irritation
[Re: agrimsrud]
#127586
04/20/2017 08:05 AM
04/20/2017 08:05 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,318 MD, USA
Dirichlet
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Here's another solution; motor until you're out of the park area (they're generally small) then anchor and dink back in. Or, simply move on. There are plenty of attractions to see - no need to get all bent up, especially when on vacation down there <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" /> Note: I was just there last week (Voyage 600 Jus' Chillin). Our times overlapped at least a little. I never had a problem getting a ball anywhere (Baths, Indians, White Bay, The Bight, Saba/BEYC, etc.).
... DIF all the time...
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