Board's communications slammed by judge

District Judge David Pollard's comments were made during a case brought by the club against 12 members who had with-held part of their mooring fees in protest against the quality of the moorings on the west bank of the River Arun.

Six of the members decided to counter-claim in court and brought in an expert witness to prove that the boats had been damaged because the ground chains securing the vessels to the riverbed were too close to the moorings, which also had no "barge boards" to protect the boats.

At the hearing, at Worthing County Court, judge Pollard, himself a yachtsman, ruled that the moorings were so defective they were "worthless" and that the club members need not pay for them.

He said the club had taken a "very high-handed approach" to the situation and awarded the six people who counter-claimed, more than 8,000 in compensation between them for the damage sustained to their boats.

George Bevan, chairman of the Strawberry Bay Berth Holders' Association, which represents the members' interests to the board, told the Gazette that the moorings had been falling into a state of disrepair for some years.

He said the association was formed in 2005 after the board refused to recognise its mooring committee, following continued complaints about the condition of the moorings.

The unrecognised committee consulted with the Royal Yachting Association and was told it could form a berth holders' association which it did and which incorporated the Victorian name for the part of the river where the club is situated '“ Strawberry Bay.

"The board still refuse to recognise us," said Mr Bevan. "At the moment, there are about 50 boats moored at the club and we have 51 members because even though people have moved their boats elsewhere, they still care about what happens there.

"This situation is down to bad communication. The board has refused to talk to members about their concerns and basically said that if they don't like it then they can leave.

"The main issues we have are the poor quality of the moorings and the walkways and the unsuitable ground tackle, which allowed the boats to be damaged against the moorings.

"We would like the board to start up a dialogue with us so that we can work together to solve these problems, but I don't think that will happen. It certainly hasn't up until now."

Club member Bev Cornish, who was awarded 1,467 for damage to her boat Salsa Blanca, agreed: "It's very sad that there's been such a major breakdown in communication between the club and its members. It's not a very good way to run a business at all.

"I think it would be lovely to re-establish communications to make sure that things start to improve."

Allan Akehurst's family have been members of the club for 34 years and he has been there for 12 of those. He was awarded 595.60 compensation for damage to his boat Plunger II.

"As far back as I can remember, the moorings have been in that sort of state," he said, "and they have got worse over the years.

"I will continue to be a member at the club. There's no way I'm going to back out."

Michael Moore, chairman of the board of directors at the club, told the Gazette: "At this stage I have no comment to make."

He added: "It is a shame that certain members have created so much aggravation."

The board met on Wednesday night to discuss the matter.