Right to Anchor

From "A Wild Call" by Martin Murray 

(Context: Sailing his 36' timber ketch Molina singlehanded into Tarbet harbour on Scotland's storm ridden NW coast.) 

"Most of the boats were out fishing ... further down a wooden trawler lay against the south pier, with a row of tyres strung along it's side as an invitation to others... Opposite the boat were some new pontoons stretching out from the marina on the north side. They virtually filled the loch including the area where we used to anchor."

(After tying up he enters the portacabin by the marina.)

"At the back a woman was busy on her computer. I waited by she didn't look up. 

After a while I coughed, "Do you have a map of the harbour?" Getting a blank look, I added an explanation. "There's been a lot of change since I was last here, what with the new pontoons and all." 

"I think there are s an old brochure." She searched a drawer and retrieved a tourist brochure which had a small diagram the the harbour. 

 I thanked her and scrutinised the mini-map. It wasn't much help. "Where can visiting boats go." I asked. 

She pointed out the visitors pontoon and four moorings. "You'll find the fees on the next page." 

"Wow!" I exclaimed looking at the price listed against a thirty-six-foot vessel. Even without electricity or use of showers, both of which cost extra, this would set me back more than a night in a B & B. It was the nearest thing to extortion I could imagine. "Whereabouts can we anchor?"

She gave me a glance that I won't forget. "There's no anchoring in the harbour," she informed me, unable to disguise the curling of her upper lip.

I stared for a moment, mouth wide open.when I finally understood what she meant, I closed my mouth and walked out the door. I was used to the timeless hospitality of the West Highlands and ill-prepared for this intrusion by a grasping culture. It was, moreover, the first time in my yachting life that someone had tried to make me feel shabby. It was a good lesson."

Astonishing reading I thought. Then last night I read of similar incidents routinely happening in Mooloolabah; Cruising yachts being harassed by authorities to move on from canal anchorages. Conspicuously those waters adjacent waterfront homes of wealthy powerful residents. To be sure, when you buy waterfront land, you don't own the view, the water or the waterfront land - well at least that below the high tide mark. The wealthy, being inherently grasping and greedy will always use underhanded means to have their wicked way. But the seas are a sailor's path, we have to right to seek shelter as needed and it is illegal to order a ship to move on when weather, health or seaworthiness are at stake. Be warned and stand up for your maritime rights.