Nightmare charter trip

[dayoo]

Headed out from Tin Can Bay 3 weeks ago (seven on board) on a two day two night charter north up Frazer Island past the mahino wreck near the southern end of the Gardiner Banks. Left at 10pm so that we would be on the fishing spots before 4am the next morning. Woke up at 2.30am after feeling the boat stop, double hook ups of 3 to 4 kilo catfish and two ambos. Mates said the skipper went to bed as soon as we anchoured. Skipper woke up at 5am and I asked him where were we and He said 14miles off the wide bay bar. WHAT?

Skipper was not keen to head north and moved to anchor next to the charter boat "Baitrunner". We caught a few just legal pearlies and then moved in closer just outside the limit of Wolf Rock. By 5pm we all decided to cut the charter short and head to Tin Can with a total of 24 small fish between 7 of us.

The owner was reluctant to discuss any refund for the trip being shortened to 22 hours instead of 44 hours despite admitting that the skipper should have headed north as agreed before we left.

I spoke to the skipper of "Baitrunner " the next day and he me that he and the two other charters operating in this area all had excellent catches.

Finally after three weeks and numerous terse phone calls with the owner we received approx one third of what we paid.

The skipper of this charter is the owners son and he was previously a trawlerman not an experienced pro fisherman of 22 years as advertised in Bush and Beach Magazine.

Anyone contemplating a trip on this boat should make sure with the owner and skipper just where the boat is heading to prior to departure.

The seven of us who went on the charter all have been reef fishing for many many years on charter boats and we will not go out with this operator again.

[FNQCairns]

Headed out from Tin Can Bay 3 weeks ago (seven on board) on a two day two night charter north up Frazer Island past the mahino wreck near the southern end of the Gardiner Banks. Left at 10pm so that we would be on the fishing spots before 4am the next morning. Woke up at 2.30am after feeling the boat stop, double hook ups of 3 to 4 kilo catfish and two ambos. Mates said the skipper went to bed as soon as we anchoured. Skipper woke up at 5am and I asked him where were we and He said 14miles off the wide bay bar. WHAT?

Skipper was not keen to head north and moved to anchor next to the charter boat "Baitrunner". We caught a few just legal pearlies and then moved in closer just outside the limit of Wolf Rock. By 5pm we all decided to cut the charter short and head to Tin Can with a total of 24 small fish between 7 of us.

The owner was reluctant to discuss any refund for the trip being shortened to 22 hours instead of 44 hours despite admitting that the skipper should have headed north as agreed before we left.

I spoke to the skipper of "Baitrunner " the next day and he me that he and the two other charters operating in this area all had excellent catches.

Finally after three weeks and numerous terse phone calls with the owner we received approx one third of what we paid.

The skipper of this charter is the owners son and he was previously a trawlerman not an experienced pro fisherman of 22 years as advertised in Bush and Beach Magazine.

Anyone contemplating a trip on this boat should make sure with the owner and skipper just where the boat is heading to prior to departure.

The seven of us who went on the charter all have been reef fishing for many many years on charter boats and we will not go out with this operator again.

All I can say is sue him, what is your collective time worth? what could you/others have done instead on those days, a class action (if that is what it is called) would save a lot of others the same fate!!

That's just crook IMO.

cheers fnq

[loophole]

thats a scam mate not good !!

[Black_Rat]

Bummer :(



Skipper was not keen to head north


The question has to be asked, was it because of the forecast the next day or because they just refused too, without an explantion ?

[dayoo]

Damo

Forecast for the next two days was light nw winds.
"Keelyrose" and unreel fishing charters were both up past the Mahinos and both had excellent catches.

[disorderly]

By 5pm we all decided to cut the charter short and head to Tin Can with a total of 24 small fish between 7 of us.


Anyone contemplating a trip on this boat should make sure with the owner and skipper just where the boat is heading to prior to departure.



Why?If the weather was fine and the boat functioning properly why were you not taken to the designated area?
Was there a designated area discussed prior to departure?

[dayoo]

Disorderly,

The owner was told a number of times that we wanted to head north and by the owners own admission the skipper knew this. We have been fishing the area out from the Wide Bay Bar on day charters for many years and told the owner that we were only interested in a two day two nighter provided we went north near the southern Gardiner banks. I feel like I am being cross examined by a prosecuter. Next time I will only report on good trips.

[Greg P]

Barry - doesnt sound good mate. You've been on that charter before haven't you ?

[disorderly]

Disorderly,

The owner was told a number of times that we wanted to head north and by the owners own admission the skipper knew this. We have been fishing the area out from the Wide Bay Bar on day charters for many years and told the owner that we were only interested in a two day two nighter provided we went north near the southern Gardiner banks. I feel like I am being cross examined by a prosecuter. Next time I will only report on good trips.

Dont get me wrong here, dayoo.
It sounds like a shocker of a trip,mate but I still dont understand why the stumps were pulled at half time and by whom.
Why didn't you just head to your original destination?

I for one however am glad you have brought it up because I feel that too often some charter operators just go through the motions (as they do it day in, day out)and dont want to have to work as hard as sometimes is necessary to get you onto fish.
Communication is paramount and most necessary prior to departure as once on the water the skipper is the boss ultimately.
I dont really know if there is any real recourse unless you had a written contractual arrangement.
The best thing you can do is to make a public report on your dissatisfaction as you have done here and hope it doesn't happen to others.
You may just have to chalk it up to experience unfortunately.

regards

Scott

[Lovey80]

Dayoo, can you name the charter?

Cheers Chris

[Rodman]

Mate what was the name of the charter boat?

Rodman

[dayoo]

Scott,

The decision was made to head back early because we were pissed off with the skipper and we had only 22 hours left and to get to the original agreed area north past the Mahino wreck would have taken 10 hours travel (there and back, the boat only cruises at 10knots) and the skipper intimated that we would receive a partial refund as determined by his father the owner.

Chris and Rodman,

I would rather not name the boat at this stage (on legal advice) but it is the only charter operating out of Tin Can Bay that can take 8 passengers.

[dayoo]

Greg P,

Yes mate, first trip up off Indian Head was alright but the boat is slow and I think is awkward to handle if there is any current or wind.

[Ryan.S]

Cheers for the heads up Dayoo. Good Report. We need to hear about the bad ones aswell.

[JEWIENEWIE]

I have just been on a cracker of a trip. When the booking was made the skipper was informed that we wantd to do some jiging for ambos etc. When we boarded the boat, the skipper said that we have a couple options, first go deep water jigging as we requested which was not his recommendation as hasnt been getting many and it was a long way out and would cut into fishing time and maybe for no reward, or head to a few of his marks as they had been doing well, it was a lot closer which ment more fishing time.
He then re affirmed again of our initial request, said he is more than happy to take us there but up to us.
We decided to take up his option of staying in close and had the best days fishing i and the rest of the 10 clients have ever had.
You have good right to be completely unhappy mate.
Good paying customers should never be treated like that and i am sure this operator will not be operating for long with an attitude like that. Two prime examples of "how not to" and "how to" treat your clientele.
Jewie

[oldballs]

have had similar experience on same charter,
new operatator coming to the area soon with experienced skipper and great boat.

[revs57]

Sounds like fraud to me. You specified the terms and conditions, the owner agrees, He admits his operator was delinquent, other detail is really irrelevant on who called it - the terms and conditions were not met because of a delinquent operator, and the owner has the hide to offer a 1/3 refund - you're kidding...go get 'em Barry! We can all do without that!

Cheers

Rhys

[poundalead]

I've been on the same charter. I wasn't super impressed with the amount of travel time between marks. Especially when I was told he had over 1500 marks. Some marks were a 4 hour steam doing 8 knots. That's fishing though. I went on the Keeley Rose a couple of months before and had an awesome day. Ed worked super hard and we returned with a half-full esky (which is plenty). Ed said that it was the worst haul he'd had in 6 months. I would love to go out on a good day. The best come-back is to vent your spleen on Ausfish. Ed wins hands down for me

Cheers Benny

[craigie]

G'day Barry,

After chatting to you on the phone, I've been looking to see if you were posting it up.
Glad to hear you got a partial refund.

Not long now to your Charter down at Wooli.
Keen to hear your results for that one as I'm organising a crew to head down there for a couple of days in late Oct/Early Nov.

Cheers mate,

Craigie.

[dayoo]

Craigie

Will be heading to Wooli on Sunday for two separate days of Fishing on Monday and Tuesday. John the Charter operator is a good bloke and knows where to get a good feed of snapper and Jew.
Will give a report on this trip when I get back on Wednesday if I am not buggered from cleaning fish.

Cheers
Barry

[dww13]

I think there are a lot of details that are not being given up. In another post you have mentioned that the un named vessle is "awkward" in certain conditions.

Because other vessles headed out to the grounds doesnt mean that the vessle you were on was suited to proceed to the desired grounds.

The fact that you decided to pull the pin at the offer of a refund to be determined latter would indicate that the skipper was not confortable with conditions. They dont just give up their income lightly even with upset customers.

You have alluded to the fact that you have many years experience chartering boats, i would assume that never have you had anything in writing from the operator stating that this is where you WILL fish (advertising would not cover this point) and as such the decision is ALWAYS determined by the weather and the skipper on the day. Over night trips can be influenced by the forcasts for the days immeadiatly following the days of your charter. Local knowledge could be the difference of getting caught out in crap that has come in early.

With out disclosing all the details re weather, currents boat condition etc no one on the site can judge wether or not the decision not to power to the spot was justified. (at the time you were sleeping and as such you may not have been privy to some of the factors)

There is little to no chance that you could take the matter further in the courts, unless of course there was insufficent certification on th eskipper and crews behalf for operating such a charter.

The 1/3 refund is probably as good as you willl get and doing what you have (posting about it) is probably all you can do to alert others. Dropping the name on the public forum could get yourself in a bit of hot water if the reasons for modifying the trip where found to be justified.

I could only suggest staying with the last acceptable operator you used.

Just my opinion, not trying to cross examine just pointing out that there are a multitude of factors that need to be taken aboard when at sea, and more so when taking out clients.

Dan

[Kurichan]

Out him !

The only way this bloke - and other less scrupulous charter operators can stay in business is by hiding behind legal 'skirts'. If he'd done a gecent job (ie. just what you paid for), you'd be singing his praises all over these boards and he'd be making more money...

You should be able to recount facts with no fear of legal liability anyway (we paid 'X' dollars, and caught 'X' fish) Anyone who has ever wet a line would be able to see whether the investment was worth it or not.

[timor 2]

yeah guys what is the name of this charter so we dont get caught out????

[Lovey80]

dww13, other than giving up the operators name (which is totally up to him) I think that he has provided more than sufficient info to detirmine he got a raw deal. Light winds???? what charter boat capable of taking 8 people out wide couldn't handle "light winds"? The skipper (from our info so far) didn't state he didnt go to the disired location due to bad weather so why are you bringing this into the equation?

Cheers Chris

[Sean]

original poster has said he can't name the operator......i'm sure he's not the only one who knows the name, someone else name him!

[finding_time]

I think there are a lot of details that are not being given up. In another post you have mentioned that the un named vessle is "awkward" in certain conditions.

Because other vessles headed out to the grounds doesnt mean that the vessle you were on was suited to proceed to the desired grounds.

The fact that you decided to pull the pin at the offer of a refund to be determined latter would indicate that the skipper was not confortable with conditions. They dont just give up their income lightly even with upset customers.

You have alluded to the fact that you have many years experience chartering boats, i would assume that never have you had anything in writing from the operator stating that this is where you WILL fish (advertising would not cover this point) and as such the decision is ALWAYS determined by the weather and the skipper on the day. Over night trips can be influenced by the forcasts for the days immeadiatly following the days of your charter. Local knowledge could be the difference of getting caught out in crap that has come in early.

With out disclosing all the details re weather, currents boat condition etc no one on the site can judge wether or not the decision not to power to the spot was justified. (at the time you were sleeping and as such you may not have been privy to some of the factors)

There is little to no chance that you could take the matter further in the courts, unless of course there was insufficent certification on th eskipper and crews behalf for operating such a charter.

The 1/3 refund is probably as good as you willl get and doing what you have (posting about it) is probably all you can do to alert others. Dropping the name on the public forum could get yourself in a bit of hot water if the reasons for modifying the trip where found to be justified.

I could only suggest staying with the last acceptable operator you used.

Just my opinion, not trying to cross examine just pointing out that there are a multitude of factors that need to be taken aboard when at sea, and more so when taking out clients.

Dan

Dan

I also think that light NW winds should be fine for any boat surveyed for 8 overnight, infact a displacement boats only reel issue with the sea up there should be the BAR and he wasn't worried obout crossing that. Kealy rose that was out at the same time is a sub 6m platey and Ed the skipper is far from a risk taker, if he was out both days it would have been a very good forcast!

Ian

Ps Did Ian get any of Phantom's gear back?

[adrianandbeck]

In response to nightmare charter by dayyoo(aka,barry day), what a two faced unit he is, as well as displaying his little man syndrome. what he has not reported in print
and possibly to the others on board at the time is,
-- after being on board for sometime, he informed the crew that he should not be
on board as he was booked into hospital for heart treatment.
THEN-----
-- once at sea,his other complaint of fluid in both ankles developed to such an
extent,that he could not bear his feet to the deck----he was NURSED by the crew
IN HIS BUNK with pillows to elevate his swollen feet.
( by this time, skipper/crew confidence in this trip regarding distance from port verses pending health problems becomes a questionable issue.
-- day openly stated to crew that he should return early & at a later time he was
in fact instumental in suggesting the same to the other punters. we know that some would have stayed, because as always, tommorrow is another day.
he was right about onething, it was not a good trip--for our part,it was not comfortable in anyway.
So to give the benefit of any doubt he was re-embersed with an agreed amount ( did he mention agreed ) !!!!!!! NO !!!!!!
In summary DAYOO DAY you are a terrible hypocrite as you have openly BAGGED prominent operators here for various reasons and including the lack of fish. But you have used their names in order to prop up your own cause.
how quickly we fall in the eyes of this little man as your previous letter to all,
put us at the top of the list.(ie;your letter you wrote, about your first trip with us)

You people who respond to DAY'S comments should consider the responsibility and liability that Skippers/Masters carry with regard to health and safety issues on board ship and when circumstances prevail it is not always and or entirely the operators fault in the decision making.
I would add DAYOO DAY that some or all on board with you ( bearing in mind they were not your mates ) possibly would not have been aware of your plight and in particular your commands to crew.
I in all fact spoke to one of your group 1-2 weeks after your trip and he indicated he may come again - BUT WITHOUT YOU !!!!!!!!
Finally at the end of the day, DAY it was your call to return early.

[adrianandbeck]

In response to nightmare charter by dayyoo(aka,barry day), what a two faced unit he is, as well as displaying his little man syndrome. what he has not reported in print
and possibly to the others on board at the time is,
-- after being on board for sometime, he informed the crew that he should not be
on board as he was booked into hospital for heart treatment.
THEN-----
-- once at sea,his other complaint of fluid in both ankles developed to such an
extent,that he could not bear his feet to the deck----he was NURSED by the crew
IN HIS BUNK with pillows to elevate his swollen feet.
( by this time, skipper/crew confidence in this trip regarding distance from port verses pending health problems becomes a questionable issue.
-- day openly stated to crew that he should return early & at a later time he was
in fact instumental in suggesting the same to the other punters. we know that some would have stayed, because as always, tommorrow is another day.
he was right about onething, it was not a good trip--for our part,it was not comfortable in anyway.
So to give the benefit of any doubt he was re-embersed with an agreed amount ( did he mention agreed ) !!!!!!! NO !!!!!!
In summary DAYOO DAY you are a terrible hypocrite as you have openly BAGGED prominent operators here for various reasons and including the lack of fish. But you have used their names in order to prop up your own cause.
how quickly we fall in the eyes of this little man as your previous letter to all,
put us at the top of the list.(ie;your letter you wrote, about your first trip with us)

You people who respond to DAY'S comments should consider the responsibility and liability that Skippers/Masters carry with regard to health and safety issues on board ship and when circumstances prevail it is not always and or entirely the operators fault in the decision making.
I would add DAYOO DAY that some or all on board with you ( bearing in mind they were not your mates ) possibly would not have been aware of your plight and in particular your commands to crew.
I in all fact spoke to one of your group 1-2 weeks after your trip and he indicated he may come again - BUT WITHOUT YOU !!!!!!!!
Finally at the end of the day, DAY it was your call to return early.

[Marlin_Mike]

Wise old man once said

There are 3 sides to every arguement.......yours, mine and the truth


Mike

[dayoo]

In reply to the personal attack on me by new member adrianandbeck (obviously the owner the the charter) I would like to state that:
(a) I was not booked into hospital for heart treatment
(b) Upon boarding the boat I informed the skipper that I had sore ankles and that I would be resting on the bunk when we were not fishing. When we were fishing after we left the catfish spot I was on the deck fishing with the rest.
(c) the decision to return early was agreed by the seven of us because we were not taken to the agreed area north of the Mahinos and that a two day two night charter should not take paying passengers to well fished out areas just outside the bar.
(d)The 6 other fishos on the boat are not prepared to go again.

The character of an individual is shown when one has to stoop to a personal discriminating attack and I leave it to Ausfish members to be the judge

[adrianandbeck]

im really surprized that you went back on baitrunner after the bagging you gave him & his crew , not only professionaly but also personally,SHAME on you dayoo
you really are a very bad punter!>:(

[reef_king]

You people who respond to DAY'S comments should consider the responsibility and liability that Skippers/Masters carry with regard to health and safety issues on board ship and when circumstances prevail it is not always and or entirely the operators fault in the decision making.
.

Dayoo comes fishing with me often in a much smaller boat. We fish harder,longer and further than you and he's with us the whole way....not 1 complaint, so i don't know were your pulling this sh@t from::) ....you did get 1 thing right he is a unit.;D

[lutjanus]

It seems everyone has a little bit to say about this matter of this charter trip. Frankly I don't know who the operator is. However as someone has already posted there obviously is two sides to the story. What i can say is that i understand both sides i am like everybody else a fisherman and have been a charter boat skipper out of SEQ for years,
first of all for the charter(dayoo) it sounds like you have had a bad trip on this charter boat therefore you are entitled to your right of opinion to tell people who it was and what happened without fear of leagal ramifications. And in actual fact you can name and shame(within reason) the charter vessel and skipper....this is not defamation at all it is a public web site and therefore your opinion is only your opinion(i know this as had similar issues prior and my girl' a solicitor).
Secondly dayoo just one for more bit of information did you indeed go to hospital shorlty after the charter? This is important because it gives rise to the seriousness of your condition therefore the decision by the skipper to return.
From a skippers point of view if the charter had asked to go to a certain location i do believe it is THEIR right to go where they please (within reason) it is afterall their loss if they don't take your advice and don't catch anything. However having said that it has to be agreed mutually first of all and is alway subject to change.
Also dayoo you should realise that if you were ill you are under the duty of care of the skipper as he is holding your life as well as 7 other lives in his hands. He has to look out for such things a legal liability for if something did happen to you whilst at sea he is held in some accounts responsible for knowing first of all your condition and still proceeding to sea where help is a long way to be found. As said before i am unaware of what illness you had and seriousness of it, but as a skipper i may have chosen to either A. tell you that due to your health i will only go so far from a place where help is available and B. Make the decision not not take you and in some accounts that may involve cancellation of the charter.

As for the return of money a mutually agreeded amount for time at sea should be agreed ie if you were only out half the time pay half of the full amount of the charter this is i think fair to both parties and i dont think any body would disagree.
At the end of the day guys you should really be thinking of a way to resolve the issue not inflame it i am sure it is not doing either party any good. guys life is to short to be doing this sort of thing we should be out fishing....
Any way I don't know if this at all would help i hope it does and hope that all can get back to the real issue fishing.

[JEWIENEWIE]

[
At the end of the day guys you should really be thinking of a way to resolve the issue not inflame it i am sure it is not doing either party any good. guys life is to short to be doing this sort of thing we should be out fishing....
Any way I don't know if this at all would help i hope it does and hope that all can get back to the real issue fishing.[/quote]

Here, here. Lets get on with it.
I dont know who is right or wrong as the only people who really know are the people directly involved. There are major incosistantcies on both sides, i hope both parties come to the table and get a resolution that they are both happy with.
Jewie