Saturday 1st May

Steve_B · 26 April 2010, 21:03

Not exactly a cruise as such, but we are launching our new business/service on Saturday.

Our first cruise will be at 1000 from Poole Quay and then every 90mins throughout the day. I was just thinking that if there were a few Ribs in the area, it might look rather impressive running through the harbour and might make some rather good photo opportunities.

Anyway I just wanted to express my thanks for all the help, advice and support it getting this up and running. I can certainly recommend starting a business if you want to loose weight, have sleepless nights and deal with agencies who generally seem to be as unhelpful as they can get away with.

The exceptions were Parker, Saunders Morgan Harris, Poole Quay Boat Haven and Yellow Penguin and Poole Harbour Commisioners.

Steve

PS and yes John I will upgrade to Trade as promised!

PeterM · 27 April 2010, 12:02

If the engine is still attached I'll come and find you.

Must be good to finaly get there !

whisper · 27 April 2010, 19:56

Congratulations Steve! That's a great Rib you have there!

Paul Beaurain · 28 April 2010, 14:25

HI Steve

Well done in getting this far! The really challanging bits are always hidden around the next corner.
You seem to have gone about the whole thing very professionally.

Your runs - do they stay within the harbour (and at the speed limit) or is there time for you to get to the entrance and out into the sea?
regards
Paul

Steve_B · 28 April 2010, 15:04

Please note this is now cancelled (just dont ask)

Paul, thanks I thought so too, but there is always something nasty hiding round the corner and mine has just popped out.

If anyone needs a large Cat3 Rib for charter TFN let me know or make me an offer, you can have the whole lot .....

Knot Yet · 28 April 2010, 19:21

Blimey Steve - was just about to offer good luck and congratulations then read your last post - hope it all gets sorted

Jxx

BassBoy · 28 April 2010, 19:31

Like Knot, I was about to say congrats (and hoped to join you for your photo shoot)

Is there anything us locals can do to help?

Best
BB

Steve_B · 28 April 2010, 20:36

Good God, what a day of lows & highs. Never, ever, do I wish to repeat the last 6 hours.

We are back on .... You could'nt make this up.

Now having phoned round my crews and informed them that their jobs had gone, I am now frantically trying to get their services back. Fortunately most were still available BUT

I am without a Skipper for Sunday 2nd May, is there anyone with an Advanced commercial who could help? Please .....

Steve

Knot Yet · 28 April 2010, 21:11

Fantastic news - it will all be worth it Steve - looking forward to reading about it

BassBoy · 29 April 2010, 04:52

Steve
Try Ian Pool- Absolute Aqua or Paul Glatzel-Power Boat Training UK.

Andre · 29 April 2010, 07:47

Steve

Perfect turn around. I am very pleased for you

Let's see you fill all them seats over the weekend

on every trip of course

Avocet · 01 May 2010, 16:24

Finally up and running:

PeterM · 01 May 2010, 16:32

Camera Batteries died , but managed to get the first fares on the way out , and Avocet/Bogib in Grimalkin after a quick drink at Poole.

The weather was better then forecast and hopefully things will get better & better for you Steve.

PS I tried to get the boat on the radio (SeaSafari1) but no reply, so not sure if either I've broken my radio, or its not on 16 on yours ?

Pete

Steve_B · 01 May 2010, 20:33

We're on the way, dont know where the journey will end, but by heck it was good to start.

Thanks to Bogi, David(Avocet) and PeterM for stopping by and saying hello, it made a difference guys.

We did three trips out and whilst we ran at a loss the numbers did build and a great deal of interest was shown by visitors and locals alike. Made some very good contacts with the other operators.

There is a large event on the Quay Monday with street arts, so should be more potential customers.

Interestingly the price, compared to the other operators did put people off, but those who made the leap of faith, said it was worth every penny. Need to work on getting that across somehow
Steve

bogib · 01 May 2010, 21:40

Great day.

We are charging EUR 45 for 45 minute puffin / islands tour so compare to that your fare are absalute bargain.

Nice to meet Peter M and his family and David "Avocet" thanks for the ride.

Few pics taken today, coming in from second trip.

Bogi

bogib · 01 May 2010, 21:42

Here are the group that went on the third trip today.

Bogi

Poly · 02 May 2010, 09:21

Steve,

Looking at your website - it appears you are offering 90 minutes for £25 (adult). I've looked at "RIB safari" prices occassionally when on holiday in the UK and that price seems pretty reasonable. I don't know what the local competition is like - but I guess you will be trying to differentiate yourself from them on something other than price anyway.

My only comment would be (and this applies to all sea safari / rib blast type opperations) is that if you are Mum, Dad and 2 kids, then the prices quickly rack up in your case £ 86 for half a morning/afternoon. I'm guessing that for "most people" on a day trip or a UK holiday, especially in difficult ecconomic times, that the best part of 100 quid to for less than two hours seems expensive. In that sense your competition is not just the other RIB opperators, but the other people offering "family entertainment". I don't have a "silver bullet" solution to this - but is there somewhere (like an island ideal for picnics, with lots of birdlife etc) you can take people drop them off and come back and pick them up a few hours later? Suddenly £100 is for a "full day's" activity but actually costs you no (or little) more. Another possibility is family tickets at a discount - if your boat would otherwise be full then that is eating into profits and daft, but if the boat is only half full and convinces other people to pay something then it might be better.

Finally is there a lesson to learn from Easyjet? If you book your ticket far in advance then you get it cheaper (but risk the weather and that if your plans change you loose your money) but if its on a nice sunny weekend day in the height of summer then the "on the day" price may be much higher. You could probably take the Ryan air approach and break the cost down into separate chunks - a boarding fee, a booking fee, a lifejacket hire etc - but whilst this gives you an attractive headline figure in the end you just feel cheated and doesn't build up an image of a "high value trip out". People accept it from Ryan air because its functional transport - rather than an enjoyable experience.

C2 RIBS · 02 May 2010, 09:56

Steve, glad you are up and running.
On a totally different angle under operations I suppose, I notice the young lad kitted out, do you have a height restriction and a need for an adult to be with children?

Also who makes is the kids lifejacket?

Steve_B · 02 May 2010, 15:28

Polwart, thanks for comment and worthy of consideration. We do family deals, such that the last family in the pictures, we did not charge for the smallest child, in effect they got 5 for 4. That resulted in the figure you mentioned and at the end of the trip, they said it was worth every penny and are coming back down from London in two weeks with the intention of filling the boat.

Ian, our policy is a minimum age of 6, but each child is assessed individually as age is not always a guide as to height/weight. So heres the crunch, the child you mention was 5 and smaller than I would have ordinarily have allowed. This would have prevented the family going. I put the responsibility on the parents and insisted that they sit at the back with a parent behind and one along side. The crew did a fabulous job in catering for this and indeed terminated the tour at Swanage due to the building swell and instead ran them along the beaches of Poole and Bournemouth. The little guy was a star and held on throughout, with a smile from ear to ear. The footstraps/styrups worked very well.

Junior Life jackets (and adults) from parmaris, very good service from them.

Steve

Andre · 04 May 2010, 12:20

We managed to get to Poole on Monday but sadly the weather was not the best but Monday was probably the best day of the whole Bank Holiday weekend.

Steve G and I secured tickets on SeaSafari 1 for the 12:30 run. The all weather gear which was provided was definitely a must.

Our ladies decided that shopping was a better option for them.

Just after we obtained our tickets a party of Spanish girls took the remaining seats. Steve and I of course took to the "First Class" seating and off we were to explore the Jurasic Coast. I must say that we had been along that stretch of coast many times but never with someone with so much local knowledge. The trip was very enjoyable. Many thanks Steve it was a very educational experience.

I last saw the rib in December and I must say she looks superb. A nice touch with the the pouches containing the safety instructions and booklets with the information about the cruise. Not to mention the bottle of water and of course the goggles without which the sightseeing would not have been the same.
The sound system provided good entertainment and the hailer mounted on the front of the console ensured we could all hear what Steve had to say during our sightseeing tour.