Hardstand - Vuda Marina Fiji
There was a new problem however, we still had no power. In desperation and at a cost, we called Niraj from Summer Electrical who was brilliant, thankfully coming to our aid to assist us in connecting power at the hardstand position on a late Saturday afternoon. He provided us with additional temporary extension cables to get power to the fridges and for the trades, we had organised.
For Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday morning, we continuously asked staff to please have one of our rear jacks moved forward 100mm to allow full access to the saildrive for cleaning and painting. While everyone said “yes, yes, yes' or 'I’ll tell them', nothing happened. As a result, the trade we had organised for this Saturday, left for the day with only half the work being done.
The front line staff are fantastic group of people and the BIGGEST ASSET to the Vuda Marina business. Always happy, smiling and trying their very best. The haul-out staff told us 'You need anything? Come and see us’, which we did on at least a dozen times to no avail.
It appears that frontline staff are only able to make a decision if directed by their Superiors. It wasn't until we frustratingly escalated the issue (via a Contractor) that something got done about moving the jack. After 3 ½ days of requests, we finally had the stand moved forward 100mm by a Manager, the same person that was at the haul-out in the Amarok.
While standing in this Managers immediate vicinity, we were surprised that no attempt was made to engage with us, the paying client. In fact, he did an about-face and disappeared as fast as he arrived.
Some of Vuda Marina's approved onsite contractors have been difficult to deal with. We can only suspect this is because they are so busy, only picking and choosing who, how, and what gets done. While we are trying to support Vuda Marina's recommended service providers, only 50% that we contacted, met expectations.
Ravi, from Revmarine was the biggest disappointment. Being time-critical, we pro-actively organised a week before haul-out for Revmarine’s 'Raymarine electrician' to meet with us. He never showed up. In fact, didn't even return our calls prior to or, on that day. After our third attempt of trying to track him down on the Tuesday after midday at his onsite office, one of his staff told us he was at a 'religious event’. Ravi chose this particular date (Tuesday), not us.
Ravi did eventually show up at 16:55 on Wednesday evening, two days before launch saying ‘sorry, he had shoulder problems’. We suspect he only showed up because we complained to Jashinta (a fantastic Manager from Vuda Marina Office).
Sadly, the Raymarine part I needed from Revmarine, had to be flown from New Zealand and as the paying customer, expect professional, prompt, and courteous service. That 20-minute job was worth F$6120, was promptly completed by Boabab Marine at Denarau.
The third onsite contractor were contacted at Vuda Marina was overpriced, so they too did not get our business, another F$9000 that is going elsewhere.
After some careful thought, we have decided to also cancel our second stay planned for mid-September 2024 and go to Denarau Marina instead.
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To be fair...our experience paints a gloomy non-positive experience. The social side of Vuda Marina, their staff, restaurants and bars is very positive, excellent in fact.
Additionally, there is positive feedback about the Vuda Marina and facilities (non-hardstand), from good friends that were using them at the time.
