Sailors warned of berthing scam

Chris Chandler (inset) is advising people to check with marinas before parting with money for berth rental after he was scammed out of €3,500 for a berth rental at Port La Napoule

- Chris Chandler

A sailor who was a victim of a berthing scam in France is advising fellow yacht owners to check with the marina that the berth is available before parting with any money.

Chris Chandler from Yorkshire thought he had secured the rental of a berth at Mandelieu-la-Napoule in the Bay of Cannes for one year, and had paid the €3,500 upfront fee.

But when he arrived at Port La Napoule aboard his Najad 361, staff knew nothing about the arrangement.

‘Marina staff were visibly shocked when I explained my situation,’ explained Chandler, who has kept the boat in the Mediterranean for the last 12 years.