Boaties caught up in Bayview Marina crisis eviction stoush left with nowhere to go

AROUND 20 boaties in Darwin’s Bayview Marina – including some who live aboard their boats – have been issued eviction notices from their berths, with those impacted saying they may have nowhere else to go because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Keith Tanner and around 20 other boaties are being evicted from their berths at the Bayview Marina on a technicality. Picture: Che Chorley

AROUND 20 boaties in Darwin’s Bayview Marina – including some who live aboard their boats – have been issued eviction notices from their berths, with those impacted saying they may have nowhere else to go because of COVID-19 restrictions.

In an email sent to the berth occupiers, seen by the NT News, North Management – the manager of the marina – advised them on April 3 that they must vacate the berth they are moored in within 14 days as their boats are “oversized in comparison to (the) berth size”.

However, a marina resident in his 70s, who didn’t want to be named, said boat size had never been an issue before.

“It pisses me off because I’ve been here three years living aboard … it (the size) didn’t come up when I bought the berth,” he said.

“Other people have been here five to six years and had their boat moored and all of a sudden they come up with this.”

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He said he is now essentially losing his home.

“I can move into another berth and pay over $1000 a month rent … which I can’t afford on a pension,” he said.

“I own this berth, this is my home.”

Another marina resident, Keith Tanner, has taken the issue up with North Management, saying COVID-19 travel and financial restrictions will make it even more difficult for the evicted boaties.

“I don’t understand why they’re doing it and why they’re doing it now,” Mr Tanner said.

“My understanding is that, mainly because of financial considerations (as a result of COVID-19) is that a landlord cannot evict a client. Why should it be different because someone lives on a boat?”

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Mr Tanner said he had been issued with an eviction notice as his boat is 4cm over-size.

He told the NT News he had not received a response from North Management to an email he sent them outlining his concerns.

At time of publication, North Management had not responded to the NT News’ request for comment.