Our local marina's crackdown on van showers has ignited a heated discussion about resource sharing
I'm based in a harbor town where the public marina recently started enforcing strict rules against using their outdoor shower facilities for anything but boaters, specifically calling out van lifers who've been sneaking in for a rinse. One faction in our community argues it's a necessary boundary to preserve resources for paying slip holders, who fund the maintenance through fees, and they point to clogged drains from sand and hair as a real issue. The other side, which I lean towards, sees it as a failure of hospitality and a missed chance for integration, especially since many of us patronize the adjacent fish market and cafes daily. Just last Thursday, I watched a ranger ask a couple washing dishes from their Promaster to leave, and it felt unnecessarily confrontational for a place that's otherwise welcoming. This has spilled over into online forums, with some advocating for a nominal day-pass system, while others insist on a hardline to prevent abuse. Personally, I've always tried to be discreet and leave the area spotless, but now I'm rethinking my whole hygiene setup. Where do you all stand on balancing community resources with the needs of mobile builders, and has your area found a workable solution?