NEWS FROM THE MARINA

Dredging

This is the topic on most peoples’ lips at the moment. I would like assure everyone that we are as frustrated as everyone else that the dredging has not been completed. At present there has been a plough dredger to level the channel and twice the sounds man has been surveying the channel.

We are not aware of any major problems that may have stopped the work from progressing but unfortunately no matter how many calls to the port we make we don’t seem to be able to hurry the work along.

However as I write this I can see the dredger in the channel ploughing the bar between the outer piers. This will enable the suction dredger to come into the channel and finish the job.

Berth Holders Lounge

The lounge is now open and has furniture, a tea and coffee preparation area, TV & Video, computer and soon to have a pool table.

Access to the lounge is from 10am to 9pm, parties by arrangement only. The structure is in need of more buoyancy so no more than 10 people are allowed in at a time at present. We also ask that as this is your lounge please look after it and keep it tidy. (Will the person or persons that have taken the kettle please return it, it belongs to everyone)!!!

Brokerage

The brokerage is now being managed by On-Water. The marina is still involved in the brokerage, but it is now being given the attention it deserves by Matthew & David. Pop in and say hello when you have the chance as they have boats for sale all over the UK and they may have something of interest to you. (See back page for further information).

Yamaha Dealership

We have recently signed up as a Yamaha main dealer for new outboard engines, inflatables & small boats. If you are interested in the Yamaha range of products, pop into the office for information. If you need an outboard engine servicing or repairing then ask for Colin Weatherill at the lock office, he will be all too happy to help.

Boatyard

So far this year the boatyard has lifted out over 200 vessels, and on two occasions we have had to put up ‘yard full’ sign, fortunately this situation only lasted for a few days until some vessels were lifted in. The yard has a capacity of between 40 – 50 boats dependant on size, and I would like to remind everyone when they are booking lifts that they give as much notice as possible. We have had to disappoint some people due to a busy lifting programme. As from October we are taking two main steps to help ease the problems of organising lifts.

1. Anyone who is more than 10 minutes late in bringing their vessel to the hoist bay or preparing their vessel for lifting will have their lift cancelled and they will have to re-book their lift for another date.

2. All Lifts must be booked 24 hours in advance at the lock office.

If your vessel is being painted or anti-fouled while it is still in the hoist, please do not paint the straps of the hoist, as the paint left on the straps can transfer to another vessel or damage the straps. You may be charged for cleaning the straps or for any damage to another vessel.

I would also like to remind everyone that if any owner or contractor engages in painting, spraying, grinding or shot blasting in the yard it is their responsibility to sheet up in order to prevent damage to other vessels.

The boatyard staff were happy to loan out cables to boat yard users but these cables were not returned, out of 30 we have 1 left. Unless the cables are returned then boat yard users will have to provide their own cables.

After the building work in the boatyard we have been left with only two taps in the yard. We have added a further two taps and twelve electric points in the “D” area at the back of the shops. We will try to get the rest of the taps back on over the winter period.

We are happy to lend out hand tools for short term loads but please don’t be offended when we write your name on the board in the office - it is an aid to our memories. Any small jobs i.e. drilling, small welding jobs or grinding, we have the equipment to do them and if we are not too busy we will try to help as much as we can.

Hoist

The hoist has been out of action for just over a week due to an engine repair and a damaged hydraulic pump, which had to be ordered from Italy and fitted by hydraulic engineers, this is the longest that the hoist has been out of action in over 12 years. Any further routine maintenance to the hoist will happen in January and information will be posted at the bridgeheads.