Works begin to replace ageing marina pontoons

Ageing pontoons in two marinas in St Peter Port are to be replaced over the coming weeks, Guernsey Ports has said.

The £300,000 modernisation project was set to start with upgrades to pontoon systems in the north-east corner of the Victoria Marina, which provides safe berthing for visiting vessels, project leaders said.

This was due to be followed by the replacement of the U pontoon in Albert Marina, which accommodates a small number of local moorings for larger vessels, they added.

Head of port operations Kieran Higgs said they were the highest priority pontoons to replace as they dated back to the 1970s "and have reached the end of their design life".

Higgs said the works would take eight weeks to complete and were part of a rolling programme of pontoon replacement.

"This will provide secure berthing and modern facilities for boat owners for decades to come," he added.

The projects follow about £2.5m worth of investment in marina infrastructure during the last two years, which has involved replacing about 200 marina berths across the local and visitor marinas.

Higgs said the new pontoon systems would provide new electrical infrastructure, water supply and safety lighting along the walkways.

He added full replacement was more cost-effective than continued maintenance due to the advanced age and condition of the current facilities.

The Victoria Marina replacement works were expected to be completed by early May and the Albert Marina works by the end of May, he said.

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