St Peter Port Harbour escaped the worst of Storm Goretti, but some damage has been reported including to boats, the car check in booths, pontoons, and mooring lines.
With the storm bring F12 west/north westerly winds to our door, the harbour on Guernsey’s east coast was somewhat sheltered from the very worst of the gusts.
Critical infrastructure across all of the island’s harbours and marinas has “remained largely intact” said a spokesperson for Guernsey Ports. However, some harbour facilities were damaged.
Acting Harbour Master James Way said harbour and marina teams started inspecting the damage at 06:00 and have been prioritising repairs to facilities and infrastructure based on risk and operational need.
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Damage to pontoons and mooring lines is generally minor, but widespread, with several boats needing to be moved to alternative berths temporarily so that repairs can take place, he said.
No boats have sunk or capsized, however boat owners have been advised to check their vessels, when they are able to do so safely.
Express understands that some boat owners have found damage when checking their vessel today including broken windows and canopies.
Mr Way said anyone checking their boats today should be careful and should wear a lifejacket.
“Our main priority has been the safety of people and infrastructure during these severe weather conditions,” he said.
“Since 6am this morning, our teams have been assessing the damage”
“Due to the direction of the winds, our harbour infrastructure has escaped the worst of it. That said, like others across the Island, we have been faced with a significant clean-up operation.
“Since 6am this morning, our teams have been assessing the damage, carrying out extensive safety checks, and securing any loose or damaged items that could have posed a risk to safety. We are currently focussed on restoring essential infrastructure, such as the vehicle check-in booths and damage sustained to the Inter-Island Quay.
“Our frontline teams working across the harbours and marinas have been faced with a significant clean-up operation. Their professionalism and dedication in preparing for the forecast conditions and responding to the storm’s aftermath has been fantastic.”
No ferry or freight services today
There are no ferry or freight services operating today, and harbour teams are working to restore at least one vehicle check-in booth ahead of Saturday’s scheduled sailings.
Travel Trident cancelled all of its sailings today, while Sark Shipping has cancelled the 15:00 boat from Guernsey to Sark today, as well as the 16:00 return.
Both are currently planning to run services as scheduled over the weekend.
Flights resumed at both Guernsey and Alderney airports by 09:00 today, after safety inspections were carried out at both.
Guernsey Airport saw minor damage on its airfield overnight, with no reported damage to the terminal.
Serious damage at Alderney Airport
Alderney Airport suffered more serious damage, after part of a door on a privately-owned hangar was dislodged by the wind. This resulted in significant debris across the airfield, which had to be cleared by the airport’s operations teams before flying could recommence.
Guernsey Ports Airport Director, Richard Thomasson, said the severe weather contingency plan had been successfully enacted, and had limited disruption to air travel.
“Once the severe weather was forecast it was clear the wind conditions yesterday evening would be well outside safe operation limits,” he explained. “So we worked swiftly with our airline partners and other operators and service providers to ensure the suspension of flight operations was managed smoothly and the services were able to resume as early as possible today.
“I am extremely grateful to our staff in both Guernsey and Alderney, many of whom were mobilised by 5.30am to inspect the aerodromes for damage and begin the significant clear-up operation. That was vital to the prompt resumption of services.
“We plan for such eventualities but on the rare occasions that we have to put those plans into effect it is very pleasing to see everything work so well. My thanks go to all our staff, the airlines, and our other service operators and partners for their support and assistance which has kept the inevitable disruption to a minimum.”
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