Efforts to trim the waiting list for a marina berth are working.
Guernsey Ports recently contacted everyone on the waiting list to confirm they still want to be on it, while offering them a £50 refund on their application fee if they choose to withdraw before 24 March.
As of Monday of this week the waiting list stood at 190 applicants, and Guernsey Ports Assistant Harbour Master Kieran Higgs confirmed that three people have already accepted £50 in exchange for their names being deleted.
Assistant Harbour Master Higgs also confirmed that from 1 April any new applicants to the waiting list will pay £76 – up from the current £71 fee.
He said that the current waiting list approach, which was introduced in 2021, has been assessed and “at this time, there is no perceived requirement to revise the current waiting list approach”.
“We are satisfied that it continues to function effectively,” he said.
“To maintain accurate records, Guernsey Ports regularly contacts those on the waiting list,” the Assistant Harbour Master explained.
“In our recent correspondence, we offered a refund of £50.00 to individuals who no longer wish to remain on the waiting list or whose circumstances have changed since their initial registration.
“This initiative assists us in ensuring our records are up to date and reflective of current demand.”
The refund offer was sent to waiting list applicants along with a missive to current berth-holders confirmed the new fees they will pay from 1 April.
Assistant Harbour Master Higgs also confirmed that other work is ongoing to ensure the marina space is managed efficiently.
This includes efforts to remove abandoned vessels and to upgrade pontoons and other equipment when necessary.
“In addition to managing the waiting list, the Marine Services Team continues to pursue marina optimisation strategies,” he explained. “Significant progress has been made in recent years to enhance berth availability.
“Since 2021, we have undertaken an initiative to identify and remove unseaworthy or abandoned vessels, resulting in the freeing up of approximately 50 moorings, which has helped us to meet some of the demand.
“Furthermore, during facility upgrades and pontoon replacements, we consistently review opportunities to create additional or more suitable berths through improved mooring configurations.”