Under a new master plan, the UK south coast port of Poole stands to significantly increase its yachting facilities over the next five years. With an investment well over £20m, the plan includes two new marinas and the provision of a new cruise ship mooring system that could also be used by visiting superyachts.
Port to Poole and the Poole Harbour
Both marinas will include berths for superyacht-sized vessels. By the start of the 2011 season, the Poole Harbour Commissioner (PHC) hopes to have in place a new 55-berth ‘mini’ marina so that it can be ready for the 2012 Olympics. This addition will cost some £800,000 and planning approval is hoped for by September. It will have a number of berths for yachts over 30m (98ft). This marina will be owned and operated by the port.
The second marina is a proposed £20m 800-berth facility that will be located at Hamworthy, past Poole yacht club. Jim Stewart, chief executive of PHC, told IBI: “Although there are a number marinas already in the Poole area there is still a shortage of berths. This project is in its early stages and is currently out to consultation. We need to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment and we would hope to be ready to go for a harbour revision order early in 2012. The marina will take about two years to build.”
As to the funding, the PHC is currently looking at a number of options but has not made a final decision.
“Both the marina will include berths for larger yachts because there is a shortage of berthing for them on the south coast,” he added. In addition to the mini marina, the port’s new cruise ship mooring system, which will offer a 200m (656ft) space between two buoys and 7.5m (25ft) of water depth, could also be used by superyachts.
