More than 200 visiting vessels sailed into Arbroath over the summer as the marina continues to thrive, according to new figures.
At their summer meeting, the Arbroath Harbour Joint Consultative Committee discussed the activities of the harbour over the last months.
It was reported the harbour continues to be busy over many fronts, all very positive and working within budget.
The harbour’s 53 pontoon berths are full with a waiting list of 42 names.
When a berth becomes available names are taken from the top of the list in the harbour office.
Six visitor berths are also available and 230 visiting craft came to Arbroath over the summer.
This was slightly down (by 3%) over the same period last year, but visiting yachts tended to stay in the harbour for longer periods than in previous years.
Committee convener Councillor Bob Spink welcomed this trend and viewed it as some recognition of the welcoming nature of the harbour and its staff and interest in the wider attractions Arbroath has to offer.
A total of 13 summer berths were also granted from April/September this year in the “lazy hole” area of the outer harbour.
The harbour master is currently compiling a list of boats seeking winter berths for the end of this year.
Mr Spink said: “On the harbour facility side, there was great enthusiasm among members when the arrival of a new boat hoist on June 16 was noted.
“Works are going on at the moment to allow movement of the hoist from the slipway to the storage area and vice-versa.
“Full training will also be done before the hoist can become operational. The finance for the hoist, which cost £150,000, was provided 50-50 between Angus Council and the European Fisheries Fund.
“Provision of this hoist will allow further development of the harbour facilities, extra work for the boatyard, and encourage visiting vessels to Arbroath, as well as providing extra revenue to the harbour.”
When a marina was initially suggested, many people said it would never work on the east coast, but almost as soon as the first pontoons were put in they were full.
When extra pontoons were put in they immediately filled up as well.