An Angus marina has seen a slump in visiting vessels, despite a long waiting list for permanent berths.
The number of boats stopping off at Arbroath Harbour has dropped by 15% over the last year, according to new figures released by the facility’s Joint Consultative Committee (AHJCC).
A total of 251 craft visited the port in the financial year 2011-12, compared with a bumper 297 the previous year.
Port officials believe the UK’s financial climate has played a part in the reduction, coupled with the poor summer weather.
Performance in previous years had been encouraging, showing a steady rise in visitors.
In 2007-08, harbour staff saw 170 craft visiting the marina, with that figure increasing by 6% the following year and then rising to 224 in 2009-10 and 297 in 2010-11.
Alex Smith, who runs fishing and sightseeing trips from the harbour, said last year’s downturn shouldn’t cause any concern.
He added: ”I don’t think it is that bad and it has to be taken in a broader context. If you look back over the past five years we are still up on the number of boats that have visited.
”We didn’t have good weather last year, so that would have played a part, but it has to come to a saturation point some time. The numbers have been going up every year for the last five years and that can’t keep happening forever.”
In a report to AHJCC, Angus Council director of infrastructure services Eric Lowson said: ”Members will be aware that the numbers of visiting vessels had been increasing over the last four years. It is hoped the decrease in numbers over the last 12 months will be a short-term situation only.”
Continued…
The uptake of pontoon berths at the marina continues to remain at maximum occupancy, with 53 annual and six visitor spots available. A waiting list of up to 50 names is kept on a database with the council’s roads division staff in Forfar and when a berth is freed up, the name at the top is first to be offered.
At the start of the year, the department wrote to each person highlighting their position on the waiting list, indicating the number of new berths taken up in the last year and asking if they wanted removed. This prompted several people to take their names off, with the current list now comprising 44 names.
The report to AHJCC details operations at the harbour over the past year, while outlines plans for future programmes of works, and raising currently matters that require attention.
Financially, the harbour as a whole achieved a net underspend of £13,105 in 2011-12.
A formal safety inspection was carried out last year and most minor issues raised have been addressed, the council’s head of roads will seek an allocation of £25,000 to address the more costly items this summer.
The next biennial review of harbour charges is scheduled to be undertaken in autumn 2012 for financial years 2013-14 and 2014-15 and will be subject to consultation with users at that time.
There have been no new pollution or spillage incidents reported and the power and water connections on the original finger pontoons have been renewed following failures in a number of units.
AHJCC plays an important role in the annual Arbroath Seafest and have been represented at several committee meetings as planning gets underway.
This year’s event will be held on the weekend of August 4 and 5 and will see access to the harbour restricted and an entrance charge put in place.
Moves are being made to enhance the harbour’s tourist draw, with council officers asked to prepare a plan which may include advertising, visitor surveys and improved signage, as information for visiting vessels.
The proposal will be linked to the Boating and Sailing Club and other activities such as trips to the Bell Rock.