Bembridge Harbour updates: marina, facilities and depth

Bembridge Harbour Authority has invested in 36 additional finger pontoons (72 berths), which arrived by barge from Portsmouth in early July. 

Installation at Duver Marina – along both sides of the main spine pontoon – will be completed shortly, providing individual berths with direct access to marina facilities without rafting. A second phase of fingers on the inside of the main pontoon is envisaged as drying berths, with installation anticipated in Autumn 2020.

This significant change of emphasis reduces overall visitor capacity by around 15%, but is seen as a necessary step to keep customers and staff as safe as possible in Covid-19 parameters. Rafting will still be available, subject to request and consent in advance, for family groups / social bubbles, and rallies.

A complete refurbishment of the visitor shower and toilet facilities at Duver took place this spring. They’re now open for visiting boats and berth-holders, with Covid-19 safety measures in place.

The refurbishment comes ahead of a new facilities complex to be constructed as soon as planning approval is granted. The new facilities comprise a combination of toilet and shower cubicles, as well as separate units, to maximise the capacity potential of the limited space available.   

“This is an enormous improvement and brings us closer to the standard we want to provide for our customers, and more akin to other marinas and harbours around the Solent. Customers have been delighted,” says Harbour owner, Malcolm Thorpe.

A dredging programme, using a BHA owned dredger for the first time and originally scheduled for April, has just been completed. This has re-established water depths at Bembridge Marina and created a wider access channel to Bembridge Boat Storage, thereby improving efficiency and increasing holding capacity for this expanding business.