When was the list at La Collette Marina closed for new vessels wanting to moor, and is the Harbour Department reviewing the waiting list for all marinas, in what way

2.5  The Deputy of St. John of the Minister for Economic Development regarding the mooring list at La Collette Marina:

Can Members be told when the list at La Collette Marina was closed for new vessels

wanting to moor, and would the Minister advise whether the Harbour Department is

reviewing the waiting list for all marinas, and if so, would he explain in what way?

Senator P.F. Routier (Assistant Minister for Economic Development -

rapporteur):

The waiting list for La Collette Marina was closed for new vessels wanting a berth in October 2004. The latest review of the waiting list was conducted in February this year. A letter was sent to all those on the waiting list, excluding the pre-2004 La Collette list, inviting them to update Jersey Harbours with their up-to-date requirements in case they have changed. An advert has been placed in the J.E.P. (Jersey Evening Post)  and will be run again prior to the Southampton, Paris and London boat shows, inviting those considering buying a boat to add their name to the general marina waiting list. I am very grateful to the Deputy for spending some time with me and the Minister a few weeks ago to review all the marina waiting lists, and also the letter that has been sent out to those on the waiting list.

1. The Deputy of St. John :

In my supplementary, would the Minister repeat, please, the date that the original waiting list was closed? I will go on and put a supplementary. Given that the La Collette Marina is the only marina with 24-hour access, how big is or was the waiting list when it closed? Given that a list existed means a demand for 24-hour marina access is a priority. What action has the department taken to allow the list to be reopened and are there plans to increase permanent deepwater berths across all areas of St. Helier Harbour?

Senator P.F. Routier:

There are a few questions there. I am not aware how big the waiting list was when it was closed, but certainly I do recognise that there is a desire by many people to be in the deepwater marina. We do recognise that ... we are trying to do our best to find a

mechanism. We have got a plan we are working on to increase the number of berths, not only in the deepwater section, but also in the St. Helier Marina itself to ensure that more people are able to have a mooring that they require. I have to say, we do have a waiting list which is very long for all sizes of berths and it has been ... since we had such a successful boat show this year, there are a lot of people who are wanting to get on to the waiting list and wanting mooring space. We are working on a plan to increase the number of berths and we hope to bring that forward in the next year or so.

2. The Deputy of St. John :

I asked the Minister if he could give me the actual date when the original marina list was closed. But while I am on my feet, with the intake of 35-metre yachts into St. Helier Marina, thereby reducing the number of smaller moorings, how does the

Minister hope to expand on this most lucrative trade for the Island, given that it is

good business for the economy, but at the same time reducing space for smaller craft? Where are the displaced craft going to go?

Senator P.F. Routier:

I am sorry that I cannot give the answer to the question with regard to when the marina list was closed. I did not have any notice of that question, but I can find out for the Deputy . As I said, there is a need for more marina berths. What we are looking at is a plan to reconfigure the whole of the existing pontoons to make best use

as we possibly can. There is a plan that is being devised which may move to use the

number 4 and number 5 berth, further down the marina, which is outside the existing

St. Helier Marina walls, to allow us to take larger vessels. But we accept that there is

a need for more marina spaces and we are doing our best to increase those.

3. Connétable P.F.M. Hanning of St. Saviour :

Is the Minister, or Assistant Minister, aware that because the vast majority of marina berths are tidal, additional space is needed for boats to wait in safety before they can get access to their berths? At the moment we are desperately short of space on number 5 and if that space is going to be used for bringing in larger boats then there will be virtually nowhere that vessels can wait in safety.

Senator P.F. Routier:

I appreciate that. Within the draft plans, which are being drawn up, there is an area

put aside for people waiting to get into the tidal berths. We do recognise that that is

the case.

The Bailiff :

Very well. I think we ...

The Deputy of St. John :

Usually, a Member has a chance to put the final question ... The Bailiff :

There are quite a few, Deputy , but all right. One more.

4. The Deputy of St. John :

If new deeper water berthing is to take place in the main harbour, this in itself brings income into Jersey. Have the Council of Ministers given their support to this excellent money-raising project? If not, why not? Are the Council dragging their feet at a time of the recession? Further to this, I would presume all user groups have been given a presentation on your proposed mooring plan. In general, have they been supportive? Thank you.

Senator P.F. Routier:

I thank the Deputy for his continued support for ... I know this is a passion of his,

boating, and the need to have more mooring spaces. The plans that we have drawn up in draft have been shared with the users of the harbour and, in general, they have been very supportive. There are some people who are concerned about some of the heritage issues around the harbour, which we are trying to make sure that the heritage is maintained.

The Deputy of St. John :

Are the Council of Ministers supportive? Senator P.F. Routier:

Of course the plans will require some funding, but as a trading department, we do have to try and manage these things within our own funding. We have not taken it to the Council of Ministers yet, but I would be very surprised that they would not support us in trying to make sure that our assets in the harbour are used effectively.