A £1 million scheme has been lodged to improve Yarmouth Harbour for commercial fishing vessels. Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners want to build a new pontoon at the eastern end of the harbour to accommodate boat tenders and provide new pontoon berthing for commercial craft, mainly fishing boats, under the project, which is due to begin in the autumn next year, if it is given the green light by members of the Isle of Wight Council planning committee.
It is said that the plan has new shore facilities, including a fuel tank and pump for diesel, as well as a dockside crane and storage area constructed at the harbour. According to the authority leisure boats would also have pontoon berthing along the groyne area, which is currently used by commercial vessels. It is informed that the scheme aims to cope with greater demand of commercial vessels in the West Wight for adequate docking and dockside facilities.
There is positive indication that the provision of pontoons for leisure boats along the groyne would also increase the ability of the harbour to accommodate visiting yachts. A portion of the proposed dockside area would be on land which would be reclaimed by landfill. A section of the pontoon berthing for commercial boats would also have to be drained if the scheme goes ahead.
The Commissioner told that half of the £1m cost of the project would come from the Harbour Commissioners’ funds. The remainder of the cash would be match funded by the European Union’s Marine Fisheries Agency, if the scheme is approved. Chris Lisher, CEO and harbourmaster for Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners, opined that there is a need to create new facilities for the fishing boats which make it easier and safer to berth and to create a bigger storage area.
