After over 30 years of operation Bristol Marina boatyard’s operation is under threat. Bristol City Council wish to vary its land occupation in favour of a new initiative for the Graving dock.
“This will result in almost 40% of prime usable boatyard space being no longer available,” says Davina Lund of Bristol Marina. ” The land lost is the most essential area for the handling of large vessels and it cannot be duplicated anywhere else on our site.”
“The present operation has always been hampered for space and much more so in recent times with demand leaning towards our maximum of 75 feet and 50 tons. If these proposals are implemented we estimate there will be no capacity to accommodate vessels of over approximately 45 feet owing to the very large area required for manoeuvring space of the 50 ton boat hoist.
“The resulting downturn in both boatyard and lifting income will make our business unviable,” Davina continues. “And that will lead to a loss of service to our many commercial and private boat owners who will be unable to find any similar alternative service. There would also be a serious threat to the emergency services which we have maintained for Bristol’s wider floating harbour.”
The marina is asking people to log onto www.saveourboatyard.co.uk to sign their petition.