Know Your Neighbours: Issue 2

The British boating community is something we should all be proud of.Here at Aquacote we celebrate the idiosyncratic nature of our harbours and marinas.

In this issue of ‘Know Your Neighbours’, we focus on two very different marinas that have both achieved an incredible 5 Gold Anchor rating.

Waveney River Centre 

This 150-berth marina is particularly interesting due to its location on the Norfolk Broads. Its 3 separate marinas basins are all part of the largely River Centre establishment, which includes hospitality for park holidaymakers. Arguably, being part of a complex could take away from the authentic community boating spirit, though the facilities provided by the Centre benefit mariners with resources that would be otherwise difficult to come by considering its location.

As well as boasting a 2,500 ft² boat-building and service centre, the marina complex was awarded the PBO Green Award in 2010, and the park won the David Bellamy Conservation Award in 2012/13. If that wasn’t enough, you can even watch the marina live via Waveney’s ‘Eddiecam’, at http://www.waveneyrivercentre.co.uk/eddiecam. They really have though of it all!

Lowestoft Haven Marina

Lowestoft has a more conventional setup in the form ofits coastal marina, as well as an extension about 2 miles inland. The Haven Marina holds upwards of 150 berths, and as members of Trans Europe Marinas, berth-holders enjoy reciprocal visitor discounts when visiting another member marina.

The harbour site offers all expected facilities including a chandlery, and waste facilities following the Maritime & Coastguard Agency approved Port Waste Management Plan. Recycling services cater for the responsible disposal of waste oil, as well as a service for used batteries and for domestic dry mixed recycling items.

With access to beautiful East Anglian beaches, an on-site restaurant, workshop, and boat sales offices, it isn’t difficult to see why Lowestoft was reaccredited its 5 Gold Anchor rating in 2010.

Want to your marina or harbour to feature in the next issue? Tweet us @Aquacote using the hashtag #KnowYourNeighbour.

 

Know Your Neighbours: Issue 1

The sense of community that exists is one of the best things about the boating world. No matter how many big brand supermarkets pop up near your home, marinas and harbours remain individual and independent.

Just like the owners that use them, marinas and harbours have their own unique personalities and plus points. To show our appreciation of these small-scale societies, we’ve created the ‘Know Your Neighbours’ feature. By focusing on a couple of the UK and Ireland’s harbours every week, we want to really get to know the groups that keep boating so great – we hope you will to.

Chichester Harbour

In the past, Chichester has had a run of bad press due to excessive fouling in its waters. However, the area’s glorifying features overshadow this small negative. Not only does the harbour lie within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but it is also home to ‘Solar Heritage’, a fascinating solar-powered catamaran. The virtually silent boat is the perfect vessel to discover the surrounding landscape and wildlife.

A number of initiatives exist to promote and preserve the unspoilt natural character of Chichester, including the Chichester Harbour Trust, and Chichester Harbour Conservancy.

Whitstable Harbour

The community spirit at Whitstable is no less than admirable. Home to the Hands Off Our Harbour campaign, through which 18,000 local people fought to prevent supermarket and hotel chains from settling in their town. Whitstable also boasts the 1,500-strong Whitstable Harbour Watch, meaning that members directly influence the future of their local gem.

As well as protecting it, the local people also do a great job of celebrating their harbour. The Oyster Festival and Biennale is a great demonstration of the local passion, which holds Harbour Day as the main event. 

Want us to feature your harbour or marina? Just tweet us @Aquacote. To find out more about Aquacote, visit our website at www.aqua-cote.com.