Poor old Watchet again

OK so they haven't dredged the berths yet then. It buggered up our loo last time we were there. The mud gets drawn into the intakes, I hate to think what it did for our leg. I won't be going back to Watchet until I know there will be clear water under the boat at all times.
 
I was told on Monday that they had two dredgers working. I will there at the weekend and see what it is like now. Apparently the new dredger is impressive when working. If they succeed with their efforts it will be great to start enjoying the town of Watchet again. If only Minehead would make similar efforts!
Allan
 
If you look at the third photo you will see the new dredger working.

What you see is the level of impounded water (and mud). It just goes to show how bad the situation had got.:(

Paul
 
PCUK said:
Trick is to close inlet and flush toilet with fresh water when on the mud. No problem at all! and if your outdrive is a bit of a wimp, stick a plastic bag over the inlet before you dry out.
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Thanks but I'd prefer to just stay away until sorted. Though the village is nice, it is a pity really.
 
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paul.norton said:
Has the silting problem at Watchet been resolved yet?

The last I heard, can't remember where from, was that the Environment Agency were preventing the marina operators from dumping the silt back into the Channel!!!

Surely this cannot be true - can it?:mad:

Paul
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The MMO (http://www.marinemanagement.org.uk/) handle dredge licensing not the EA so surprising if thats the case.
 
well they were dredging and dumping it when i was there so it looks like no ones stopping anything..

it says about a year to sort it on their noticeboards around the marina.

the hammerheads are fine, just ask for a berth that stays afloat, and to be fair you should'nt be flushin in there...
 
solitaire11 said:
well they were dredging and dumping it when i was there so it looks like no ones stopping anything..

it says about a year to sort it on their noticeboards around the marina.

the hammerheads are fine, just ask for a berth that stays afloat, and to be fair you should'nt be flushin in there...
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No I was using holding tank but water in take was from the seacock then out to holding tank not overboard , another reason not to go, don't want my holding tank filling up with silt.
 
To return to the thread - I've just returned from a very pleasant afternoon out at Watchet (By road). Delightful weather, jazz band and hog roast on the Esplanade and lots of visiting boats.

It is the first time I have seen the mud at this level and it is, I agree, very bad. However, they have now have two dredgers. One is a barge with a 360 degree excavator on the front while the other is an IMS 7012 Versi dredge. Look up http://www.imsdredge.com/7012HP-About.htm and I think you will agree that with that working for a few months, the problems should be much reduced. If, when constructing the marine, the Washford River had still been allowed to flow through the harbour, siliting problems would have been much easier to deal with.:mad:

Paul
 
I spent the weekend at Watchet for the BCYA English rally. For whatever reason the silting is far worse than I have seen in all the years I have been going there. When the gate is closed it looks like the gate has failed!
I could not leave until half an hour before high water. Luckily there was just enough wind to make it a good sail against the tide to Cardiff.
I wish the company that owns the marina all the best but won't be paying their extortionate rates until they deliver on their promises.
Allan
 
I wish the company that owns the marina all the best but won't be paying their extortionate rates until they deliver on their promises.

I think that's a bit strong - especially given the heavily discounted prices the BCYA boats paid at the weekend!

If they were sat there not dredging then fair enough, but clearly that's not the case. It's got to be paid for somehow.
 
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