Sneds
Well-Known Member
+1
Watchet Closed
- Thread starter ribdriver
- Start date
PCUK
Well-Known Member
+2 What a stupid unhelpful comment!:ambivalence:
sarabande
Well-Known Member
Part of any organisation, such as a marina, relies on a constant flow of information from management to the customers. I think Watchet, my local harbour, has been doing this well, and it matters not a whit what means is employed to get the news out.
I suspect that by posting a the name behind an ID without the owner's permission you are breaking an implied or contractual commitment.
I suggest that you edit or delete your thread.
Last edited:
Allan
Well-Known Member
Unfortunately, yourself and another member have chosen to copy the original post and ensure it stays on here, unedited, forever!
It would be interesting to know if the previous incident of a big heavy Moody hitting the gate contributed to the problem.
Allan
sarabande
Well-Known Member
point taken, Allen 
I have edited mine ...
I have edited mine ...
wakeup
Well-Known Member
What a TWONK!
andyjones27atlantic
that is...
andyjones27atlantic
that is...
donm
Well-Known Member
Just received this from our Club Secretary. Hope that they are successful - I like Watchet and the Marina people and they deserve our support
Watchet Marina Tidal Gate Update
As of 23rd September plans are ongoing for removing the tidal gate for repairs before it can be re-instated.
The current situation is that one of the hinge supports has broken off the gate structure, causing the gate to drop and twist on its remaining hinge and hydraulic operating ram. This is a serious structural failure.
The gate will need to be removed for repairs and it is this that is causing us the biggest headache and delays. The gate weighs 7 Tonnes and is over 30m away from the nearest land point – which is not suitable for siting a mobile crane on. As such we are having to look at different options, some of which are quite specialist. It is likely that a floating crane of some sort may be used.
The timescales will revolve around the availability of whichever company and method is used, as well as the tides. Obviously safety will play a very large part in this operation and is a key consideration for us.
In the meantime a maintenance gate is being used to maintain impounded water levels within the marina. Part of this gate can be removed to broaden the tidal access window but it is only being lifted on a pre-arranged basis during daylight hours – this system was never designed for continual use. Thus far we have managed to keep vessel movements going at about 90% of original levels.
The traffic lights are set to permanent red and there are underwater obstructions within the gateway. Therefore it is imperative that people wishing to access or exit the marina contact the marina office before commencing a voyage.
If the full maintenance gate is in place the height above CD is approx. 8m and there will underwater obstructions. If the upper section has been removed the height will be approx. 6.3m above CD. Again prior communication with the marina on 01984 631264 or 07969 138938 is essential.
Watchet Harbour Marina Ltd apologise for this situation. We are very aware that whilst we do not know what has caused this, we need to get the gate operational as soon as possible and will endeavour to do so.
James Burnell
Marina Manager
Watchet Marina Tidal Gate Update
As of 23rd September plans are ongoing for removing the tidal gate for repairs before it can be re-instated.
The current situation is that one of the hinge supports has broken off the gate structure, causing the gate to drop and twist on its remaining hinge and hydraulic operating ram. This is a serious structural failure.
The gate will need to be removed for repairs and it is this that is causing us the biggest headache and delays. The gate weighs 7 Tonnes and is over 30m away from the nearest land point – which is not suitable for siting a mobile crane on. As such we are having to look at different options, some of which are quite specialist. It is likely that a floating crane of some sort may be used.
The timescales will revolve around the availability of whichever company and method is used, as well as the tides. Obviously safety will play a very large part in this operation and is a key consideration for us.
In the meantime a maintenance gate is being used to maintain impounded water levels within the marina. Part of this gate can be removed to broaden the tidal access window but it is only being lifted on a pre-arranged basis during daylight hours – this system was never designed for continual use. Thus far we have managed to keep vessel movements going at about 90% of original levels.
The traffic lights are set to permanent red and there are underwater obstructions within the gateway. Therefore it is imperative that people wishing to access or exit the marina contact the marina office before commencing a voyage.
If the full maintenance gate is in place the height above CD is approx. 8m and there will underwater obstructions. If the upper section has been removed the height will be approx. 6.3m above CD. Again prior communication with the marina on 01984 631264 or 07969 138938 is essential.
Watchet Harbour Marina Ltd apologise for this situation. We are very aware that whilst we do not know what has caused this, we need to get the gate operational as soon as possible and will endeavour to do so.
James Burnell
Marina Manager
peterhull
Well-Known Member
It needs someone with lots of dosh (maybe a Russian oligarch!!) to invest in Watchet Marina who has boat owners needs at heart not development cash in mind.
In the long run the marina needs expanding and then a sea lock installing like Portishead to keep the silt out.
It is no use letting the suspended solids settle out in the marina then have to use a lot of machinery time and labour to clear it out.
One estimate given is that 40 tons of mud settles daily in the harbour.
The current dredger is grossly inefficient in the way it uses energy to clear the mud, it cannot be sustainable in my view.
In the long run the marina needs expanding and then a sea lock installing like Portishead to keep the silt out.
It is no use letting the suspended solids settle out in the marina then have to use a lot of machinery time and labour to clear it out.
One estimate given is that 40 tons of mud settles daily in the harbour.
The current dredger is grossly inefficient in the way it uses energy to clear the mud, it cannot be sustainable in my view.
Earendil-uk
Well-Known Member
Another vote against your post, in fact stupid ,ill though out and counter productive.
Mind you I doubt he will post again (please)
Old Rhodie
Active Member
Yes - a nice place to go and our members would certainly miss it if it were to close. Running a marina on a channel with 11 metre tides is a brave undertaking, with few examples to learn from. The overheads must be colossal because of the silting problem.
ken
ken
bendyone
Well-Known Member
This happened in Calais 6? years ago. The hinge on the lock gate came away from the wall, They then shut the gate and arranged for it to be opened once a month over the winter ( they refunded all our mooring costs for this time). They then fitted a cill to the entrance which worked for 5 years while they repaired the gates. All working this summer. Cant rush a good job