Watchet Silt and Mud Group report mud removal Success

I think (but don't quote me) it's the latter.
They were certainly just not using the tidal gate as no point, and hopefully leaving it open might encourage some silt to flow out.
 
Ti's a shame. I'm new here but I have visited watchet a few times and we were always welcome. Haven't been for years but looking at the webcam it doesn't look very inviting. Good luck for the future watchet.
 
The Onion Collective is spending millions on redevelopment. Hoping to bring visitors to the town. However, no matter how grand they make their buildings, the fact is that very few people are going to want to visit a semi derelict harbour and marina. The opening of the marina revitalised Watchet as many people enjoy looking at boats and watching them coming and going. Without the marina up and running there is no attraction as Watchet was and is a harbour town without beaches or any other significant draw. If the Onion mob can't see this they are not as clever as they think they are. The only way to revive Watchet's fortunes is to bed-rock dredge and then maintain it. This will bring back the visitors both afloat and ashore; and all for the sake of a few hundred thousand, which is a tiny percentage of what Onion will be wasting without the dredge! To paraphrase Sneds. "If you dig it they will come".
 
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So it looks like there is no change at Watchet WHAT A JOKE they keep saying a new dredge is coming in two weeks that was four months ago
 
I see the new dredger has arrived.


Seriously? Its based on a 1950's/60's steel knackered fishing / crabbing boat. No Bow or stern thrusters. Single screw. The hull seems to have more plates than a greek restaurant. Quite how this piece of carp is going to work its way round the relativly small gaps between the pontoons is beyond me.
 
Just looked at the webcam and I'd imagine it is the machine on a barge at the front of the marina nearest the esplanade.
It would be nice if the Marina provided up to date news on what is happening or have they more or less given up?
 
Just picked this up. Not sure if this is accidental or a temporary condition related to their mud problems. does anyone know anything about it?

Ports Of Minehead and Watchet
NOTICE TO MARINERS
No 2 of 2019

Timber Obstruction – Watchet Harbour and Marina

Mariners are advised that a timber is currently laying in the entrance to
the Marina at Watchet.
The Timber obstruction therefore requires a further 0.46m of water over
and above the normal tide level required to enter the Marina.
 
Fairly common occurrence at Watchet...lots of debris in the channel. Or a timber from the harbour walls.

Anyone know the latest on the 'new' dredger?
 
ribdriver said:
Fairly common occurrence at Watchet...lots of debris in the channel. Or a timber from the harbour walls.

Anyone know the latest on the 'new' dredger?
Click to expand...

One of our members enquired last week to be told that the new dredger was now not due until the end of July and would then need commissioning before being put to work. Bit of a change to the message I had in March that it would be there and clearing the entrance by Easter!
Really doesn't feel like Watchet will ever recover. Shame.
 
Watchet won't recover! The marina does'nt habe the turn over to provide funds to run a dredging program... they would need to work 5 days a week 2/3 man team.. the moment they stop, it starts silting again. I was there when it opened 01/02 and by 2011 80% of berths were high and dry. Watchet is a beautifull place but it's bad planning on dean and dyballs part.. (money and run) the marina will never work out ☹
 
In that case the only option is to dramatically drop berthing charges and just offer mud berths. If the price is right and the other facilities are still offered then I think it would quite quickly start to fill with boats again. 5 star Gillingham marina on the Medway is a case in point with both tidal and non tidal basins with the appropriate cost difference.
 
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