New piles being laid for extension to the land side facilities
The owners of Falmouth Harbour Marina have begun work on their expansion plans during the summer season and are currently working on enhancing docking facilities. Part 1 of the two-phase plan will be completed by the end of October in readiness for the beginning of the 2010/2011 yachting season and includes a widening project on the leeward side of the south dock. The main pier will increase in width from 16 to 24 feet and the south dock from 12 to 20 feet. This will create space for two vehicles to pass each other on the dock and therefore vastly improve speed of provisioning and servicing to the yachts as well as allow limousines to carry owners directly to their yachts. Additional width added at pier junctions will also allow more vehicles to travel further down to the smaller docks as turning will be easier.
The new 240 foot pier
Phase 1 of the plan also includes the addition of a new pier creating a further two slips of 240 feet each, thus ensuring increased mega yacht capacity for this year’s Charter Yacht Show and throughout the season.
Phase 2 of the plan includes additional office facilities being moved closer to the dock entrance along with further plans for expanding the land side of the operation. The slab will be in place before the season starts with work continuing next summer to finish the offices and shops planned back on land.
Widening of the leeward side of the dock
Barbadian company Marinco is working fast on the project and with pre-cast concrete being delivered from Trinidad, this all-Caribbean production will vastly improve the Marina infrastructure.
Talking with Managing Director of Falmouth Harbour Marina, sailing icon, businessman, family man and knight, Sir Hugh Bailey told us, “I have a building bug, I can’t help it. I love to see progress and positive development.” With the Catamaran Hotel, his first project, turning 50 years old in 2012, Sir Hugh is most definitely leaving his mark on the area and when talking to him you can see that the current expansion plans excite him as much as that first project.
Sir Hugh Bailey overseeing the work.
In discussing his thoughts on the upcoming season Sir Hugh is very positive. The Charter Yacht Show looks very strong with 95 boats already registered (last year saw a total of 105 yachts attending) and with the increase in mega yacht dock space, Sir Hugh believes that despite the recession, as last year, the yachting season will be very strong in Antigua.
