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Fresh boating blood is being sought to join the Guernsey Boatowners' Association as it celebrates its centenary year.
Nick Guillemette, President of the Association since 2015, wants to ensure the successes it has enjoyed and the position it has chartered in the community continues by encouraging new members in.
“Our Association has played a vital part in the history and development of the Guernsey leisure boat industry, which is worth approx £25 million pounds annually to the local economy,” he said.
“It contributes in excess of 25% of the income to Guernsey Harbours and provides employment for many in the local marine industry and its associated ancillary trades.”
The GBA, as well as representing the boating community and providing links to associated industries, assists its members with advice and courses on safety at sea including fire prevention, first aid and maintenance.
The leisure boat industry has grown considerably since the GBA was formed in 1923 both in terms of craft become economically accessible and public infrastructure provided to boaters, such as the major QEII marina project completed in 1987, which granted extra berths to locals.
Technology has also developed at pace, not only for boat design but also aids such as radar, GPS, positioning, traffic services, and identification systems.
Pictured: Detailed plans already exist to transform St Peter Port for mariners of all types.
Mr Guillemette notes that a short supply of berths is currently impacting on those wishing to become first-time boatowners as well as those seeking a larger vessel, with over 200 waiting for a first or new mooring.
But the issue of increasing demand has stretched back over a century which is why the GBA has supported the development of new facilities.
It's why it threw its support behind a recent assessment into a new pool marina within the existing harbour walls, which laid out how an additional 200 berths of varying sizes with round-the-clock access could be established in St Peter Port.
But politicians appear to have gone cold on the plan given the tight state of public finances and competing projects for critical infrastructure.
The Association is widely supportive of the scheme, as are marine traders, but concerns with the capital costs, tentatively suggested to be around £90m, were raised by members at an AGM.
Mr Guillemette said while costs are high it represents an investment for the future which will also provide an income stream from the mooring fees from both additional locals and visitors.
The issue will provide plenty for boatowners to consider and lobby for going forward he added.
“Our forefathers and politicians did succeed in achieving the development of our current facilities so now it’s up to all of us to encourage our future statesmen to do likewise.
“One thing is for sure – the GBA continues to maintain the original aims of 1923 in’ fostering the interests of its members ‘ and to act as a pressure group on the States of Guernsey to provide the necessary facilities to meet the demands of the leisure boating industry.”
Pictured (top): Nick Guillemette.
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