The move has incensed Guernsey’s boating community, with the Guernsey Boatowner’s Association (GBA) even reaching out to the Regulator as a last-ditch attempt to stop any potential increase. 

They’ve now got the backing of nine deputies, many of whom attended GBA’s most recent AGM where the topic of mooring increases was top of the agenda. They want a 10% hike across the board as a compromise figure. 

“We are a maritime community and boating is a traditional Guernsey pastime. The Moorings Charges Regulations will increase mooring fees by between 17% and 45%, depending on the size of the vessel, which is just too much,” said Deputy David de Lisle.  

Deputy John Dyke agreed: “While the ports need funding, an increase of this size in one go may drive boatowners to quit, especially as it is planned to be the first of three years of substantial, above inflation increases - we all know that boating is by no means the preserve of only the superrich.” 

The group includes Deputies de Lisle, Dyke, Chris Blin, Steve Falla, John Gollop, Victoria Oliver, Gavin St Pier, Lyndon Trott and Simon Vermeulen. 

Because the group can’t amend the proposed increases before they come to the States, they will attempt instead to stop the charges and force STSB back to the drawing board. 

“If the Assembly does agree to annul the mooring charges, the STSB will still have plenty of time to return with fresh regulations to increase fees by 10% from 1 April 2024,” said Deputy St Pier.  

The President of STSB, Deputy Peter Roffey, has responded to the motion via a letter to Deputy St Pier. 

“The STSB has sought to spread the 2024 fee increases across all port users in a reasonable manner,” he said. 

“Under the Board’s proposals, more than 80% of the additional, above inflation income for next year will come from increases in airport charges and harbour commercial fees.  

“The remainder will be from increases in leisure mooring fees, and those are weighted towards larger vessels.  

“For the vast majority of boatowners, the cost of a berth in one of the marinas will still be much lower than in Jersey, and the south coast of the UK, even after the proposed rise.”  

He took issue with some of the statements made by those deputies submitting the motion. 

“Although factual, the 45% increase referred to in the motion to annul relates to only a very small number of drying out moorings outside of the marinas. This will affect around 30 boats, for which current charges are around £200 a year. More typically, berths in one of the marinas would see above RPI increases of between 12% and 22%, with the vast majority towards the lower end of that scale.” 

Pictured: Deputy Roffey, President of STSB.

Deputy Roffey said a compromise figure of 10% for all boat sizes would lead to an overall revenue reduction for Guernsey Ports of more than £410,000. 

“This would increase the required taxpayer support by that amount,” he said. 

“All parts of the business are being heavily subsidised by the general taxpayer, which must be addressed given the condition of Guernsey’s public finances.  

“The current funding requirement is not sustainable, and the Ports need to adapt to the new, post-pandemic normal. STSB has not taken decisions on fees and charges lightly, but is determined to reduce the level of taxpayer support required by the ports as a whole.” 

The motion should be debated during the next States’ meeting on 13 December. 

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