Harbour staff go "the extra mile"

Friday 02 August 2019

The walk ashore bridge between St Peter Port Harbour and the Crown Pier has reopened after two days, despite suggestions it would be closed for two weeks.

The bridge was damaged earlier this week when the harbour faced some strong winds.

It was removed for repair on Wednesday but has reopened once again this morning, restoring access to and from the Swan Pool Marina for visiting vessels.

"From the first indications that the storm had caused damage on Tuesday night, this has been a fantastic team effort to ensure the continued safety of our visiting boats and their crews, and to keep our marina open for business as usual," said Harbourmaster Captain David Barker.

Pictured: A free water taxi service was offered while the bridge was closed.

"The emergency services and Guernsey Harbours staff have gone the extra mile, and I would also like to thank Island Rib Voyages Limited for providing an interim taxi service at short notice.

"Throughout, this has been a typical example of how Guernsey's maritime community steps up to help one another and to make this such a great place to live and visit."

The structure opened at 09:00 this morning, after the maintenance team fitted the final replacement pontoon.

Pictured: The bridge was removed to be repaired.

"The whole maintenance team have worked very hard to ensure this key part of harbour infrastructure has been repaired as quickly as possible," said Guernsey Harbours' Technical Services Manager, Mark Rive.

"Guernsey Harbour's technicians and specialist staff worked through the night in order to get to this stage. This repair was complex in its nature, however my team understand the important nature and benefits this equipment provides for visiting boat owners, harbour operations and tourism."

No vessels or people on the harbour were damaged in the winds.

Pictured: The Swan bridge.