Alderney's pontoon now broken, "possibly beyond repair"

Sunday 13 June 2021

Officials in Alderney have been given no choice but to urgently rectify their pontoon crisis.

The visitor pontoons were recently reduced in number due to extensive damage and lack of maintenance. Subsequently, larger vessels using the remaining pontoon have damaged it, and emergency works are now underway to fix it as the summer season gets ever closer.

Alderney States Member, Alex Snowdon, raised concerns about the issue earlier this week. 

With one of the pontoons removed due to damage, the reduced space has led to the Little Ferry Company now berthing at the commercial quay.

Mr Snowdon blamed the General Services Committee for not maintaining the pontoons. Covid-led delays in getting a surveyor to the island has only exacerbated the issue. 

Pictured: During low tides. passengers have been forced to clamber up the commercial quay as the pontoon remains unusable.

“The Harbour Pontoon has now been severely damaged, possibly beyond repair, following a number of larger vessels using the facility, despite the signage," confirmed the States of Alderney. 

The island's Government has emphasised that only tenders up to a certain size should use the one remaining pontoon, and visitors can only moor there for a maximum of eight hours.

“A spokesperson from the Harbour Office advised that emergency work is underway to try to find a temporary solution, to bring the pontoon back into safe use,” continued the government spokesperson.

Pictured: There are also covid restrictions on who can use the pontoon.

The Chairman of the GSC, Boyd Kelly has apologised for the situation, but explained it was somewhat out of their hands.

“This is a situation we regretfully find ourselves in, accept is less than ideal, and will ensure is not repeated.”

Mr Snowdon intends to bring questions to the assembly during the next States meeting, querying why the island is facing a “pontoon crisis” during the very start of the tourist season.

Pictured: The States of Alderney said that restrictions on who could use the pontoon were roundly ignored. 

What ‘emergency work’ is being done is unclear, but for the time being, residents and visitors are being asked to remain patient.

“Again, the Harbour Authority would like to thank all harbour users for their patience and cooperation as we look to provide a swift solution to the issue.”

Pictured: The pontoon before damage made it unusable. All images by David Nash.