Two marinas and two harbours in the Mid and East Antrim Council area will be dredged over the coming winter and following Spring. They are Carnlough Harbour and Glenarm Marina on the Antrim Coast Road and Carrickfergus Marina and Harbour on the north shore of Belfast Lough.
Carnlough Harbour will be closed from Monday 1st November until Friday 19th November 2021 and Carrickfergus Harbour from Thursday 24th March 2022 until Tuesday 17th May 2022.
Carnlough Harbour
Glenarm Marina dates are from Friday 19th November until Thursday 16th December 2021 and Carrickfergus Marina will be dredged from Thursday 16th December 2021 until Thursday 24th March 2022. The marinas and harbours were due to be dredged as some areas are now below the minimum depths as per hydrographic surveys.
Glenarm Marina Photo: Tourism NI
The Council has warned that these dates are subject to movement based on contractual changes and effects of weather. A further notice to mariners will be issued if the programme changes.
The largest number of boats affected will be those berthed in Carrickfergus which has a capacity of 300. It was dredged in 2015. Glenarm has recently had extra berths added to make the total 50. Carnlough lies 16 miles south of Fair Head and is used mainly by pleasure boats and small fishing vessels.
Carrickfergus Harbour Photo: Rossographer
The contractors are the 192-year-old Charles Brand Ltd company based in Sydenham, Belfast and Foyle and Marine Engineering JV with HQ in Claudy, Co. Londonderry.
Karena Catterson, Maritime Development Officer at Carrickfergus Marina stated that Berth Holders were given various options for the period of dredging:
- They can lift their boat out and receive a full refund for their berthing during the dredging period and Council will pay 50% of their lift in and out costs.
- They can relocate to another marina of their choice for which Council will pay full costs. In cases where berthing fees are cheaper, the difference in costs will be refunded.
- They can remain in the marina and receive a 30% discount on their fees, and where it can be facilitated access will be granted for emergencies.
- Liveaboards will remain in the marina as normal.
Some boat owners have arranged to move to Bangor Marina where Kevin Baird, Harbour Master and Marina Manager, is making plans; “We are in the planning/berth allocation stage, and we know that some of those who have booked in with us will be arriving early. Hopefully, all goes to plan, and the weather stays calm to allow barges to dump at the designated spoil site”.
