Contact: Richard Exley, tel: 01489 576387

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That the new charges for visitor mooring fees and facilities on the River Hamble as set out in Appendix 1 be advertised and implemented as from 1May 2002.

2. Reason

2.1 To simplify the process for payments and to propose a modest increase in charges to reflect an enhancement in available facilities.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Not to raise charges.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer consulted - Not applicable.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor K B Estlin

7. Background

7.1 For 2002 the Harbour Authority will offer visitor facilities at:

(i) Hamble Jetty;

(ii) Warsash Jetty - with showers and toilets; and

(iii) mid-stream pontoon between B1-B16 - with showers and toilets available at Warsash Jetty.

7.2 It is intended that the visitor HP piles off Port Hamble be transferred to the Crown Estate. It is proposed to pontoon this section but at this time the Crown Estate has not indicated the future use for these pontoons for either annual moorings, visitors or a combination of both contracts.

7.3 To simplify the management of the mid-stream pontoons, the Royal Thames Yacht Club has agreed in principle to an exchange of pontoons, to relocate upstream to piles B11-B16, together with the Household Division Yacht Club and Fishing Vessels, leaving B01-B10 for visitors only (400 metres length overall). However, it is unlikely that this reorganisation will be achieved before the 2002 summer season.

7.4 The Jetty at Warsash can now accommodate up to nine vessels overnight, plus the three river berths, and enjoys access to the toilets and showers ashore. Plans will be developed to re-configure this pontoon to create additional services overnight moorings in the future, enhancing the Warsash waterfront.

8. Visitor Mooring Charges

8.1 Visitor mooring charges are currently a complex, banded table based on periods of between 3 hours and 12 hours. Having visited other Solent destinations and compared and discussed visitor reception and visitor charges, it is proposed to simplify the visitor rates to reflect usage and to promote the effective collection of fees:

(i) short stay - daylight from 0900 to 1600 hours;

(ii) overnight - from 1600 hours overnight to 0900 hours - one charge; and

(iii) rates per 24 hours and weekly, payable in advance or on account (if pre-paid by credit card).

8.2 Visitor facilities are in the future to be operated by the Harbour Authority on behalf of the partnership with the Crown Estate as joint investors.

8.3 For the current mooring charges, even alongside at Warsash, when the daily rate is aggregated annually, they remain very cost effective when compared to the annual rates at boatyards or some clubs.

8.4 This financial advantage encourages abuse by those owners seeking to avoid the higher boatyard fees and effectively blocks out available moorings for genuine visiting yachtsmen, especially through the summer season.

8.5 Whilst the Harbour Authority benefits financially, this abuse is still a contentious issue with some river uses and visiting yachtsmen.

8.6 In proposing revised mooring charges, the Harbour Master and the Crown Estate representatives have considered:

(i) the improved facilities at Warsash with showers, toilets and visitor information;

(ii) the visitor charges advertised by the Hamble marinas and boatyards, where operators support the visitor initiatives as complementary to their own services. This support would be jeopardised if these facilities were perceived as undercutting the established market;

(iii) visitor charges advertised at other comparative Solent Harbours, taking into account:

(a) the type of visitor mooring offered - bay, piled or walk ashore;

(b) facilities for visitors - showers and toilets;

(c) water taxi service; and

(d) convenience, whether off-shore or rafted - for example at Lymington Town Quay up to six vessels rafted out.

Note: Comparative costs or quotes for a 10 metre vessel forwarded by the respective harbour masters are attached as Appendix 2.

8.7 To deter the extended use of the face of public jetties, a penalty rate of 40 pence/metre per 3 hours was introduced some years ago. It is suggested that a `fine' of £25 per 12 hours be introduced and advertised as a deterrent.

7117/RE

APPENDIX 1

VISITOR RATES

PRICES PER METRE LOA

(Includes VAT @ 17.5%)

FOR SUB-LET ON PILED MOORINGS ONLY

(As Extended Visitor Mooring)

APPENDIX 2

COMPARISON OF SIMILAR VISITORS MOORING IN THE SOLENT

There are over 19 other marinas and boatyards available to visitors in the Solent