More Dredging!
Great news there will finally be a bit of dredging in Warkworth Harbour. The following Notice to Mariners has been issued by Warkworth Harbour Commissioners:
Commencing 29th July 2024 for a period of 3 Weeks. Dredger Wyre Sands will be working from the Amble Harbour mouth from 55° 20.316 N to the entrance to Amble Marina 55°20. 202.
Wyre Sands will be using VHF CH 14 which is the harbour channel and mostly working on the Northside of the harbour leaving the southside of the channel free for incoming and outgoing vessels. Ref: MMO licence L/2024/00195/1
VAT on Electricity Charges.
We have consulted our tax specialist to investigate VAT on Electricity Charges and according to VAT Notice 701/19 the following will be implemented at Amble Marina until further notice:
- If the berth-holder’s usage meets the following de-minimis criteria, the recharge can be subject to a 5% VAT rate whether it’s domestic or not. This assumes each berth has its own meter.
- The 5% VAT rate ONLY applies to electricity usage.
- If there is a service charge, connection charge, general daily rate not reliant on usage, etc then the VAT on those elements is charged at 20%.
- Supplies of small (de minimis) quantities
Supplies of not more than an average rate of 33 kilowatt hours per day, 1,000 kilowatt hours per month, of electricity to one customer at any one of the customer’s premises are subject to VAT at the reduced rate. This applies whether the bill is based on a meter reading by either you or your customer or on an estimate.
- The recharge of DOMESTIC USE electricity would always be at 5% VAT rate, but in a marina setting, this would only apply to residential houseboats – of which we have none.
Where we have charged 20% VAT on units used a credit will be issued on your account. Future bills will have two different VAT rates: 5% on units used when under 1,000 kWh/month and 20% VAT on the Service/Connection Charge.
Finally, to confim how finished with piling we are, our Mini Piling Rig is now for sale, anyone interested should contact Sigma Plant here. One careful owner. Very low hours. Full service history. Comes ready to drill with augers and casings!
All berth holders and visiting boats please be aware that our Piling Raft is currently on ‘B’ hammerhead (The Fuel and Reception Pontoon). Approach dead slow. Marina office vhf channel 80. The raft is well lit.
If you are visiting please reserve a berth with the office well in advance so berth allocation can be done ahead of arrival on 01665 712 168 between 0900 and 1700 every day or email: marina@amble.co.uk.
We are installing the last three piles to complete what for us has been a massive year of dredging and piling.
Diesel may still be dispensed into fuel cans.
Thank you for your cooperation. Amble Marina
The 2023 maintenance dredge campaign is now complete. Humber Work Boats have successfully removed nearly 30,000m3 of silt from the marina basin and lifeboat pen ensuring deep water for all boats within the marina. Work to remove the Cutter-Suction dredger John M and ancillary parts were delayed due to inclement weather but the last low loader left this morning.
There is still a bit of boat moving to complete to get everyone back in their own berth which the team are tackling head-on. Meanwhile the piling project continues as well as plans to relocate the containers to provide us with a winter shelter for welding and small boat repairs.
Thank you to all our customers for your patience and understanding during these essential works we hope that you have not been inconvenienced. Finally, we are very happy to announce we are open for visiting boats.
Essential improvement and maintenance projects
Piling:
The piling project continues at a steady pace. As of 28th August pile number five was in situ and once the new galvanised pontoon section arrives A pontoon will be complete – ahead of Winter – providing a more stable platform for the pontoon that often gets the worst weather. This is an incredibly difficult job that the staff are all tackling head on, ensuring the work is reliable and safe and keeping inconvenience to an absolute minimum.
Dredging.
On September 8th we will start in earnest prepping for the big seven year dredge. Due to various restrictions and environmental issues we have a short window of opportunity to carry out the dredge – once again September has been identified as the best time to carry out this vital project.
The government organisation that oversees disposal at sea of silt – The Marine Management Organisation have granted their license. Envison Marine will be carrying out pre, during and post dredge environmental surveys to monitor the environmental impact. The Crown Estate, The MCA, Northumberland Estates, Warkworth Harbour Commissioners and many others have all been notified and licenses and permissions given.
Humber Work Boats are our chosen contractor and using a 400t crane will launch the dredger from the car park on 11th September. Works are expected to take about five to six weeks – we will not be doing any dredging at night if we can avoid it. Please be aware that there will be some disruption to the marina during this time.
Those of you that remember the 2016 dredge (or even the 2009 or 2001) will know that we move every boat within the marina to allow the dredger safe access. This is to ensure there is no dredging underneath any boats and we therefore require the ability to move all boats at any time.
When moved we are unable to guarantee connection to electricity as many boats will be in rafts but please understand this is only temporary. During this time we will be closed to all visiting boats to provide as much space as possible to our annual customers.
News of the summer
August saw us take delivery of a new Hermitage Boat for English Heritage – built to their requirements by Skur boats of Cornwall. English Heritage will likely complete the commission in Spring.
We have celebrated a raft of staff birthdays with Mick marking a big milestone – it looks like he will only be eating cake and chocolate for the foreseeable future – why change the habit of a lifetime?
Finally huge congratulations to Steve and Natalie on their wedding in July.
As always should you have any queries please do not hesitate to get in touch.
On Monday 19th April 2023 we will take the final steps in starting the long planned piling project. The spud legged raft, spider crane, mini rotary piling rig, augers, casings, rock hammers, grout pump, and MMO licence are all finally here or enroute next week, ready to start. A new member of staff will also join us to drive the piling rig.
Works will start in earnest on A pontoon which will have six new piles and after over 40 years we will extend A hammerhead and properly stabilise it. This will offer the commercial boats much safer mooring in Easterly winds.
You are obviously welcome to see the piling rig at work but please keep behind the safety barriers. As this is all heavy machinery there will be occasions when access along pontoons is prevented, but as soon as we can safely stop to allow you to pass we will. Please do not attempt to interrupt the workers on the raft.
All boats must keep their distance. The office will be contactable on vhf channel 80 at all times during operation.
Other news
New boats on brokerage: Akamas, a Rinker 242 £19,995, Juniper an LM24 and Spoon, an MG Spring – as made famous in Howards Way – both £13,995 ONO.
A big welcome to new berth holders joining us from Port Edgar, RNYC and Royal Quays.
Wishing you all a good 2023 sailing season – fingers crossed for fair winds, plenty of fish and calm seas.