The investment that is going on around the country in harbours and facililities for boat owners includes substantial funding from various bodies. Here are a few examples (extracts from Yachting Life):-

Banff Marina - The Aberdeenshire Council, owners of Banff Marina, are shifting the focus away from their silting problems this season, by spending £230,000 on extending the harbourmaster's office and providing new toilets and showers for marina users and the public. The estimated cost of the work is £232,272 and the local authority plans to spread the spending over two financial years. A one storey building with a pitched roof is planned for the extension to the harbourmaster's office that overlooks the Moray Firth. The new showers and toilets will be a welcome addition to the two year old marina which has cost well over £1 million to develop and has suffered structural collapse and siltuing problems. Exisiting toilet facilities are provided by portable units.

Cardingmill Bay - The Cardingmill Bay Mooring Owners Association Landing Stage at Dungallan Parks (Oban) will be officially opened in the spring. The project was carried out as a joint venture between CBMOA, Oban Bay Berthing Ltd, North West Marine and Oban Sailing Club and the management of the landing stage will be carried out by OBB. The venture attracted grant funding of £12,500 and additional costs will be repaid out of income over the next few years.

Oban Bay - A funding hiccup on the Oban Bay pontoon development has delayed the start date for the project. Dredging was due to begin in January with a view to installing the pontoons mid-season. However it is understood that securing the £900k grant from Argyll & Bute Council has been delayed and the project time scale set back. Paul Sloan, director of Oban Bay Marine advised the picture would be clearer at the start of this month when a project manager was to have appointed by Argyll & Bute Council, to oversee the allocation of the £30 million regeneration development money. Planning permission, for the pontoon development, has already been granted with some modifications regarding the traffic light system. A further small breakwater had been also added at the entrance to increase shelter to the pontoon berths. Paul said; 'We have everything in place to move the pontoon project forward and can start by September. This would mean we would be open for business by March 2010.'

Wick Marina - is off and running with a £576,000 grant and loan agreement that should see the much anticipated facility in use this season. Forres based Varis Engineering have won the £466,000 contract to provide the facility that will be created in Wick's sheltered inner basin. The funding package comes after complex negotiations between Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise in addition to the Crown estate who have contributed around half the total cost of the project.

Hopefully the above gives confidence to NBHTA and to the future full Trust in winning funding to improve the facilities at North Berwick.

Derek Braid, Secretary