Work is due to begin on the 9th March by a national contracting company, Halcrow Group Ltd, on the Harbour South Pier to stabilise and strengthen the stonework prior to realigning the Boom rails and the erecting and commissioning of a new electric Horizontal Fixed Boom crane. These essential works are programmed to take around 7 weeks to complete, and are the final item on a defect list deemed as necessary to have rectified, by East Lothian Council, prior to a handover to a Harbour Trust.

The Harbour will, of course, remain open during these works but there will obviously be a level of disruption which will be managed, to minimise the impact to Harbour users.

‘Safety Upgrades’ comprising of new balustrades, ladders etc are currently being erected in a style sympathetic with the area and works on this phase of the Harbour Improvements are due to finish by the end of March.

Once the Harbour Trust Association is comfortable with, and satisfied that, the Harbour is in a suitable condition, the Legal process, which has been prepared in advance, will be actioned to begin the transfer of Land and Title from East Lothian Council to a North Berwick Harbour Trust. All things being equal, it is anticipated that this date will be around May this year.

The Harbour Management Team, which answers to the Trust Association Members, continues to work alongside the Harbourmaster, Ross Harbison, and all Harbour facility users to maintain and improve the level of service and general wellbeing of the area.

Noticeable improvements have been and will continue to be made, and any old activities that work against this policy, such as the deliberate dumping of oily bilge water in the Harbour, will not be tolerated and will jeopardise the culprit being reallocated a mooring space, whether commercial or leisure.

The Harbour Master’s office grows in stature, if not in size, and displays weather and navigation information, and houses First Aid and Safety equipment. A ‘Bosuns Store’ is also being built up, with fenders, shackles, rope etc available for emergency use.

Moving forward, once a Trust is formed, the Trustees will be looking at Capital Projects and feasibility studies are currently being considered for a Galloways Pier upgrade, and external serviced pontoons at the Harbour entrance.

Details of all activities being carried out by the Harbour Trust Association can be viewed on line at www.nbharbour.org.uk or at the Public Library.

Gerry Hughes, Chairman