The new marina at Corinthian Yacht Club, Cowes.
A YACHT club in Cowes is buoyant after the completion of a new 38-berth marina.
Round the world yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur will open the new marina at Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club next month.
As well as increasing available berths from 29 to 38, the new development offers a much bigger and more open launching basin to accommodate sailing events hosted by the club.
The design includes a shallower sloping access bridge with a non-slip surface connected to a new walkway pier, providing easier and safer access for disabled sailors.
Three differently positioned hoist sockets on the pontoons have also been incorporated so disabled sailors can be safely transferred in and out of boats by a special hoist, donated by Sailability.
A new crane has also been provided as part of the scheme to improve boat launching. All the pontoons have a composite deck made from recycled material for low maintenance and the marina lighting has been installed with low energy LEDs. Metered electricity and water is available for every berth.
Visitors’ berths will mainly be on the outer hammerhead pontoon.
The seabed has also been dredged to a minimum depth of at least 1.2 metres below Chart Datum. The new marina, which will open on May 7, has been funded solely by The Crown Estate and will be leased back to the club over a 25-year period on affordable terms.
Tony Bedingfield, the club’s vice-commodore, said: "Our thanks go to The Crown Estate for agreeing to provide funds for the scheme.
"Without this, the whole project would not have been possible.
"In particular, The Crown Estate kindly agreed to fund the new crane via its Marine Stewardship Programme to improve access onto the water."
Reporter: martinn@iwcpmail.co.uk