ALL AT SEA FEBRUARY 2021
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THE CHANGING FACE OF MARINAS The role of marinas has evolved to offer far more than simply a place to berth your boat. Nowadays marinas also play an important part in protecting their local habitat, which is exactly what has been taking place at Lymington Yacht Haven…
Protecting the local habitat is important for future generations of boaters and wildlife
F
amily values are fundamental to the Yacht Havens Group. Founded in 1972 and still run by subsequent generations, you could say they have got saltwater in their veins. As owners and operators of nine marinas around the UK and the Netherlands, they take the stewardship of their Havens seriously, working together to ensure the boating communities they serve have somewhere accessible, secure and well maintained for their boats; evolving, improving and protecting marinas with future generations in mind. Just like their marina users and berth holders, they love where they live and work. They consider themselves lucky to run marinas, where many choose to holiday, relax and spend their precious leisure time. But they are not the only ones here…
Lymington Marshes
Lymington Yacht Haven director Rupert Wagstaff explains: “As custodians, we are responsible for maintaining our marinas for future generations, protecting and preserving our neighbouring wildlife’s habitats. We do what we can to future proof our marinas for generations to come, so our berth holders can potter in and out of Lymington River, spot different species of wading birds, wild fowl, marine wildlife and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.” However, the rise in sea levels and rigours of natural waves has caused erosion along the coastline of Lymington’s salt marshes over the last century, impacting on Lymington harbour. The salt marshes also play an important role in shielding the marinas, moorings and sea defences from wave attack. Rupert continues: “Something had to be done to protect the sustainability
By creating a sacrificial reef within the bay the salt marsh can replenish, protecting the marshes behind, which encourages wildlife and slows down erosion. The barge’s secret weapon is its hopper doors which open within the hull, without increasing the draft, which means it can deposit mud in very shallow water, dropping denser, richer sediment for the benefit of populating wildlife.
Five-year programme A dredging barge at Lymington Yacht Haven
of the salt marshes, inhabiting wildlife and the future enjoyment of boating enthusiasts to come.” In a pioneering scheme, dubbed a national trial for future regeneration projects, they joined forces with
Lymington Harbour Commissioners to work on significantly reducing marsh erosion through Beneficial Use of Dredged Material.
During this five-year rolling programme, they dredge the river during November, December and January. Then they come back into the marina from midJanuary through to March to dredge the Lymington Yacht Haven marina to retain the depth of 2.5m below chart datum.
How dredging works
Encouraging wildlife?
They dredge mud from the outer reaches of the Lymington riverbed and relocate it to the east side of the river, creating a sacrificial sediment-rich reef, to protect the salt marshes behind. Starting in 2014 the first scheme was completed in 2017, dredging 19,380 tonnes of mud, building an intertidal area at Boiler Marsh, which had previously suffered considerable erosion. In 2017 they were awarded a five-year licence to undertake a second scheme, dredging 10,000 tonnes of mud every year until 2024. As a member of the Solent Forum Beneficial Use of Dredging in the Solent (BUDS) project, it is their duty to identify wider opportunities for beneficial use of dredged mud within the Solent too.
Secret weapon
Extensive work is being carried out to protect the marshes. Image: Shutterstock
Using the Yacht Haven’s own dredging plant, digger and barge, the Haven staff dredge the outer reaches of Lymington River, taking it up along the east side, depositing it in a systematic order to build up the marsh level in designated areas.
Haven staff are continually monitoring the effects, and so far careful monitoring has shown that much of the deposited sediment has consolidated, resulting in the newly built-up sites doing well. Marsh plants are growing, wading birds are feeding and wild fowl are nesting along the coastline. Rupert concludes: “Together with the Lymington Harbour Commissioners we are learning valuable lessons in how the technical aspects of this scheme can work alongside recreational leisure, ensuring the continued sustainable use of our beautiful Lymington harbour.” www.yachthavens.com Yacht Havens Group: Lymington Yacht Haven; Haven Quay, Lymington; Largs Yacht Haven; Troon Yacht Haven; Fambridge Yacht Haven; Neyland Yacht Haven; Plymouth Yacht Haven; Yacht Haven Quay, Plymouth; Jachthaven Biesbosch, the Netherlands.
