Developement

2004 was one of the busiest years since the total refurbishment of the quays throughout the harbour in 2001 with the Millennium works. These developments have now won International awards for design and architecture.

A picture of the Harbour was used on the front page of the Tate Modern's promotional material for an exhibition of Millennium Projects in late 2003. Whitehaven Marina was extended in the late summer 2004 creating up to a further 100 berths.

January 2004 saw the removal of the two grab cranes located on West Wall that used to serve the phosphate rock industry, now exhausted. This was to make way for the whole redevelopment of the Bulwark Quay and West Wall, the main Marina car parking areas.

Included in the project was the rejuvenation of the existing buildings to the standard of the new Marina Block. Also new paving, marked car parking and storage facilities. This project started in late 2003 and is now complete.

Whitehaven Marina's new Hard standing is nearing completion which accommodates up to 80 boats utilising a boat parker. It was sited on the existing area but includes a purpose built boat repair building housing a repair company and full chandlery. Complete with indoor cranes and hoists for the ultimate in under cover vessel repair. It is also hoped that new boat builds will return to Whitehaven.

September 2004 saw the start of a large dredging program for South Harbour and Custom House Dock. This was to facilitate the provision of a new budget berthing system in South Harbour to replace the existing trot moorings. The new system is able to cater for many more vessels than the previous system.

Plenty more re-development will be taking place over the next few years, so watch this space for the latest Whitehaven Harbour and Marina news.