BOAT owners were left to deal with loosened bolts and pontoon movement caused by Storm Antoni in the absence of any Watchet Marina staff on duty, the Free Press has learned. 

A group of them met early on Saturday (August 12) morning after being told that bolts had become loose during the previous night’s storm, allowing two pontoon fingers to move, resulting in a £30,000 boat being pushed towards the side of a neighbouring vessel.

One boat owner, who asked not to be named, said: “Luckily, there was no damage done but the bolts and fingers were so loose that had we not done something about the problem there could have been a really serious situation.

“Despite the fact that there had been storm warnings there were no staff on duty at the marina and the manager had been off-duty since Friday and was not due back until the following Tuesday.

“There was nobody to give us any help and we rang the manager to tell him that we needed specialist spanners to tighten the loose finger-bolts and we need them quick.

“We eventually found them in the marina’s work boat and were able to pull the fingers back into place and tighten the bolts.

“The manager later checked everything, and he is doing his best, but the fact remains that on the day of the storm there was nobody on duty.

“The feeling among boat owners is that we simply do not know what is going on in the marina - are there staff there or not?

“Is it a matter of luck if there is somebody there and you can contact them?

“It is almost better off having noboody there - at least you would know that if something needs to be done, we will have to do it ourselves.

“The state of the marina is deteriorating fast.

“Despite all the promises, there has been no dredging since May, and the waste bins have not been emptied for weeks.

“The stink is appalling and you cannot shut any of the lids.”

Another boat owner told the Free Press: “The staff are brilliant but the situation is becoming impossible for them.

“For instance, there is now no hot water in the toilets as the gas has been cut off and suppliers have taken away all the fittings including toilet roll holders and soap dispensers.

“How can you expect to attract visitors when the place is falling apart?”

A statement this week from Watchet Boat Owners’ Association committee said: “We have been paying particular attention not only to the developing ownership arrangements but importantly to the safety aspects of continued use of the current facilities with reduced manning and funding.

“In addition, discussion has also taken place with Capt Keith Badsey, the harbourmaster, who has visited the marina to review the safety arrangements.

“The movement of a finger pontoon was initially addressed by boat owners in the marina.

“The movement, while undesirable, was not a detachment, but a loosening of bolts followed by a sliding down the track to the adjacent pontoon.

“We would ask that members who are also berth holders, view the pontoon bolts on their finger pontoons as a matter of routine, especially in rough weather.

“While the harbourmaster has made suggestions for improvements to meet best practice, no regulatory action has been required.

“In the short term, the committee would recommend extra vigilance and care as well as fully supporting the comments made by the marina manager.

“Indeed we would wish to thank him and his team for their continued efforts in such trying circumstances.

“The council are aware of the current situation at Watchet Marina and are endeavouring to resolve the issues.”

A statement issued by marina manager Matt Driscoll read: “As we all know, the marina and its staff are going through difficult financial times right now, but we hope they will improve in the future, and investments in the marina will continue so that we can provide better maintenance and service.

“Even with the reduced hours put in by the marina staff, due to circumstances, we want you to know that your safety and the safety of your boats is our only concern.

“With these reduced hours the office is not always open, but the staff continue to conduct berth checks on a regular basis.

“Many of these checks are conducted at odd, non-office hours when staff leave other commitments to support themselves.

“Our primary concern with the berth checks is to ensure that mooring lines are not damaged or missing, pontoon fingers are secure, as well as other issues.

“During times that there are consistent swells within the marina, nuts and bolts may loosen due to the constant movement of the pontoon fingers.

“We strive to check the status of the fingers more often during these periods and tighten when necessary.

“Periodically, staff may miss an issue during a berth check, such as loose bolts, so we encourage any issues that you as a berth holder may see, to please contact the marina staff so that we can resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

“I have been in direct contact with both Chris Odling-Smee (marina director), and Somerset Council regarding the health and safety issues regarding the rubbish bins.

“Both have assured me that the issue is being addressed as a high priority and should be resolved quickly.”