20 MARINA VISIT


Conwy Marina, North Wales


L


ast May, it was announced that two UK marina groups, Dean & Reddyhoff and Quay Marinas, were to merge


their operations, creating a new organisation with 220 acres of land and sea, as well 11 marinas, 4,000 berths and 150 staff. The deal was signed in September and a nationwide cruising pass was launched by the new business at the Southampton International Boat Show that month. Both companies enjoyed a


deserved reputation for being well-equipped and providing first class services to their berth-holders, and the combined business, now operating under the new group brand name ‘boatfolk’ is planning to invest £10 million in new facilities over the next five years. It is fair to say that the two


original groups shared a refreshing attitude towards the importance of


MARINA INDUSTRY • JUNE 2020


sustainability to the marine leisure industry. This desire to work with their berth-holders and visitors to respect the marine environment by avoiding litter and pollution is being enhanced by ‘boatfolk’, which has developed initiatives on marine life, ocean plastics and clean water – the provision of easy, cost-free pump-out solutions at its marinas. Once a member of Quay


Marinas, Conwy Marina has been awarded Five Gold Anchors by The Yacht Harbour Association. The facility offered 465 berths in 2019, but this number is set to rise as it begins to expand under the ‘boatfolk’ banner. Recent work undertaken at the marina by Walcon Marine included the installation of more than 300 metres of three metre wide pontoons alongside the shore to create a new walkway with GRP mesh decking and extending five


of the seven piers that lead off the access pontoon to add new finger berths. It is located in North Wales, with


the mountains of the Snowdonia National Park as a backdrop. The area is known as ‘castle country’ for good reason as Wales has more castles per square mile than any other country in Europe. Looming over the town is a 13th century example, which the Welsh Historic Trust describes as “…by any means one of the great fortresses of medieval Europe”. Electricity and water are


supplied by Rolec service pedestals installed close to berths and illuminated SOS stations are situated at various points around the marina. These contain a dry powder fire extinguisher, life ring and first aid kit. Fuel tanks can be refilled with marine diesel and unleaded petrol


at the fuel pontoon. A waste pump- out unit is also available for use 24 hours a day at the same location. Bottled gas can be obtained from the on-site chandlery. An Ascom 30 tonne boat hoist


operated by fully trained and qualified staff is on hand to launch and recover boats. Other services include stepping/unstepping masts and pressure washing of hulls and decks. The marina’s shoreside facilities


include toilets and showers, complete with a purpose-built wet room for disabled sailors, and hair dryers. The laundry room is equipped with a modern washing machine and tumble dryer operated by tokens supplied by the marina office. There is also a convenient grocery store at the marina where fruit, vegetables and confectionary can be bought. Since it was established in


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