Walk-ashore bridge back at harbour after repairs

The bridge was damaged in high winds in the early hours of Tuesday morning and it was taken away on Wednesday.

It had been thought that repairs were likely to take two weeks, but on this afternoon [Thursday] Guernsey Harbours announced that the bridge was back in place.

This means it is now once again possible for boat users to walk ashore rather than having to use tenders.

‘From the first indications that the storm had caused damage on Tuesday night, this has been a fantastic team effort to ensure the continued safety of our visiting boats and their crews and to keep our marina open for business as usual,’ said harbour master Captain David Barker.

‘The emergency services and Guernsey Harbours staff have gone the extra mile – and I would also like to thank Island Rib Voyages for providing an interim taxi service at short notice.’

Although the bridge is back, it will be closed between 6am and 9am today to allow the maintenance team to fit the final replacement pontoon which has been made in Guernsey Harbours’ workshops.

‘Throughout, this has been a typical example of how Guernsey’s maritime community step up to help one another and to make this such a great place to live and visit,’ said Captain Barker.

Guernsey Harbours’ technical services manager Mark Rive congratulated the maintenance team for its hard work to ensure the bridge was repaired quickly: ‘Guernsey Harbours’ technicians and specialist staff worked through the night in order to get to this stage.

‘This repair was complex in its nature, however my team understand the important nature of and benefit this equipment provides for visiting boatowners, harbour operations and tourism.’