Boat owners given two weeks to move vessels

Associated British Ports expects to have a decision from the council on its plans by the end of the year

A boat owner has criticised a marina's decision to give them two weeks' notice to move their vessels as part of development plans.

Associated British Ports (ABP), owner and operator of the Port of Ipswich and the Ipswich Beacon Marina, plans to upgrade the area and wants to move 39 boats to the opposite side of the waterfront.

Mark Worship, from Rayleigh, Essex, keeps his boat there and said he was unhappy with the decision.

ABP said it had received "strong support" for the plans and would be contacting those affected to help ensure the move goes smoothly.

The company submitted its revised plans in July following compromises it said it had already made with boat owners.

It plans to create a section of new pontoons in front of Coprolite Street and the main university building.

It is subject to approval from Ipswich Borough Council, which ABP expected by the end of the year.

Mark Worship said Ipswich Marina had a "family-like" community feel to it

Boat owners in the area have now been told the existing pontoons on the northern side have reached the end of their "usable life".

They now need to relocate their vessels to the opposite side of the wet dock ahead of the start of the winter period in about two weeks' time.

Mr Worship bought his first boat 11 years ago in Norfolk before moving it to Ipswich Marina but said he would be moving it elsewhere eventually.

"Although we've all been looking about places, especially at this time of year, you don't want to take your boat too far out because the sea is a bit rougher," he said.

With some owners already having left, Mr Worship said he did not understand the decision from a "business point of view".

ABP revised its original plans after it received backlash from boat owners of Ipswich Marina

ABP's board recently approved a £2m investment, which divisional port manager Paul Ager said was a "strong vote of confidence".

"These plans reflect feedback from customers, stakeholders, and the wider public, who have expressed strong support for upgrading berthing facilities on the northern side of the wet dock," he added.

"While we understand the relocation may cause disruption to some vessel owners, this decision is necessary to ensure the safety of marina users and our team."