A DISUSED part of the Port of Poole has been transformed into a new marina housing 60 metre super-yachts and smaller vessels.

The Port of Poole Marina is up and running and almost all of its berths have been snapped up.

The marina, which occupies the old Ro-Ro Brittany Ferries berth, is in a peaceful spot within easy reach of the vibrant Poole Quay and will provide a base for sailing enthusiasts visiting the 2012 Games along the coast at Weymouth and Portland.

Henry Cobley, Bosun at the marina, said: “This is a really exciting time for us as we welcome new guests from all over the UK. A limited number of berths are still available.

“There’s a wonderful diversity about the boats which have taken up permanent moorings here... from yachts and superyachts to smaller boats and jet skis and even a barge.”

John Binder of Poole Quay Boat Haven, the company behind the project, said: “We’re delighted with the quality of our new marina. Local labour and materials have been used as much as possible; the floating breakwater was constructed in Southampton and we’ve been able to re-use a top quality pontoon which was used at the Southampton Boat Show.

“The marina was designed by Walcon and we’ve taken great care both to protect the environment during construction and to create a top class marina.”

The £1 million project has created space for 59 boats and 15-20 RIBs and personal watercraft. It features a pontoon with hardwood decking and fibre concrete floats, fully serviced with water and electricity. A free RIB taxi service operates to nearby Poole Quay and there are toilets, showers and parking on site.

Dredging work was carried out by Poole Harbour Commissioners, electricity and water supplies installed by Maricer and the demolition was carried out by Dorset-based Kavell-Civil Engineers.

How to get there

By sea:  Once in Poole Harbour follow the middle ship channel. The marina entrance is located to the west of the ‘Stakes’ southerly cardinal marker.

By road:  From Poole follow the signs for the ferry terminal and, once you’ve crossed the lifting bridge, turn left at the roundabout and head east along New Quay Road. The Port of Poole Marina is the turn off after the main ferry terminal.

Ideal base for explorers

CHRIS and Hilary Monk from Lilliput in Poole are among the first customers to moor their boat at The Port of Poole Marina.

They keep their ten metre sailing yacht Deben Eclipse there and told All at Sea it was the ideal location from which to explore the Dorset coastline.

Chris, the manager of an oilrig, added: “We only bought the boat a year ago and have been looking for somewhere to keep her. This new marina came along at just the right time.

“The marina is very accessible and is a great spot from which to explore the harbour.  It’s very well set up and has everything we need.

“Having the boat somewhere that’s so easy to reach by road and so close to home means that, when we’re not working, we can manage a day of sailing and still return home in time for the school-run.”