Scotland
New Pontoon for Lochranza
Step-ashore facility represents the first of its kind on Arran, and forms part of a Scottish and Irish 'Sail West Programme'
Construction has started for a new pontoon facility at Lochranza which will allow berthing alongside by tenders, visiting yachts and tourist boats which will give safe access for less able and disabled crew. This step-ashore facility represents the first of its kind on Arran.
The pontoon is part of a Scottish and Irish ‘Sail West Programme', which aims at having Yachting and Boating access facilities within 15 miles throughout the Western Isles and Northern Ireland. Funding is being provided by Highlands and Islands Enterprise with assistance by North Ayrshire District Council and The Lochranza and Catacol Sea Society.
The pontoon is being built by Varis Engineering with Wallace Stone and Partners the consulting Engineers for the installation. It will consist of a long spanning bridge from a point above high tide joining 310 metre long, 3 metre wide pontoons out to the 2.5 metre low water mark where 2 further 10 metre pontoons will run at right angles. The pontoons will be of metal box construction with timber decking, railings and a hoist. The pontoon will be for summer use only, with the end section removed to a more sheltered location during winter.
It is not intended for the pontoon facility to provide overnight berthing, but that it should provide for short term pick-up and drop-off for crew and stores and safe access for boat tenders using both the private and visitor moorings.
Demand for existing visitor moorings has been high from May to September as Lochranza is regarded as a prime destination for visiting yachts both for weekend and longer-term trips, including chartered boat visitors. Its attraction to visitors arises from a combination of its outstanding scenery and relative seclusion, as well as its proximity to the Clyde marinas and other popular yacht destinations such as Tarbert and Campbeltown on the Kintyre Peninsula.
