While redevelopment projects for the port of Granville are under discussion to add several hundred spaces, the city's yachting professionals are mobilising. The Association Granvillaise des Professionnels du Nautisme (AGPN) brings together some forty economic players in the yachting industry, from boat rental companies to shipyards and service professions. Alain Bainée, its president, explains the concerns of its members.
To begin, can you explain the context of the mobilization of the AGPN?
Alain Bainée: For 20 years there have been projects to expand the port of Granville that are not making much progress. The concession of the current manager of the port (NDLR: the CCI Ouest Normandie) expires in 2023. We know that there are requests from buyers. We are vigilant and want to remind that we are there and want to be considered. When we think of the port, we always see the pretty white boats under the sun, but we must also think of the problem of the boat in engine breakdown, whose hose must be changed. That is why we want to be involved in decision-making, while being constructive. We are aware that the expansion of the port would allow us to develop our activities.
What are the important points to defend for Granville professionals?
Alain Bainée: When we think of harbour development, we think of the installation of pontoons or dredging, but there is more to it than that. In an area where land is limited, it is important to preserve technical areas. We pay particular attention to maintaining the fairing area. Vehicle access to the boardwalk is also essential for boat maintenance. Our businesses are evolving. It is no longer 3L of oil, but 20L that must be put in an engine and taken on board. If we can no longer work, in the long run, it will take 30 to 40 miles to make repairs, or long hours with the tides. It will be much more complicated and it is not in the interest of the economic development of the territory and the port.
