An extraordinary year 2021 for the La Rochelle marina
After a financial year 2020 penalised by the effects of the Covid-19, the year 2021 will be marked by a high level of investment in the La Rochelle marina. "2021 is a special year, with an ambitious investment programme of more than 3.8 million euros. We are a public player who is keen to ensure that the machine moves forward and the economic basis of a marina. We have therefore chosen to maintain our medium-term investment ambitions, despite the crisis, and to do in 2021 both what was already planned and what could not be achieved in 2020" explains its director Bertrand Moquay.
Maintenance and renewal of boat lifting equipment
The main work and investments in 2021 will be in handling equipment and related services. A new 15 T launching trolley will be acquired for the Minimes technical area. The treads of the 150T dock on the trawler basin will be redone in the autumn, alternative solutions during the unavailability of the travelift for the nautical platform professionals will be announced by the summer. "We are continuing to upgrade the gear after the work on the 50T and 150T trolleys. We are also signing the purchase of premises in the Minimes careening area to create a new work and reception area for the handling staff, the old one will become a convivial place for boaters in careening", Bertrand Moquay explains.
The Phare du Bout du Monde lighthouse, owned by the City of La Rochelle, whose management is entrusted to the port, will also be the subject of structural work in 2021. The programme for the renovation of the sanitary blocks should continue.
A whole pontoon in plastic cube allowing boats to be out of the water is being studied for semi-rigid boats.
Work on the services and sanctuarisation of the nautical plateau
In addition to investing in infrastructure, the La Rochelle marina also wants to adapt its services to the changes in society. "We have adopted an information systems master plan that will help us with our roadmap for a simpler and more fluid 21st century port. We have recruited a digital project manager. A strategic project for 2021-2026 is due to be adopted this year by the board of directors," said the director of the port of La Rochelle.
Finally, from March, the harbour master's office will present to professionals its project to close the nautical platform to pedestrians and bicycles in transit. "We want to protect the nautical platform and reaffirm its industrial role in the heart of the urban centre," concludes Bertrand Moquay.
