As in many French ports, the technical zone of Capbreton is built on the public domain. The professionals who own their companies in the zone, in leasehold, have a 40-year contract. At the end of 2023, on December 31, Capbreton's AOT, or Authorization to Occupy the Territory, will expire. As foreseen in the contract, the community of communes asks the 3 professionals whose premises are on this zone to leave the site and to make way. So to destroy their premises and to go to exercise their profession elsewhere.
The harbour master's office on the front line
We contacted the harbour master's office, which replied, in the person of Fabienne Fauré, director of the port: " Currently the technical area is occupied by 3 professionals who occupy with their buildings more than 2/3 of the useful surface. Today, there are only 17 places to take out and put the boats in the dry. With the end of the AOT, we would like to reorganize this space to increase the number of places on land. For the rest, we have not yet defined how this area will be organized. We will open calls for projects once the professionals have moved out at the end of 2023. "
A lack of space on land
This lack of dry dock space is also noted by users. Stéphane Payelle, president of the ADUP, the Port Users Association, has also noted this: " The port has 960 moorings and at the height of the season, at least 25 places on land are needed to work properly. This reorganization is therefore welcome. On the other hand, how will the service to boaters be ensured once the professionals have left? "
To this question, the harbour master's office answers: " There will necessarily be a transition phase, professionals will have to travel by van to come to the boats. But the port is in the process of training its personnel to rig and secure the boats. We have already bought some wedging equipment last year, and we will complete it again this year. "
No clearly defined project
If the end of the AOT is very near, it seems surprising that no preliminary project has yet been defined. The substantial response from the harbour master's office is not there to reassure boaters. Today, some professionals, including the Bigship mooring company, due to the lack of available buildings in the port, have had to leave for a small business zone a few kilometers away. How will the boater who needs maintenance products or a shackle for his nearby sea trip? Moreover, given the location and real estate prices in this highly sought-after area, there is no doubt that the simple hardware store will have difficulty establishing itself in hypothetical future premises.
