Alderney’s Braye Harbour welcomed record numbers of visiting yachts as restrictions were lifted following the pandemic.
In the first post-Covid summer since the pandemic began, Braye Harbour was predictably a very popular destination for visiting mariners from the UK and mainland Europe.
Record-breaking numbers of visitors were welcomed to Alderney between April and July as yachtsman made up for lost time during the prolonged periods of settled weather.
Duty Harbour Master Adam Rose explained: “Even though we suffered a significant drop in yacht numbers caused by easterly winds in August, Alderney’s maritime community has experienced a most welcome return to form during the summer of 2022.”
The Island was visited by eight cruise ships – the most that have visited the island in a single season in recent memory. Visitor numbers were regularly swelled by several small commercial vessels routinely carrying dozens of visitors between Alderney and Guernsey.
Boyd Kelly, Chairman of the General Services Committee, said: “I and the members of the committee wish to express our thanks for all the hard work undertaken by all the members of the harbour team this summer, particularly in view of a senior staff vacancy, and we echo the praise given to them by the many mariners and yacht clubs that have visited the island.”
With the sailing season drawing to a close, the harbour has announced dates for the winter suspension of the following harbour services:
- Water taxi – October 2nd
- Dinghy pontoon – scheduled for removal on October 10th (subject to change according to weather)
- Harbour Shower block – October 31st
