Ramsey marina, IoM

geem said:

For me the attraction of the IOM is its lack of development. Its like going back in time. I don't want to it to end up like every other soleless place.

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Social deprivation as a result of the lack of development and new opportunities is a problem in the IoM. A desire for olde worlde charm is another’s mental health problem.

There is no reason for new developments to be soulless.

RunAgroundHard said:

I wonder why there are lots of objections and how representative the views are?

The IOM government did a review of their community social issues and it did not look good in all areas, except for wealthy people. Similar issues to UK but far more acute in the IOM.

This development I would have thought represents opportunity for local jobs, economy et cetera.

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By definition, a marina would be used regularly by wealthy people, so not really an answer to the issues on the IOM.

I don't think one proper marina on the island is going to spoil anyone's postcard. I can see it doing a good trade from boats transiting to Scotland as well as weekend visitors from Whitehaven and southern Scotland.
Comparisons to Holyhead are not valid, that ended up in the corner because it didn't have any breakwater except a pontoon.
I don't think building breakwaters is very scientific, they've only been doing it for two hundred years or more. Whitehaven hasn't exploded yet despite a greater fetch from the more frequent west.

And that Ramsey shore is a very bad place to be in an Easterly gale, which is not exactly uncommon.

steve yates said:

By definition, a marina would be used regularly by wealthy people, so not really an answer to the issues on the IOM.

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Of course a marina is not a solution to the IOM issues, that’s a no brainer.

However, it could form part of a local solution through development of opportunities for some jobs, an increase in trade in the town, improvement in local infrastructure.

The point of view is a common one, frequently expressed that that macro issues can’t be solved by something, so just ignore any micro improvements and shit can the whole thing.

It is defeatist and inhibiting.

I think the biggest issue with many marinas and harbours is the changing weather patterns. We are seeing exceptions become the new normal. I don't know how the proposed development will cope with, say, 2 weeks of sustained strong Easterlies or an exceptional event as happened at Holyhead.

I sat in Howth marina for 4 days as a series of strong Easterly winds blew through thankful for the training wall which reduced any swell and surge. Holyhead in a near gale by contrast has considerable surge.

Any new marina design has to be able to deal with new and unpredictable weather patterns. An all weather access marina at Ramsey would be great for me personally, but a few visiting boats will hardly recoup the investment. I think that marina developments and social engineering are uneasy bedfellows, but that is a personal view.

I have no vested interest in a marina there. Reading the guff on the website raised an interesting claim: more people work in Scottish marine tourism than the oil industry. According to the Scottish government about 26000 people work in marine tourism although many jobs are part time and or seasonal. About 94000 people work in the oil industry in Scotland. So the claim is wrong and is part time or seasonal work what the local area needs?

Firstly, being selfish, I would appreciate this development. Being based in the NW if England, the IoM is a regular destination - but a long day sail with tidal access to harbours restricted at both ends.
A nearer destination and 24 hour access to marina berths would be a huge benefit to yachts based in Dumphries and Galloway, Cumbria, and possibly from Bangor NI. For the Island generally it would make a good destination for a weeks holiday with marinas at Ramsey (North), Douglas (East) and Peel (West) for those who want walk ashore berths.
However, I have reservations about the protection from swell, accepting the short fetch, but after the problems reported with Dover sited within an existing harbour?
I am not sure what local opinion is but there has historically been resistance and objections to previous marina proposals in Ramsey. Looking at the proposal it appears to be a carrot to get permission for a large Hotel and expensive properties giving me concerns that the secondary development of the marina may not be as well designed and funded as necessary.

dankilb said:

Ever been there for an easterly gale, though? Rare scourge of Irish Sea moorings. (Not that I’m against another local marina either…)

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I was in Douglas inner harbour on the wall last August when it blew 35 knts E. Looks pretty protected but still found myself occasionally looking down onto the carpark when the swell worked in at HW, even with the sill kept closed. The proposal at Ramsey offers far less shelter.