Question

CEF 09 2025 Moorings

Councillor Bennett asked:
I have been approached by a few boat owners to ask AIG if it would be possible that AIG could put in place one single mooring point with a buoy next to the existing span at the pierhead.
The would allow them in the event that AIG removes the NO:2 boat (yellow) for maintenance or adverse sea conditions to still access their boats.

They would use this separate mooring point to tie up their own tender boat, which they can then pull in and use while the NO:2 boat is out of the water.

AIG Response:
We have carefully considered your request and we are concerned that the placement of another buoy and ropes in close proximity to the existing span could result in an entanglement of ropes, with the potential to damage boats and engines.

AIG’s Marine Team believes the existing arrangement has worked effectively for boat owners. On occasions when the AIG span boat has to be removed from the sea, for maintenance repairs, or in support of the English Bay tanker, use of the AIG rope and pulley system has been offered to private boat owners to use on one of their boats.

However, we are pleased to advise that a new 4-metre dory boat will arrive on the October FIRS. This will enable AIG to ensure a boat remains on the span at all times (except during adverse sea conditions and MoD ship to shore fuel operations). We expect this to address the main concern about access to boat owners’ vessels.

Please do encourage boat owners to pop in to speak to the Marine Team Leader and/or the Shipping & Operations Officer if they have suggestions for systems around the pier head because we are always looking for options to improve AIG’s services.

Councillor Eugene Bennett

Submitted: 22 September 2025

Response: 25 September 2025