Friday 18 February 2011

“The wind in our sails”.

"Or the wind in our homes” and I am not talking about the after effects of too much figgy pudding. Renewable energy is here to stay whether you like it or not and whether you feel it is cost effective and environmentally friendly or not.  Ramsgate harbour is a major centre in the South-east of England for the construction of off-shore wind farms and as such maintains a working element to the harbour which had previously diminished with the decline of fishing fleets throughout the country. 
 Vattenfall is already installed in the port to service Thanet off-shore wind farm and London Array’s HQ building is under construction adjacent to the ferry terminal. The London Array building as featured on ECR’s blog promises to be “more than a shed” with some interesting architectural features lifting it above normal industrial building styles. New pontoons are planned for the port area for 10 wind farm vessels and a wave breaking pontoon in the outer harbour where the fishing fleet moors. With pontoons and working wind-farm craft the port and harbour have a real working future, I am sure the marine experts associated with this type of operation will ensure the council keeps up with its dredging responsibilities. Thank goodness the slipways have been protected as a marine amenity to this real working harbour.

6 comments:

  1. I hope the council keeps up with all its responsibilities for the port, I understand some of the linkspan maintenance is very poor and the fenders on the ferry berths are falling off. The HSE has put TDC under notice, one catastrophe at the port is enough.
    Good to see the headlines about a new ferry service, though rumour has it there was an enquiry from a couple of tourist who asked if there was a ferry to Dieppe. Our erstwhile head of harbours got the wrong end of the stick and couldn't wait to tell the press of the "new ferry business for the port"

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  2. Anon: I see in the local rag that boats in the harbour with unpaid mooring fees are to be auctioned in March / April. The proceeds could be used pay for some new fenders.

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  5. See Readit's vibrating finger syndrone is playing up again. That apart an excellent article and encouraging to see Ramsgate Harbour coming back to life.

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  6. I was just testing comment moderation while I was away, glad you liked the article Bluenote.

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