MDL owned and operated Sparkes Marina recently completed the first phase of a £600,000 maintenance project. In advance of the main boating season, a full dredge of the marina removed 6,000m³ of silt, which equates to just over two 50m long swimming pools, reinstating the design bed levels throughout the basin and ensuring full tidal access to all berths. The marina also completed the first stage of a rolling programme of replacing all pontoons, pontoon equipment and mooring piles, which will be carried out over the coming years.

"Within just three weeks we removed all the pontoons and relocated boats before the barge arrived to dredge the entire marina in less than four weeks. The dredging programme could not have been completed this quickly without the co-operation of our berth holders. They have been fantastic throughout the duration of these works; temporarily re-locating their boats to one of the six nearby MDL marinas or taking storage ashore here at Sparkes. I hope that our berth holders and visitors to the marina enjoy these latest improvements," says Carl Jermaine, Marina Manager, Sparkes Marina.

After dredging, walkway and pontoons were re-installed at the marina. In addition, the main and outer walkway piers, which attract the heaviest footfall of berth holders and visitors, were replaced as well as the pontoon berths on Pier F. Berth holder boats began returning to their home berths at the beginning of April.
 
At the end of each season MDL begins its annual dredge planning with hydrographic surveys undertaken before starting dredging works. The company carries out a rolling dredge programme, which enables individual sectors of its marinas to be dredged on an annual basis, or larger sections if required.

MDL also continues to invest in improvement works across its marinas each year to maintain high quality sites. Since acquiring Sparkes in 2007, MDL has carried out many improvement works which includes reinforcing the grounds of the storage parks, putting safety railings around the perimeter of the marina, a refurbishment of the marina office as well as the fuel pumps, and is committed to further enhancements including improvements at other MDL sites. Recently, Brixham Marina benefited from a refit to the main office and enhanced reception area as well as a significant refurbishment to the facilities block. A major £200,000 project on the pontoon mooring piles at Torquay Marina was also completed prior to the start of the season. Similar projects have been carried out at Brixham Marina and Queen Anne's Battery over the past two years.

Sparkes Marina is situated on the south-east tip of Hayling Island within Chichester Harbour, one of Europe's largest natural harbours. The 150-berth marina also has storage ashore for over 200 boats and a 40 ton mobile crane for boat lifts. Berth holders and visitors benefit from 24-hour, 7 days a week staffing and security from experienced and trained staff, showers, toilets, car parking, Wi-Fi, fuel berth and much more. A number of services are also offered from quality on-site tenants specialising in engineering, outboard engines, glass fibre repairs, rigging, sails and covers, marine carpentry, electrical, boat management and valeting.

For more information about Sparkes Marina, visit www.sparkesmarina.co.uk.

For more information about MDL Marinas and its portfolio of 21 marinas, visit www.mdlmarinas.co.uk.