Andratx limits its moorings

11/05/2012 00:00

Andratx.In summers past, there have been plenty of craft dropping anchor ad hoc off the Port of Andratx but now the regional Ministry for Tourism and Sports are stepping in to set up two main areas where controlled mooring will be permitted. The project consists of establishing 75 anchoring points spread over two zones, one north and one south of the Port.

In the first, which stretches between the external jetty of the harbour wall and the sailing club, 45 moorings have been mapped out for boats of between 6 and 20 metres in length.

The second zone, situated on the other side of the entrance channel into the Port, will have 30 moorings for boats of between 8 and 20 metres in length.

As a further measure to keep control of berthing in the Port of Andratx, a collapsible floating pontoon will be installed alongside the harbour wall's external jetty. It is anticipated that primary use will be made of these facilities by dinghies used to ferry boat owners and their passengers out to vessels moored offshore.

The Balearic government has made it known that all these preparatory works are being carried out by a separate company which has been contracted by the Sailing Club in the Port of Andratx. The company has been awarded a three year contract to set up and manage the mooring facilities.

The works of making ready the offshore anchoring buoys and pontoon are reportedly taking two and a half months to finish, but as the operation is well under way, completion is predicted for the beginning of next month.

The money for setting up controlled mooring has been put up in its entirety, around 140'000 euros, by the Sailing Club in the Port of Andratx.