Jersey
April 25, 2023
25 Apr 23 Jersey - with a correctly dressed HM!
St Helier is a "lifeline" port, 100,000 islanders rely on all parts of the port working 24/7, and in turn the Harbour Master. Luckily Bill Sadler is a hugely experienced mariner having spent most of his career as skipper of Trinity House ships laying navigation marks around UK. His VTS (same as Air Traffic Control for boats) is spot on and he is also the Chief Coastguard. Added to all his statutory responsibilities is the redevelopment of the harbour costing £90M. Being completely self governing Jersey politics is.... well, about as complicated as the tidal streams around the island. It will be very interesting to see the outcome of the development.
Bill's "most unexpected" moment was during the blockade of his harbour by 100 French fishing boats in 2021, Bill was asked where he would like two Royal Navy warships to position themselves to protect him!
St Helier is a complicated harbour. Facing south west into the prevailing wind it is now simply not big enough for today's traffic. Spread over nine different basins, commercial and ferries are mixed in with leisure and fishing boats. Demand for berths is so high, visitors are not a priority... you could say a mild inconvenience! The St Helier Marina staff were very friendly and the berths safe, however, I have to say, the marina could be more customer focussed. (There is no Marina VHF channel, the waiting pontoon is diffictult to locate, the traffic lights at the entrance are broken and it would be nice to be handed a Welcome to Sailors brochure which I found by chance in a chandlery).
On a previous trip I had met the retired HM of Jersey Brian Nibbs who now does tourist tours of the harbours. I think he has the easier job!
Thank you Bill for your very valuable time.
St Helier is a "lifeline" port, 100,000 islanders rely on all parts of the port working 24/7, and in turn the Harbour Master. Luckily Bill Sadler is a hugely experienced mariner having spent most of his career as skipper of Trinity House ships laying navigation marks around UK. His VTS (same as Air Traffic Control for boats) is spot on and he is also the Chief Coastguard. Added to all his statutory responsibilities is the redevelopment of the harbour costing £90M. Being completely self governing Jersey politics is.... well, about as complicated as the tidal streams around the island. It will be very interesting to see the outcome of the development.
Bill's "most unexpected" moment was during the blockade of his harbour by 100 French fishing boats in 2021, Bill was asked where he would like two Royal Navy warships to position themselves to protect him!
St Helier is a complicated harbour. Facing south west into the prevailing wind it is now simply not big enough for today's traffic. Spread over nine different basins, commercial and ferries are mixed in with leisure and fishing boats. Demand for berths is so high, visitors are not a priority... you could say a mild inconvenience! The St Helier Marina staff were very friendly and the berths safe, however, I have to say, the marina could be more customer focussed. (There is no Marina VHF channel, the waiting pontoon is diffictult to locate, the traffic lights at the entrance are broken and it would be nice to be handed a Welcome to Sailors brochure which I found by chance in a chandlery).
On a previous trip I had met the retired HM of Jersey Brian Nibbs who now does tourist tours of the harbours. I think he has the easier job!
Thank you Bill for your very valuable time.