From Chris Fairbairn.
MY distant cousin (distant in that he lives close to Grosnez and I live on the south coast) Filoche, phoned me to say that after reading ‘The Post’ the other night some people might have thought that Perry Garrod’s letter (JEP, 19 October) was a load of rubbish as it was entitled, ‘A new east coast marina’.

Was Filoche’s thinking being impaired by having his tongue in his cheek – well let’s see? He questioned who in their right mind would want to build a new marina six miles closer to France than St Helier’s, situated in a splendid, quiet, deep water location which, incidentally, is the only natural harbour in the Island with 24-hour a day access, protected by a huge pre-built breakwater extending for three-quarters of a mile, needing just a simple additional arm to be built on existing foundations of a previous wall, to create a modern much sought-after new yacht port. Who indeed?

Well, evidently not Jersey Harbours I thought, whose latest marina ‘concept’ is believed to include dredging the harbour bed in front of Commercial Buildings, which may contain bedrock, then ponding this historical and unique drying harbour between South Pier and the top of the New North Quay, by half-tanking the beautiful dry stone walls, then building two, yes two, new retaining mechanical entrance sills keeping the boats afloat all day, but curiously restricting their access in and out to just three hours either side of high water.

This latest ‘concept’ from Jersey Harbours which appears to be a very closely guarded secret (and one can see why) is believed to follow a major rethink of its first ill-thought-out ‘other concept’ for the area, both of which, I am told, have given little or no thought to the existing 400 or so boat owners, many of whom may be forced out by the expected trebling of mooring fees, with nowhere else to go.

It is suggested that the final ‘concept’ will house less boats than before, as of course – pontoons and walkways take up space too; one more reason to wonder why they could be spending all this money.

Do Jersey Harbours really want to make us into a mini-Monaco as recently reported, where temperatures to day, incidentally, were 13°C warmer and which has just a 3 ft tidal range compared with our 38 ft. rise and fall, and don’t forget – Monaco has a zero tax regime – still with me?

As the phone line spluttered and another 10p was shoved into the slot at Jersey’s last northerly coin box, my cousin questioned: ‘Have the aliens arrived from the planet Zog in the form of ‘consultants’ who, with little working knowledge of our tidal ranges or the practical and less costly alternatives, are feeding us expensive advice?’

Cousin Filoche may often have an obtuse sense of humour, but on this occasion maybe he has a point! I’ll let you decide for yourself, tongue in cheek of course!