POOR early season weather has affected activities at local harbours – with most figures much lower than the same period last year.

At West Bay visiting boats are down by almost 70 per cent with launches having dropped by 80 per cent up until June 1st.

Lyme Regis shows a similar trend with visiting boats down by 84% and launches down by 50 per cent.

Weymouth harbour is reporting a drop in small boat owners, under six metres, many giving up berths ahead of the start of the season although the harbour has seen more interest from the owners of larger boats, above 10 metres, seeking a berth.

Statistics from the Weymouth harbour master’s office show a drop of four per cent of visiting leisure boats, a 27 per cent decrease in slipway and jet ski launches and a 16 per cent drop in vessels passing through the harbour bridge to and from the inner marina.

On the plus side the number of non-resident fishing vessel visits is up by 133 per cent compared to a year ago and the majority of the 84 commercial berths within the harbour are taken.

Dorset councillors who sit on the harbours advisory committee are being told that with an early Easter and the beginning of the year marked by heavy rain and strong winds all harbour activities have remained at a low level – although the fishing fleet has taken advantage of any lulls in the weather.

“Reports from all three Dorset harbours show that business for the charter and trip boat sector and shoreside harbour traders is generally quiet, and while there are plenty of visitors around on sunny days, with the continued cost of living pressures, people are being economical with their money,” said a report to the committee.