WEYMOUTH Harbour has enjoyed a better-than-expected season – despite a slow start because of poor weather.

Most figures for the council-owned venture are up compared to last year with near-full berths, a waiting list for some boat lengths and commercial spaces almost at capacity.

The only figures which are down are launches from the slipway and bridge lifts.

The figures for West Bay and Lyme Regis harbours are less good although at West Bay boat lifts and quayside parking were significantly up as were sales from the shop and diving air refills.

In Lyme Regis it was a similar picture with both West Dorset harbours seeing a drop in season tickets and visiting boat nights.

Wemouth Harbour Master Ed Carter told councillors on the Harbours Advisory Committee that almost small small berths had been let with the harbour having a waiting list for vessels of 10metres or more.

Revenue from visiting leisure vessels had gone up by 7.4per cent while non-resident fishing vessel visits had increased by 185per cent – almost 40per cent of this due to just one boat.

On the negative side Mr Carter said the new fuel pontoon at the Peninsula had missed the season partially because of a lack of mains power to the area, previously reported, but said he hoped it would be operational soon, along with other new facilities in the area such as cold stores.

It is hoped that harbour staff will be able to operate the pontoon during ‘office hours’ although are likely to be able to accommodate larger vessels out of hours.

The meeting heard that repair work on walls F and G were expected to start soon with engineers investigating if they could combine the works needed on walls A and B.