Marinas fall victim to climatic phenomena
The subject of climate change affects all sectors of society. In direct contact with nature and its main element: the ocean, the nautical industry is necessarily in the front row. Marinas have been heavily affected in recent months and years by meteorological phenomena whose violence tends to increase. After the images of hurricane Irma in the West Indies, but also storms in mainland France, such as Xynthia in La Rochelle or more recently Adrian in Corsica and Italy, showing gutted boats and ravaged marinas, BoatIndustry wanted to question marinas on their actions to face and anticipate climate change.
Raising the wharves and reinforcing the dikes
Average sea levels have already risen. Continued melting of the ice caps due to global warming is expected to amplify the phenomenon. Depressions, which are becoming deeper and more violent, are adding a higher average surge, to which are added larger waves. The sum of these elements implies a modification of the port infrastructures, by raising the quays, lengthening the pontoons and reinforcing the dikes.
" We can see the rise in water levels. In our Mediterranean ports, we can see at least 20 to 30 additional centimeters on the highest waters. "Ludovic Richard of Sodeports, a company that has been managing this facility for more than 50 years, confirms. " Today, half of the platforms need to be raised. "
The observation is the same in Morbihan. " The raising of the quays is underway in Vannes. On the issue of storms, we are working on the height of the piles used to fix the pontoons and on the reinforcement of the groins protecting our ports. "says François Goulard, president of the Compagnie des Ports du Morbihan.
Complex investments to finance
From awareness to action is a difficult step to take. The work is generally the responsibility of the marina manager who has been granted a concession by the public authorities. As the duration of these concessions tends to decrease, the amortization time of the investments is limited. The trade-off is not always in favor of these essential but not very visible works. " We are aware, but not the communities. There is no collective awareness. "Ludovic Richard regrets. " This is discussed in the marina associations, it comes just after the cost of dredging, the end of concessions and abandoned boats. But these are heavy investments that are difficult to finance through public service contracts (NDLR Public Service Delegation) short ."
