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Since its commissioning, this compulsory site for yacht maintenance has already enabled almost a hundred dry docking operations. Around sixty more are scheduled over the coming weeks.
An eagerly-awaited tool that's already in demand
Located in the port of Gravelines-Grand Fort, this 250 m² careening area enables boats up to 12 meters in length to be lifted, handled and maintained. It is equipped with a 13-ton jib crane, a 15-ton hydraulic cradle and fixed bowsers. Above all, it is equipped with a cleaning water treatment system, a crucial element in limiting the environmental impact of careening operations.
This project, supported by the French government via the Ministry of the Sea, the CUD (Dunkirk Urban Community) and the Sivom des Rives de l'Aa et de la Colme, required an investment of around 1.4 million euros.
Port governance still in question
At the official inauguration, attended by numerous representatives from the local maritime world, Jean-Pierre Herbez, the local councillor in charge of nautical affairs, underlined the complexity of the administrative set-up: "We've got a lot of work to do," he said There were a lot of interlocutors. But today, it's a relief for users, and a concrete step forward for the port. "
For Bertrand Ringot, Mayor of Gravelines, management responsibilities still need to be clarified: " The transfer of the marina from the département to the CUD needs to be settled. And we mustn't forget the silting-up of the port, which is always a problem. "
A developing port
With 430 berths spread between the Bassin Vauban, the Quai des Islandais and the Anse des Espagnols, the Gravelines marina aims to boost its appeal. The addition of this crane and careening area marks a further step towards greater technical autonomy, for the benefit of owners and professionals alike.
Gravelines has acquired an essential tool for boat maintenance, in line with the expectations of today's coastal yachting industry. What remains to be done is to support this dynamic with stabilized governance and sustainable silting management.
