A
major clean-up
operation is
underway at
Holyhead Marina in
Anglesey, north Wales after
around 85 boats were
destroyed or damaged
during Storm Emma.
Gales of up to 70mph left
yachts and boats either sunk
or beached on 2 March.
Polystyrene from the
marina’s pontoons washed
up, chest deep in places, and
booms were brought in to
contain diesel and other
debris, which has since
spread along miles of the
Anglesey coastline. A
signifi cant amount of fuel had
to be pumped out of some of
the larger vessels.
The Maritime and
Coastguard Agency (MCA)
said it was ‘unclear’ how longthe clean-up would take.
Jonathan Fox moored his
Fiskars Finnfi re 33, Mikki Finn
at Holyhead Marina.
Speaking to PBO just days
after the incident, he still had
no idea where the yacht was.
‘Mikki Finn is not visible at
the moment. I can only guess
as to her position. I’m hoping
she was overwhelmed by the
waves but looking at the
damage of other vessels it’s
not looking good,’ he said.
‘Sadly I only had a handful
of sailing trips around
Holyhead bay on her. It’s
fair to say I barely got out of
the blocks.’
Fox described the initial
response to the devastation
as ‘slow and confused’.
North Wales Police are
investigating reports of
looting from some of theCatastrophic damage to
Holyhead Marina after storm
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[email protected], tel: 01252 555213wrecked boats.
Mark Rosenthal lost his
Victory 42, Lily. He also said
he had ‘no word’ from the
marina owners and that
Holyhead Sailing Club, which
lost their winter racing fl eet,
had been relaying
information to boat owners.
‘None of us have received
an email explaining what has
happened,’ he said, addingthat many people were
frustrated, having
volunteered to help with the
clean-up, but were being
advised by the MCA to leave
the work to the professionals
due to health and safety
concerns.
The Holyhead Port
Authority is privately owned
by Stena Line Ports, which is
working with the likes of theHolyhead Marina before
the devastation wreaked
by Storm EmmaThe public was warned to
stay away due to health
and safety concerns