Salcombe Harbour has reported a modest financial surplus while preparing for a busy boating season, with maintenance work, safety improvements and new infrastructure projects underway across the estuary.
A report by harbour master Cameron Sims-Stirling outlines operational updates, safety incidents and investment in facilities across Salcombe and Kingsbridge ahead of the main sailing season.
The Harbour Authority is forecasting a surplus of £22,800 for the 2025/26 financial year — around 1.4% of the £1.68 million gross budget. The report says the positive balance has been driven by increased income from harbour dues, the harbour water taxi and plant hire, although this has been partly offset by higher seasonal staffing costs and spending on mooring equipment.
A final financial outturn report is expected to be presented to the harbour board in June.
Work has continued throughout the winter to prepare the harbour for the start of the boating season.
All 357 deep water moorings and 580 foreshore moorings were serviced over the winter period, with buoys cleaned, ropes renewed and equipment checked. Harbour staff also completed winter lifting operations for 103 vessels scheduled for storage ashore.
The harbour’s moorings policy has also been updated, outlining how facilities are allocated and managed.
Under the policy, the harbour authority controls and maintains deep water moorings, while some private or privately-maintained moorings are permitted in certain areas. Allocation of mooring licences generally prioritises people who pay council tax to South Hams District Council, with waiting lists maintained for different types of berths.
The harbour authority currently manages hundreds of mooring facilities across the estuary, including resident and visitor berths, pontoons and foreshore swinging moorings.
Several infrastructure improvements have also taken place over the winter months.
Works have been completed at the Batson boat park and slipway, funded through the council’s marine infrastructure reserve, while new facilities have been installed at the harbour depot including upgraded fuel storage, a black water pump-out and pressure washing equipment.
A new harbour work barge is also under construction, with fabrication nearing completion and the vessel expected to move into the outfitting stage this spring before sea trials later in the year.
Meanwhile, a new tender and kayak rack has been installed on the slipway in Kingsbridge as part of efforts to improve facilities for harbour users.
The report also details a winter incident involving a harbour workboat during routine mooring maintenance.
On Thursday, December 18, four harbour boatmen were working near Newbridge when conditions deteriorated suddenly during a squall. Water entered one of the vessels and the crew were forced to run the boat ashore to prevent it sinking in deeper water.
The crew were rescued by colleagues in two nearby workboats and returned safely to the harbour workshop. No injuries were reported, although those involved were described as wet and cold.
The report states that improved assessment of weather conditions, weight distribution when deploying equipment and checks of onboard pumps could help reduce risks during similar operations.
The harbour authority has also confirmed support for a community watersports organisation operating in Kingsbridge.
The paddleboarding provider “Waterborn”, which has run activities on the quay for three seasons, is continuing as a community interest company. The organisation delivers training courses, marshals events and runs the annual SUP the Creek race, which forms part of the national stand-up paddleboard championships.
Harbour officials said allocating a commercial berth for a rescue boat would help support its ongoing activities.
The harbour board is expected to review further performance indicators and strategic planning progress at upcoming meetings as preparations continue for the summer season.
