Weymouth Harbour produced a £300,000 profit for last year – but has reported a mixed picture for visitor numbers.

The harbour board’s annual report, which will go before the borough council next week (26th), says visitor yacht nights were just over 5,200 – up 3.7% compared to the previous year, but down 1% on the three-year average.

Inner harbour marina moorings were down 7% year on year with occupancy at 62 per cent of 411 spaces.

Eighty per cent of the commercial moorings were occupied during the year – the same as the previous 12 months.

“The industry generally is experiencing challenging times along the south coast with lower levels of trade in both moorings and visitor movements. A proactive and varied advertising campaign continues for both commercial and leisure vessels with the aim of increasing the business,” said harbour master Keith Howorth.

Plans for the current year include connecting the Westwey Road toilets to the main sewer; refurbishing the cargo stage and Custom House Quay pontoon decking; new wood decking on two North Quay pontoon arms; an extension of wi-fi coverage and some limited dredging.

Repairs also continue to the harbour walls with options being considered for the wall near the Ferry Steps with the hope that work will start in the autumn or winter. This is likely to be followed by sheet piling work near Nelson’s Wharf.

“The condition of the harbour walls throughout is a collective concern. Although there is a programme of work to correct some of the issues it is proving to be more expensive than expected and is running later than anticipated,” said Mr Howorth.

Harbour management board chairman Cllr Ian Bruce has praised harbour staff for their “unstinting work”.

In his end of year report he says: “To support the Peninsula redevelopment, a Harbour Revision Order has been produced and is currently going through the public consultation phase. This will enable the harbour to tidy up out-dated legislation and clarify how the harbour should be funded in future. This will help as the new unitary council for Dorset and the Town Council for Weymouth are formed.

“The condition of the harbour walls is continually being monitored and opportunities

taken to secure the significant funding required to keep the walls in a good, safe

condition. Some repair work using council funding is planned for later in 2018.”