I am writing to correct some misunderstanding in relation to the circumstances of the Weymouth Harbour Management Board. The board has been set up entirely as an advisory organisation reporting to the Management Committee of the borough council.

It is authorised to consider matters affecting the operation of the harbour and to make recommendations but it has no executive authority whatsoever. The board has consistently raised the need for more expenditure on harbour maintenance but it is only in recent years that the council has felt able to approve significant expenditure on the harbour.

Unfortunately it is the case that much of the harbour infrastructure is old and worn and the maintenance task quickly absorbs all of the funds that are made available. It is also important to note that there is no open vault of money available to be spent.

Such funds as are allocated must come within the income generated by the harbour and a fine balance is necessary between the need for income and the charges imposed on harbour users.

The harbour does make a net contribution to the council’s income and this works to the benefit of all of the council tax payers in the area.

It is entirely inappropriate to suggest that the Weymouth Harbour Board is in some way responsible for the damage caused to the ferry pier or that the board could have prevented it.

It is particularly reprehensible to single out any individual member of the board, such as the chairman, who I know to be diligent, hard working and well informed.

The meetings of the Harbour Board are available for the public to attend and attendance by some of the recent critical correspondents would perhaps serve to better inform them of the work of the Board.

Cdr Anthony Holt MBE FCMI MNI RN Independent Member Weymouth Harbour Board Damers Rd Dorchester