We have a problem in Salcombe. Normandy pontoon is sinking, because the winter storms seem to have cracked a weld in the section of pontoon which supports the bridge; and it’s leaking. This is an odd-shaped pontoon and the only one not to have been replaced when Normandy was extended last year. The section needs taking away to be repaired: but it is difficult to get out. The steel bridge is very heavy and the only crane strong enough to lift it can’t get round the bend at the entrance to Fore Street.
So the solution is to sink a pile just by the bridge, install a davit on the pile and use that to take the weight of the bridge to allow the pontoon to be slipped out from under. With a bit of luck, it will all be back in place by Easter – and we will be left with a pile with nothing more to do.
Work proceeds in Kingsbridge but slightly more slowly than expected as the shale is proving resistant to the wooden piles. You can drive steel piles through anything but have to be very careful using a diesel hammer on wooden piles as they suddenly start going in at a funny angle, or even splitting. It is delicate work. To complicate matters further, low high tides have meant that the pile-driving barge was not getting enough depth of water to float and so was unable to move. But you never know, by the time you read this, everything may be finished!
This month I found myself talking to Salcombe Yacht Club about how the Harbour might change over the next 50 years. It’s difficult enough to look five years ahead, let alone 50. I suggested that much will depend on jobs and the local economy – will South Hams thrive any time soon?; local demographics – will young people continue to leave the area only to be replaced by retirees?; and will climate changes deter people from venturing out to sea so there would be more boating within the Harbour? I don’t know, but it’s a debate worth having.
Adam Parnell has been appointed as the new Salcombe Harbour Master. Like Ian Gibson, Adam is a former RN Commander and a former Warfare Officer. He is expected to start at the beginning of May, a few days before Ian retires.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.