The new deep water marina at Roscoff-Bloscon will be opening its jetties to yachts on15thJune. 350 berths have already been rented out on an annual basis. Situated at the entrance to the Bay of Morlaix, the new marina is a model of environmental protection and sustainable development and is set to host sailing events as from this summer.
The one thing missing from the magnificent Bay of Morlaix up to now was a deep water marina offering a port of call worthy of this beautiful North Brittany coast. This need has been fulfilled by the opening of the Roscoff-Bloscon marina, complete with 625 berths. Pleasure boat sailing in the Channel brings in an increasing number of European yachts. In Roscoff these yachts will benefit from an easily accessible port, open to the sea.
In addition to welcoming visitors, for whom 50 berths are available, the new port is being used to forge strong links with sportby organizing sailing events. This summer, on12th and 13thJuly, the port will host a stage of the yachting Tour de France, which will see some twenty M34 yachts competing. And on 29th July, Roscoff -Bloscon will be the port of departure for the « Tourduff », the famous regatta that sails around Finistere. An event, moreover, that can count on the dynamism of the Bay of Morlaix’s five race ambassadors: Jérémie Beyou, Damien Cloarec, Bruno Jourdren, Armel Le Cléac’h and Nicolas Troussel – the last two of whom will also be contestants in the yachting Tour de France. And for the summer of 2013, a stopover in the Solitaire du Figaro is on the horizon.
The dynamism surrounding the port of Roscoff-Bloscon has succeeded in making it a model of environmental protection. It has been very carefully designed in consultation with all the relevant experts. For example: the seawall that was originally planned to continue out south of the port has been replaced with a floating wave-breakerin order to allow currents to circulate freely and to avoid silting of the port.
The same approach has been adopted for the design of the on-shore infrastructure; work begins in early September in order to ensure completion in 2013, in time for the high season. Top-notch facilities will guarantee water quality and High Environmental Quality (HEQ) buildings, as well as suitable amenities for people with reduced mobility, whowill benefit from 13 specially adapted berths.
This summer, provisional arrangements have been made for showers and toilets as well as for the Harbour Master’soffice. The launch slipway will be accessible from early July, the shiplift will be in operation at the beginning of August, the fuel stations will be running from 20th August, and the careening area will be fully functional in 2013.
For the Morlaix Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI)* who spearheaded the scheme, the creation of the Roscoff-Bloscon marina is underpinned by a desire to develop the economic potential of the nautical sector, with a port well supplied with maritime shops and leisure services, all of which create jobs.
* The Morlaix CCI has provided 60% of the investment for improvements to the Roscoff-Bloscon site. The rest has been provided by funding from Europe, the French State, the Regional Council of Brittany, the Finistère County Council, the Commune Councils of the Léonard Region, and the Town Council of Roscoff.