THE St Sampson’s Marina will not be fully operational until the end of the year. The harbour redevelopment, originally due to be finished by December 2003, has been beset with problems, including equipment failure, survey discrepancies and problems getting Environmental Health clearance.

And yesterday, Public Services minister Bill Bell would not comment on the prospect of a possible overspend on the project, which was supposed to cost £3.2m.

‘It is very difficult to estimate the final cost before we look at the final accounts. This cannot be done until all the work is completed and the contractors have submitted their claims, they are evaluated and the overall picture is clear,’ he said.

‘When it is complete, the Bridge will become a much more attractive area and the boat owners will probably bring in additional trade.’

Deputy Bell yesterday admitted that getting the granite out of the area had proved a major stumbling block.

But the new pontoons have arrived and are set to be installed in the inner harbour.

‘Targets were set at the start but they have had to be modified because of circumstances. Getting the granite out of the ground has been more difficult than originally thought but progress is certainly being made,’ he said.

‘We are very glad to see the pontoons arrive.

‘I see the arrival of the pontoons as real progress and I think that when they see the pontoons in position, the public will agree.

‘Often, the public don’t notice any progress until the final structures are put in place but in fact much more work has been going on to make sure that the right foundations are put in place.’

Harbour master Captain Robert Barton said that the French Poralu pontoons were similar to those used in Jersey and Carteret.

They have non-skid plastic decking which requires less maintenance than the wooden ones, which rot and become mouldy if they are not regularly sprayed. The new pontoons also have fenders to reduce damage to boats.

Contractors are currently skimming the last sediment from the inner harbour and water will then be let in and a boom placed across the entrance to retain it.

The pontoons can then be installed.

The 120-berth inner harbour should be completed by the end of July.

Work on the 230-berth outer harbour will continue; it will not be finished until the end of the year. Dredging still has to be completed, sills finished and the piles and pontoons installed.

Yesterday, the gate frame was being fitted.

Captain Barton said that those boat owners who were not able to transfer their vessels to the harbour could continue to use their moorings in Longue Hougue and St Peter Port until berths became available at St Sampson’s.