EXTRA berths created at a Greenock marina which opened less than a year ago are already nearly full up.

James Watt Dock marina, which opened in mid July 2011, has finished its first extension -- for an additonal 15 berths for boats from seven to 25 metres -- and the marina is again filling up quickly, with only few berths to offer.

Craig Latimer, director of Blue Sea Marinas Ltd, who manage the marina, said: “The team at James Watt Dock Marina have worked hard against the odds and the harsh economic climate to bring the marina to fruition and we are proud to have achieved more than 70 berthers afloat in such a short time.

“We have also been pleasantly surprised with the mix of boats we have, which range from six-metre open boats up to 21-metres, and include eight modern race boats, an active fleet of SB20 sport boats, numerous cruising yachts, charter boats and even the Clyde pilot launch.”

Graeme Galbraith, the manager of the marina, who joined from Portavadie Marina earlier this year, said: “I grew up locally and have been really pleased to see the exiciting James Watt Dock regeneration project grow a marina so quickly and I couldn’t resist the opportunity to join the team to develop the marina further.

“Visitors and regulars all enjoy the fantastic dock, its convenient location, modern pontoons and friendly team and I am convinced that we’ll need to put in further pontoons before the 2013 season.”

The new extensions provide five further alongside berths for boats up to 25 metres and 10 new diagonal berths for boats up to nine metres. The new diagonal fingers, produced in Scotland by Varis Engineering of Forres, match a new design produced to Blue Seas’s specification and provide easier access and allow for a more efficient berthing pattern.

The installation of a new petrol pump and tank forms the next stage of development for the marina. This should be complete by the end of July. The team hope that the availability of petrol will encourage the use of the marina by rigid inflatable boats and other visitors, as well as providing a convenient facility for marina bertholders and commercial operators.

The marina is shortly to be home to the Key Yachting sales operation, the Hamble-based,  J Boat and Grand Soleil dealers, whose manager Peter Cameron has already moved in some sales stock and has completed a number of new deals at the marina.

Photos of the marina