About St Andrews Harbour Trust

The broad objective over time of the Harbour Trust [HT] is that

St Andrews Harbour becomes commercially viable, self-sustaining and able to furnish its own development, repair and maintenance requirements. In doing this, the HT serves its current customers and stakeholders, identifies and develops new markets to broaden its commercial base and provides creative use options for the local community, clubs and visitors. However, it is vital that the interests of the local commercial fishing fleet remain a foremost concern of the HT. The newly emerging Maritime Management strategy that follows Brexit may produce opportunities to expand the local fishing fleet and increase employment in that sector. The HT is committed to assisting in that where it can.

The St Andrews Harbour is a Trust Port Authority [TPA]. Within this legal framework St Andrews Harbour is also a charity. The whole of the St Andrews Harbour precinct is a Grade 1 listed asset. This provides both opportunities and restrictions. Each TPA is unique in its aims, objectives, requirements and situation. All TPAs are commercial entities and are required to be run as such, which means that for a small ancient harbour like St Andrews, all appropriate income streams must be explored. As commercial entities, they are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Any and all operating profit must be put back into the harbour to benefit the different groups.

The Harbour Trustees are a group of individuals who bring their expertise and experience to the HT, but who also donate their time free of charge. The responsibilities of the Trustees, the work they do individually and collectively can be demanding on occasion. They come from all walks of life and not all have previous maritime experience. To become a Trustee, you simply respond to the advertisement in the press and apply in the same way you would for any other job. The difference being, this job doesn't pay. The HT is delighted with the response to the recent advert as there are now several new Trustees.

Recent HT projects include the pontoon extension which has increased boat berths and providing much needed revenue for the HT. A hoist has been installed on the pontoons to provide access for disabled harbour users on and off their craft. The harbour ladders have all been replaced as have the life rings.

The HT projects and responsibilities are ongoing.

The fee system for all harbour users is being revised and modernised to better reflect the 21st Century's varied harbour usage and to fulfil the HT obligation to run the Trust on a commercial footing. A subgroup of Trustees has put their time into this quite detailed and necessary task.

The North Slipway is damaged and in need of repair. Various permissions, permits, inspections and plans must be organised. Applications for grants need to be explored and the cost of this one project is likely to be several hundred thousand pounds. This involves a lot of Trustee input.

Currently the HT is endeavouring to support the development of the local fishing fleet by providing Fishermens toilets and washing facilities, storage for fuel, fishing, safety and anti-pollution equipment which is required to be on site. This project is vitally important to the HT and the fishing fleet. The HT continues to work on this.

The HT will shortly advertise for the position of Harbour master for St Andrews Harbour. The job description is being finalised.

There are a number of other projects on going, not mentioned. Some are commercially sensitive and not for public disclosure. Others are which are embryonic and havent evolved far enough to have solid strategies to disclose.

All these activities take vision, take capital and time freely given.

For more information, please visit our facebook page: St Andrews Harbour