Guernsey Boat Owners Submit Petition Regarding Mooring Fee Hikes

A petition opposing higher mooring fees in Guernsey has been submitted by boat owners. Nick Guillemette, who serves as president of the Guernsey Boat Owners Association, stated that approximately 1,200 individuals, including boat owners, marine traders, and their supporters, had affixed their signatures to the petition since July. The petition was drafted in opposition to recent increases in mooring fees and proposed further fee hikes scheduled for 2025 and 2026. Following the initiation of the petition, Deputy Peter Roffey, who is the President of the States’ Trading and Supervisory Board (STSB), consented to a meeting with boat owners to establish the fees for the upcoming five years. Mr Guillemette commented that this agreement provided them with “a sense of stability to calm things down.” Previously, a group of 13 boat owners convened outside the Royal Court of Guernsey. While speaking outside the court, he conveyed that individuals were concerned about their ability to afford boat ownership. He stated that even after engaging in meetings with Guernsey Ports and holding discussions with the STSB, “we weren’t going to let it go just like that.” Peter Lloyd, who holds the position of Commodore for the Royal Channel Island Yacht Club, characterized the suggested fee increases as “bonkers.” He further added, “We’re hoping to get the deputies to recognise that increasing the fees by extortionate amounts is a very dangerous idea, because it’ll throw away the good work we’ve done here, and boat owners will leave.”