We are continuing to monitor the marine industry’s response to the latest statements from HMRC on the use of red diesel in leisure craft. Those who stay within UK waters are able to carry on as before, filling their tanks with red diesel and claiming a reduced rate of duty on diesel used for "domestic" (heating and generation) purposes.

However, those who wish to take their boats abroad may find that they are breaking the laws of other European member states, where leisure craft are required to have "white" (unmarked) diesel in their tanks, to show that full duty has been paid.

The renewal of pontoon F is complete and boats are back in their berths, moored to the new fingers. The electrical system has been upgraded, too.

In about a month work will start on production of fingers and decks in preparation for next year’s phase of this rolling infrastructure improvement project.

Meanwhile the dredging campaign is almost finished. Muddy Boots is currently working in the entrance channel and operations are expected to be complete by the end of the month.