Whitehaven Marina has announced the successful completion of its annual sea lock maintenance in readiness for the coming summer season.

The lock closure and maintenance was timed to cause the least disruption to Whitehaven Marina users and this year, unlike in 2014, there was no requirement to fully drain the lock so the time that the sea lock was closed to traffic was reduced.

Now the lock gates, that have successfully protected the marina and the 400 boats inside from the Irish Sea after another year of heavy storms, have successfully undergone a structural inspection together with the maintenance of the hydraulics, electrical systems, seals, anodes and backup systems.

This year the focus was to carry out repairs to the pontoons on either side of the lock that vessels secure to on entry or departure. Much of the work was carried out by the cheerful Whitehaven staff in very cold and wet conditions!

Whitehaven Marina sea lock

Mark Bowden, operations director of marina projects who operate Whitehaven Marina, said: ‘Like the massive sea walls which form the outer and inner harbours, the Sea Lock is a vital part of the infrastructure that protects the town from flooding; controls the water levels inside and provides a sheltered haven for the various types of vessels that use Whitehaven Marina.’

The Sea Lock was constructed in 1998 at a cost of £6.7million and formed the integral part of the regeneration of Whitehaven Harbour and town. Approximately 3400 vessels a year pass through the Sea Lock which is manned 24/7.