Construction of the new Cowes breakwater is to start at Easter, Cowes Harbour Commission (CHC) has announced.

CHC has appointed construction firm Boskalis Westminster to build the new £7
million detached breakwater. The construction of
the new breakwater will be carried out in two phases. The initial construction phase will continue through
the summer of 2014 and will then be followed by a consolidation period to allow
for settlement of the breakwater structure during the autumn through to spring
2015. The contractor will then return to Cowes to re-dress the core structure
and complete the construction of the breakwater during the summer of 2015.

 The construction of the 350 metre long breakwater is the
first phase of transforming Cowes into a “true sheltered harbour”. The project is a joint initiative between
CHC and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) with both parties funding the
work, with co-operation from the Crown Estate.

 Capt. Stuart McIntosh, Cowes Harbour Master, said: “The signing of the
breakwater construction contract is a significant milestone.” The breakwater is the first and most important
component of the new harbour protection and infrastructure to be delivered as
part of this partnership project. CHC will continue to work with the HCA to
deliver the harbour authority’s priority of completing the sea defences by the
delivery of the second phase: the extension to the Shrape breakwater and the
dredging of the new Eastern Channel, which will be brought forward as part of
the HCA’s proposed new marina at East Cowes.

 Cowes Harbour Commission will issue regular navigational
information and news updates for stakeholders and harbour users during the
construction process. More information on the Cowes breakwater project can be
found on the CHC website: www.cowesharbourcommission.co.uk.