Over Christmas 2009 and into the New Year, staff at the Embankment Marina worked hard in freezing conditions to install a new run of over 100 metres of new pontoons in the West end of the basin. Up to 14 long term berths for larger craft such as Dutch barges will be provided by the new floating walkway which is accessed from the West quay. Three of the new berths have already been occupied, with reservations on three more. The £60,000 investment is part of a ten-year business plan to re-generate the Basin and provide an attractive and interesting new focus in the Heritage Quarter of Gravesend.

 The Embankment Marina (Gravesend) Ltd have secured permission from the Port of London Authority (PLA) to commence dredging in the Basin. Since the capital dredge in 2005, when some 30,000 cubic metres of silt were removed, the tide has brought an estimated 5,000 cubic metres back in. With the way the lock is constructed, there is unfortunately no way of preventing water from the Thames coming in to the Basin at high tide, which happens every twelve and a half hours, 365/24/7. In past times, when the Gravesend/Medway canal was open, silt could be washed back out by releasing a flood of water from the canal, assisted by men with brooms and large squeegies. With this option no longer available The Marina has purpose-built its own suction dredger to deal with the problem. 

In November 2007 extensive work was carried out on the lock gates including re-facing the lock sill, sealing the mitre joint between the gates and repairing and sealing the joints between the gates and the wall. During the month-long works period, the basin was drained down to access the bottom of the lock barrel and the Thames flood gate together with two large pumps were used to prevent the tide re-flooding the site every high tide.

The outcome is a significant reduction in water leakage through the gates, enabling the Basin water level to be maintained at a higher level.

In May 2008 the first installation of serviced pontoons was completed along the North quay wall, providing an additional 12 berths for larger craft. The intention is to include moorings for the more traditional style of craft, including barges and narrowboats, in keeping with the history of the site and to provide an interesting and attractive feature.

During the winter we have also continued with our own regular improvements to the site so now the Embankment Marina is a much nicer place to moor – please tell your friends from other Clubs to come and visit! . 

Please tell us if you have any questions about The Embankment Marina by using the information on the "Contact" link to the top right of your screen. We will publish our answers on this page.