More dock space coming for Fort Amherst in major harbour upgrade
Fort Amherst basin set for a major expansion to support fishing fleet, says harbour authority
The Fort Amherst Harbour Authority is gearing up for a significant expansion to increase its capacity to accommodate more offloading fishing vessels.
The $17-million project is in its second phase and is set to expand infrastructure along the south side of the St. John's harbour as it continues to see a growth in the number of large vessels in recent years.
Glen Winslow, a fish harvester and the president of the Fort Amherst Harbour Authority, says the new facility will accommodate more boats, especially during peak seasons, which is a concern for a number of fish harvesters, including himself.
"I can't even tie my own boat because there's no room for me to tie on here," said Winslow.
Winslow says the expansion is long overdue and the community is ready for a revitalized space for local fish harvesters.
"During summer months, we actually have to go somewhere else and offload. We don't even come back because we can't get in here because it's so full. And we've reached the point now where we're actually turning people away," he said.
"We're dealing with a lot of congestion. Fish harvesters are sometimes frustrated because they have to wait long hours for an available spot to dock. This work is going to change that."
The construction, expected to wrap up in the next two years, will provide double the capacity to fish harvesters than its current space, to allow more 28-foot vessels at peak fishing seasons.
'Unsafe' conditions
Winslow says the goal is to create a harbour that can both better serve the industry's needs as more boats come in and be a safe docking spot.
"There were so many boats in the facility that if something had happened in the storm or a fire, there would've been millions and millions of dollars in damages done," said Winslow.
The harbour authority also says the new docking facility will be safer for expensive fishing gear.
Vessels are forced to double up or even triple up in some cases, which increases the risk of accidents, he says.
The facility was built in 1992; however, the project has been well underway in two phases since 2019.
The Fort Amherst authority's plans include building a new docking facility in addition to the existing one, which will provide a greater capacity for boats.
Alongside the additional docking space, there will be improvements to the breakwater, providing better protection from rough weather conditions.
Winslow says the expansion will future-proof the harbour, ensuring that it can support both the current fleet and the anticipated increase in vessel traffic over the next decade.
"We're also modernizing the infrastructure," he said.
"The electrical systems, such as the power capacity, is being upgraded too. This will allow fish harvesters to take advantage of that and plug in too when they dock here."
As the Fort Amherst Harbour Authority prepares to break ground on the project, there's a palpable sense of anticipation, especially for Winslow, whose father-in-law once held his current position with the harbour authority.
"While I'm getting older, I'm trying to stay till this is completed," Winslow said. "I often think about my father-in-law and how hard he worked.… I know he'll be pleased with us after this."
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With files from The Broadcast