Marina News:

(Most Recent News Arranged First)

April 2010 - New Update - Seaham Marina Development

The anticipated completion date for the marina development is now expected to go beyond the 13th June 2010 due to difficult weather conditions at the start of the year. Completion of the development, however, will still be completed during 2010.

Phase one of works, improvements to the slipway for launching boats, has already been completed. Phase two, installation of the dock gateway, is now well underway. The dock gateway will ensure that water is retained in the marina at times of low tide in order to keep the pontoons and boats afloat.

Phase three will be the delivery and fitment, during early summer, of the pontoons to accommodate nearly eighty vessels. Around 100 enquiries have already been received relating to the mooring of boats in the marina.

Phase four, the main marina business workshop building, is also well underway on the marina. The building will cater for six business units on the ground floor, and six on the first floor. Several parties have already displayed interest in the business units including boat sales, boat trips, and fresh seafood sales. The building will also provide WC's and showers.

Please note: Whilst works are being carried out on the marina, public access to the marina area is not permitted. Heavy Goods vehicles and heavy machinery will be frequently operating within the North Dock area. We will update this website with further details once the marina is officially open.

Thursday 23rd July 2009 - Tourism and Visitor Plans laid out for the Marina

County Durham Development Partnership reveals its plans for Seaham to an audience of 100 people which included tourism professionals, business people, and councillors at the Seaham Hall and Serenity Spa. The destination development plan focuses on turning Seaham into a future tourism hotspot within County Durham.

Seaham Harbour is the only coastal harbour within the County of Durham, North East England. Under the plans the marina will become a focal point for tourism and visitor activities.

Plans for the marina include busy market stalls selling wet fish, opening up the promenade on the North Pier to visitors, continental style cafes and restaurants, an annual calendar of events such as a deep sea angling competition, water sports activities, and a shuttle bus service which will link the marina with surrounding destinations such as hotels and the Dalton Park retail outlet.

Monday 20th July 2009 - Main phase of Marina works officially begin

An official ceremony today has signalled the commencement of works to convert the old North Dock at Seaham Harbour into a luxury new marina.

The new marina, which will be completed by May 2010, is expected to include pontoons for around eighty moorings with facilities for both leisure craft and commercial craft. There will be new dock gates, and the slipway will be refurbished. The marina development will accommodate a quayside building for up to twelve new businesses, including a cafe, surf shop, and public toilets. There are also plans for heritage development within the area which include restoration of some of the old buildings within the North Dock area. Finally, it is hoped that charter boat facilities will also be available at the marina.

Thursday 16th July 2009 - Marina developer appointed

Friday 15th May 2009 - George Elmy Lifeboat returned to Seaham

The George Elmy lifeboat was brought back to its rightful home today at Seaham Docks. The lifeboat capsized on the 17th November 1962 just outside of Seaham Harbour after returning from saving the crew of a fishing boat. Nine lives were lost. Many believed the lifeboat had been scrapped years ago but, amazingly, the lifeboat was spotted on eBay by a member of the East Durham Heritage Group. With help from other individuals and parties, such as HM Coastguard Seaham, the lifeboat was eventually purchased and is currently located on the South Dock. A restoration project is planned to restore the lifeboat.