Huge Investment Pumped Into Gibraltar’s Ocean Village Marina

PRLog (Press Release) - Jan 27, 2010 -
Most developers are keeping ambitious plans on ice right now.  The climate doesn’t feel right for spending - unless you’re Gibraltar’s Ocean Village that is.  Several hundred thousand pounds is currently being pumped into this award-winning marina to initially create an additional 50 premier berths to accommodate yachts of up to 90 metres.  But why now?  

Brian Stevendale, Sales & Marketing Director for Ocean Village, explains, “For us it’s quite simple, we have a pent-up demand for oversized berths and we must deliver them.  Gibraltar’s marinas are constantly busy and can turn away upwards of 100 boats a day in peak season.  In particular we’re seeing an increased frequency of large superyachts wanting to use the Rock not just for fuel but also as a base.  At Ocean Village we’re responding by growing from 225 to 323 berths and most of them will be over 25 metres in length.  While economic conditions may be less than rosy across the border, Gibraltar continues to grow.”

Committing to this degree of investment in the midst of a global crisis isn’t as absurd as it appears.  There is always a sector of the population that remains largely unaffected by recession and owners of megayachts fall nicely into that category.  This luxury industry is far from sinking but instead struggling to keep up with orders as the world’s billionaires compete amongst themselves on size and all manner of features from swimming pools to helipads.  

Brian continues, “But even billionaires face problems and right now that’s a lack of berths large and deep enough to accommodate this ever-growing fleet of megayachts.  And, they don’t just want a patch of water, they want the lifestyle that goes with it.  Gibraltar has obvious appeal to yacht owners on a number of levels, from a strategic geographic location to cut-price fuel, not to mention a favourable system of taxation, and people are choosing the Rock over-and-above marinas in Spain.  At Ocean Village we’re privileged to have an array of dining and drinking establishments, Gibraltar’s only casino, fashion boutiques and a balmy southern Mediterranean climate conducive to outdoor living.  And, with low daily berth rental rates, we make financial sense versus the more obvious marinas in the Mediterranean.”  
         
Daily rates for Ocean Village’s new berths with secure, gated and coded entry, start from as little as £15.50 for a 15 metre berth rising to £450 per day for vessels above 75 metres (low season).  A 20% discount is available for annual bookings when paid in advance in full.  Demand is high and waiting lists exist for certain LOA.

For further information on berths at Ocean Village contact Ocean Village’s Sales & Marketing Director Brian Stevendale on brian.stevendale@oceanvillage.gi, telephone 00 350 200 40048 or visit www.oceanvillage.gi.

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