PONTOONS aimed at attracting more leisure boats to west Donegal are to be developed in Bunbeg.
A tender has been issued for contractors interested in taking on the building project.
Bunbeg harbour was created almost 200 years ago to serve the local fishing industry.
In the earlier part of the 20th century it was a busy pier with herring and mackerel fishing the mainstay with lobster being landed from the Gaoth Dobhair islands.
But the forecast is that large fishing vessels will become less common, replaced instead by boats owned by holidaymakers.
To accommodate the leisure crafts it is proposed that a pontoon be developed along the inner pier and part of the outer pier to improve safety of access to smaller fishing boats and leisure boats.
Inviting expressions of interest Donegal County Council said Bunbeg harbour was ideally suited to a permanent pontoon due to the shelter that exists there.
“It is likely that larger fishing vessels will become less common at this location and that the harbour will experience mainly leisure craft. The proposed pontoons will be attached to the existing quay wall with no requirement for piling into the seabed.”
A new wall fixing system will be designed to accommodate a one in 200-year tidal event with allowances also being made for climate change.
It is anticipated that the structures will be in place for November of this year.
Putting the proposals to the Glenties Municipal District previously, Donegal County Council official Cathal Moss said, “Bunbeg is one of the few locations in County Donegal where vessels can safely berth all the year round and this has made it particularly attractive for leisure users.
“It is proposed to install a pontoon along the entire length of the Bunbeg pier to improve accessibility to all vessels and to ensure that said access is safe and appropriate to meet the needs of the users.
“Bunbeg is an ideal location for a pontoon development due to the shelter provided. The provision of this new marine infrastructure will enhance the area as a safe haven and will facilitate sustainable growth.”
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