Note cargo vessel in centre background
This report is based on a brief visit to the marina in July 2010, where we met up with friends who had lived aboard in the marina over the previous winter. There had been a good community of liveaboards, who had generally enjoyed themselves despite some difficulties arising from the incomplete state of the marina. There is now considerable interest in the marina due to the competitive rates on offer, and many boats (a figure of 400 was mentioned) are said to be interested in coming there for the next winter.
The marina is situated in the lagoon south west of Messolonghi town, and is approached by a long, dredged and marked channel from the Gulf of Patras. Once inside the lagoon, keep clear of the small green buoys marking the shallows to the east, and proceed towards the marina situated on the western side of the lagoon. It is possible to anchor free in the lagoon, keeping clear of the centre in case of commercial shipping movements.
Shelter inside the marina is good, protected from the lagoon by a floating pontoon breakwater (not yet completed). More pontoons are under construction. Electric points and lazy lines are now installed on most of the existing pontoons.
The marina is still under construction. A building intended to be a restaurant is at present housing the marina office, and part of this has been made available for use by the liveaboards during the past winter. A small toilet and shower block has now been completed. A building that will house the marina office, shops, etc. is under construction, but possibly less than half completed. The other retail block shown on the plans, travel lift dock and workshop building have not been started. The current work is concentrated on clearing the site so that more boats can be accomodated on shore.
Boats are lifted ashore by crane at the present time, and cradles used to hold them. With no previous yachting industry in the location, most services have to be obtained from as far afield as Corinth. It is intended at some time in the future to offer maintenance and refitting services. There are washing machines, operated on an electronic card system. Otherwise the facilities such as chandlery, cafe/restaurant, supermarket depend on completion of the building under construction. Fuelling by mini tanker is available subject to a minimum order, and gas bottle refills are available in town. At the time of our visit there was a wifi system (maintained by liveaboards), but across the harbour there was another open wifi operating.
The impression gained is that the marina management are concentrating on construction, and as yet give relatively little priority to looking after the clients. Yiannes Angelopoulos, the general manager, is an engineer. The Dutch investors are not normally on site.
Monthly charge rates (VAT extra) for the period to March 2011 are given in the price list below. Discounts are available for payment in advance on contracts for 6 and 12 months, of 10% and 20% respectively. Longer term arrangements by negotiation. The daily rate was quoted as 1.5 euros per metre, plus VAT (now 23%). Catamarans 20% extra.
Messolonghi is a pleasant university town with all facilities, including a good modern hospital and other medical services. It does not die in winter. It is however some way from the marina, and some form of transport would be necessary. Some commercial shipping uses the quay space intervening between the marina and the town. There are some yacht berths in the north east corner of the basin, and space for visiting yachts adjacent to these on the north quay - a tender in the water might reduce the walk. Good supermarkets are not too far away, e.g. Carrefour and Dia.
Messolonghi has an airfield for private jets and helicopters. Patras airport is half an hour away, Aktio (Preveza) 1.5 hours, and Athens 2.5 hours by taxi. There is no public transport available close to the marina.
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| A view from the marina across the lagoon towards the town | The present 'working berths' |
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| A corner of the marina | Concrete pontoons with services and lazy lines Note cargo vessel in centre background |
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| The office/recreation building (restaurant to be) | The toilet and shower block |
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| Designated for office and shops |
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| Brochure showing intended plan |
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| Price list for 2010/2011 |
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| A futuristic brochure |