Laguna Marina has already got a waiting list of almost 30 boats, after only one full year of operation, according to general manager Daniel Ashforth.The marina opened in 2013 and was a runaway success by last summer – and it is already building up a waiting list for its 60 berths.
The marina occupies a manmade lagoon accessed through a rising bridge, with its own secure card-access for owners.
Because of the draft, the marina is being used exclusively for motor boats, with 42 permanent berths for boats up to 16m and a further 18 seasonal ones for ribs and tenders.
The marina operators, Mersenne, have adopted a concierge approach. For example, the marina office has a socialising area, as well as showers and toilet facilities, and apart from sunrise-to-sunset berthing assistance, it also offers a shopping service to ensure that berthholders can turn up and take off.
Valletta Cruise Port is particularly satisfied with the marina, with chief executive officer Stephen Xuereb saying it “completed” the site.
“It has linked the seaside and landside, creating activity and a visual focus for both cruise passengers and patrons of the Valletta Waterfront outlets,” he said.
“We knew what we wanted and this is why we waited to find the right partner as we want to maintain the prestige of the site.”
Such high visibility brings with it responsibility and as part of the package, boats are cleaned every week, for example.
Apart from being the marina operator, Mersenne is a major brokerage company and the agent for Windy Boats for Malta, Italy and North Africa. Its brokerage has over 2,000 new and used boats listed and it is organising a boat show at the Laguna Marina between May 1 and 3, being co-funded by Valletta Cruise Port, to showcase new and used boats. “We sold three new boats last year, as well as a considerable number of second-hand ones. And this year, we have already sold one new boat but anticipate much more business,” Mr Ashforth said.
“There is a very strong market for used boats as they are more affordable. We always advise clients to get the right boat.
“Far too many boats end up for sale again because their owners do not get enough use out of them. It is better to buy something smaller which is easy to handle and then upsize after a while.”
He noted that over the years it had become easier to buy boats, partly because the amount of marina space had increased – but also because more financing was now available.
“Mersenne will make it a priority to find a berth at Laguna for anyone who buys during the boat show,” Mr Ashforth said.