Owners of yachts berthed at Ta Xbiex yacht marina have formed an association which intends to bid for the running of the marina should the governemnt opt for privatisation.

The Gzira Garden Yacht Marina, as the new association is called, groups the owners of yachts berthed between Manoel Island petrol station and Ta' Xbiex water polo pitch.

Association chairman Rino Muscat Scerri said the association hoped to be in a position where it could run and develop the marina. He explained that there was potential to develop the marina through the placing of pontoons. The area, he said, also needed urgent upgrading and better security, especially in the area of the public garden, which, he complained, was badly maintained.

He hoped that should the governemnt issue a call for tenders for this marina, the current yacht owners would be given a right of first refusal.

The government last year privatised the marina in Mgarr Gozo as part of a process which started with the privatisation of the Grand Harbour Marina some years ago.

Last year the government declared a foundation of boat owners holding berths at Msida as preferred bidder for the privatisation of the Msida yacht marina.