> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thequarry.media/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Guernsey harbour waiting list system under scrutiny as data reveals 84% rejection rate when offered St Sampsons instead of QEII this year - URL: https://www.thequarry.media/guernsey-harbour-waiting-list-system-under-scrutiny-as-data-reveals-84-rejection-rate-when-offered-st-sampsons-instead-of-qeii-this-year/ - Published: 2026-09-16T14:04:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-16T16:06:14.000Z - Author: The Quarry - Tags: News - FoI shows 84% of boat owners offered St Sampson's berths instead of preferred QEII Marina rejected them in 2026, up from 45% refusal rate in 2025 - Four formal enforcement directions issued at Guernsey harbours in seven years between 2020 and 2026 - Accepting a berth in non-preferred location results in complete removal from original waiting list, with applicants forced to restart at bottom or join transfer list - Data gaps revealed with no records held on whether applicants accepting St Sampson's berths retained QEII waiting list priority, and data for 2022-2024 not available - Marine traders can transfer waiting list positions to buyers when selling stock boats, potentially creating secondary market in waiting list priority Listen to this article 0:00 /0 1× A [Freedom of Information request](https://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=203623&p=0&ref=thequarry.media) has shown that boat owners overwhelmingly reject Guernsey Harbour berths in non-preferred locations, minimal enforcement action is taken, and some data on waiting list management is not being recorded. The questioning aimed at the use of St Peter Port and St Sampson's marinas between 2020 and 2026 has shown a system under growing pressure, with acceptance rates for alternative berth locations falling from 55% to 16% in little over a year. Four formal enforcement directions were issued during the seven-year period examined. One direction in 2020 was COVID-related, while one in 2023 and two in 2026 all involved vessels moored without allocated spots. No formal directions were recorded in 2021, 2022, 2024 or 2025\. No applicants who declined berths at St Sampson's were subsequently issued formal directions requiring them to move there. The data shows stark evidence of location preferences amongst boat owners. In 2025, 20 applicants seeking QEII Marina berths were offered St Sampson's berths instead. Eleven accepted whilst nine declined. By 2026, the situation had deteriorated markedly. In nine months to September, 43 applicants seeking QEII Marina berths were offered St Sampson's alternatives. Only seven accepted, while 36 declined—an 84% rejection rate. Data for 2022 to 2024 was recorded as "not available". [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/48/0b/480bfed6-f3f7-4a48-9efe-fae23adf5d03/content/images/2026/09/guernsey-record-3-.png)](https://record.thequarry.media/?ref=thequarry.media) A data gap emerged when the FOI request asked how accepting a St Sampson's berth affects an applicant's position on the QEII waiting list. Guernsey Ports' response was: "Data not held." The authority explained that applicants accepting a permanent berth are removed from the waiting list entirely, as they have been allocated permanent accommodation. They can then either re-join the waiting list at the bottom or join a separate transfer list. Waiting lists exist for all vessel length categories except 0m-6m. Official waiting list application forms contain a critical clause: "When a suitable berth/mooring becomes available the applicant next in line on the waiting list will be offered the use of the berth/mooring. However, should the applicant not wish to accept the berth/mooring at that time, they will be deemed to have refused acceptance and will forfeit their position on the waiting list." Applicants may request to move to the bottom of the waiting list in writing if not ready to accept a berth. However, the authority confirmed that the next person on the list is not automatically offered a vacant berth. Guernsey Ports stated: "Every berth is different, as is every boat, and even within a length category there may be differences in terms of vessel length, beam, draft, hull design, customer preferences etc. The berth and vessel must be compatible, and every effort is made to reach a consensus between Guernsey Ports and the applicant regarding suitability." This discretionary approach gives officials latitude in berth allocation beyond simple chronological waiting list order. The policy on declining berths in non-preferred locations contains important nuances. Applicants indicate preferred mooring areas on application forms, including QEII, Albert, St Sampson, Drying Areas and Other. If a suitable berth is offered in a non-preferred marina and rejected, the applicant would "not normally" move to the bottom of the waiting list. However, that person would "not ordinarily" be offered another mooring in that marina again. Guernsey Ports noted: "Whilst we are not prescriptive on how much of a preference an applicant can indicate, ultimately the more specific an applicant is, the harder it is to meet their needs." This creates a situation where declining a non-preferred location doesn't technically lose waiting list position but may limit future offers. A small transfer list containing fewer than 10 boats exists primarily for St Sampson's berth holders wanting to relocate to St Peter Port. Customers can join free of charge. When a suitable St Peter Port berth becomes available, it is first offered to the top 10 on the main waiting list. If none accept, the transfer list is consulted, with priority determined by date joined. The system appears to operate primarily one direction—from St Sampson's to St Peter Port. Section 13(1) directions are "only issued by the Harbour Master (or his Deputies) with respect to vessels occupying marina berths in situations where a person has refused to move a vessel to a place specified in what is effectively an administrative request, or when there is reasonable grounds to believe that might be the case." This explains the minimal use of formal enforcement powers, with officials preferring administrative requests. Guernsey Ports stated: "Whilst it is not always possible to accommodate locally registered vessels in a local marina on a temporary basis whilst the applicant is awaiting the allocation of a permanent mooring...when we are able to so, the applicant is usually appreciative of our efforts to accommodate them temporarily and is agreeable to moving the boat to alternative berths as requested by Marine Services Officers." For a vessel to receive a permanent mooring, it must be a "registered boat". The vessel must be owned by someone "ordinarily resident in the Islands of Guernsey, Herm or Jethou." People intending to move to Guernsey but not yet resident can join the waiting list and remain on it during relocation. However, at the point of offer or allocation, they must demonstrate they meet residency criteria. If they cannot, the mooring goes to the next suitable vessel on the list. Business owners are permitted provided they are based in Guernsey, Herm or Jethou. Guernsey Ports confirmed they "do not accept waiting list applications from relocation consultants etc." Companies, public bodies, agencies or other non-individual entities are not ordinarily permitted to apply for, hold or maintain waiting list positions on behalf of unidentified persons or vessels. A significant exception exists for locally registered marine traders, who can join waiting lists for "stock boats" subject to the same conditions as private individuals. Critically, when a stock boat is sold, the waiting list position associated with that boat can be transferred to the new owner, though this does not guarantee immediate mooring allocation. Guernsey Ports explained: "This system has been agreed to support the sale and purchase of vessels on-Island in the interests of supporting local marine traders." This policy allows waiting list positions to be transferred with vessel purchases from local traders, potentially creating a secondary market in waiting list priority. The FOI response revealed gaps in data recording. No data is available for 2022 to 2024 on QEII applicants offered St Sampson's berths, and no data is held on whether applicants who accepted St Sampson's berths retained their QEII waiting list priority. The FOI request sought copies of written policies, procedures, guidance, criteria or protocols. The response suggests much policy is either embedded in standard form terms and conditions, based on "established practice" rather than written policy, or exercised through official discretion rather than codified rules. No standalone policy documents were provided in the response, with officials instead describing practices and referring to ordinance provisions and form conditions. ## Q&A **Q: What happens if I accept a berth at St Sampson's whilst waiting for QEII Marina?** A: You are removed from the QEII waiting list entirely. You can then either re-join at the bottom of the list or join a separate transfer list, which has fewer than 10 boats and operates primarily for those wanting to move from St Sampson's to St Peter Port. **Q: Can I decline a berth without losing my waiting list position?** A: It depends on the circumstances. If you decline a berth in a non-preferred marina, you would "not normally" move to the bottom of the waiting list, but you would "not ordinarily" be offered another mooring in that marina again. However, if you decline a suitable berth in your preferred location, you forfeit your position on the waiting list entirely. **Q: Can I buy a boat and take over the seller's waiting list position?** A: Only if you buy from a locally registered marine trader who held the boat as stock. The waiting list position associated with that stock boat can be transferred to you, though this does not guarantee immediate mooring allocation. Private sales do not allow waiting list position transfers.