After years of waiting, the current operators at Cabopino marina have been given an eight-year permit to dredge the entrance channel to allow bigger yachts and leisure craft to enter.

The gradual silting up had reduced underwater clearance to as low as 50cm in some places.

The aim is to reach a depth of 2-2.5 metres with the current work.

The long term licence to run the marina has still not been put out to tender by the Junta and the present arrangement is temporary.