Sovereign Harbour is a development of beach land in the seaside resort of Eastbourne, England to the east of the town centre. Opened in 1993 and formerly known as The Crumbles, the marina consists of five separate harbours, (North Harbour, South Harbour, West Harbour, Outer Harbour and Inner Harbour), a retail park and several housing projects with both permanent and holiday properties. Sovereign Harbour is Northern Europe’s largest composite marina complex.
The Harbours:
The tidal Outer Harbour is only used for entrance to the marina through twin sea locks, which are operated 24 hours a day. It needs frequent dredging to keep the access channel from the sea to the locks open and deep enough for vessels.
All the harbours (Inner, South, West and North) are artificial and were dredged one after the other, after 1991. Behind the locks is the main marina called Inner Harbour. This is the central body of water and was the first harbour in use. It contains berths for both visiting and resident berth holders, as well as provides access to the other three harbours via lifting bridges. The other three are used mostly by resident berth holders as well as the local fishing vessels.
The North Harbour is the latest development, and this body of water is larger than the initial Inner Harbour. The two remaining harbours West and South are much smaller and in use by local residents owning a house/apartment around these waters.
A large boat lift now uses a corner in the North Harbour, near the local chandlery and winter storage for yachts. The locks - for access to and from the sea - and all lifting bridges are operated from the Harbour office building located next to the locks. The office is staffed around the clock - all days of the year.
Links:
www.premiermarinas.com/marinas/sovereign-harbour