Last updated 09:58, Thursday, 08 May 2008

THE latest addition to the harbourside at Whitehaven is the new £1.4million boat-building and maintenance facility at North Shore, to be officially opened on June 5 by Capt Jeff Miller, the US Naval Attaché to the UK.

The facility comprises two large bays that can accommodate the 45-ton boat lift. The huge building can take boats of up to 21.5m – and even a tall ship if need be.

Funding cAme from West Cumbria Development Fund, European Rural Development Fund, West Lakes Renaissance and Copeland Borough Council.

The Harbour Commissioners of today are: Gordon Thomson (chairman), Terry Ponting (vice chairman), Celia MacKenzie (chief executive), Barry Snelson, Peter Lutwidge, Jenny Benson, Mike Clayton and John Taylor. Harbour Master is Neil Foskett.