Back to AboutVENTNOR HAVEN
Ventnor Haven was constructed in 2003 as part of a long term strategy to promote Ventnor as a working seaside town. Funding from DEFRA, SEEDA and the Isle of Wight Council was granted on the condition that land adjacent to the Haven would be regenerated to provide complimentary marine based facilities and employment. One of the main criteria was to improve the efficiency of the local shellfish industry which previously operated from Ventnor Beach sometimes conflicting with other beach users.
Cheetah Marine has been contracted since 2003 to manage the Haven by the Isle of Wight Council. Commercial operations in the form of fishing, launch and sea trials of Cheetah Catamarans continue throughout the year. Private investment from Geoff Blake in 2007 funded a new Fish Pier where fish landed at the Haven by the growing fleet of Cheetah Catamarans is processed and sold either locally from the front of house wet fish shop or distributed to the many restaurants on the island or further afield to Brixham, London and the Continent.
In the summer months, the Haven becomes a hive of activity for small leisure crafts, charter fishing and Sea Safari’s as well as the stop off point for Yachts and RIBs venturing around the south side of the island.
With the opening of OceanBLUE Quay in 2009 housing Cheetah Catamaran boatbuilding and a new seafood restaurant in conjunction with Cheetah Marine’s Sea Safaris from the haven, it is fair to conclude that the project has complimented tourism and created marine related employment in a previously dilapidated area.
