St Catherine’s Harbour project

The breakwater arm at St Catherine's bay stretches out to sea for just over 640 metres. Originally designed to be almost twice this length, sweep around the bay to join up with a second proposed breakwater arm, projecting from Archirondel (Shown in the forefront of the above image - the remains of this pier are still present today) and create what would have been the largest deep water anchorage and harbour, less than 15 miles from the French coast, after the French naval port of La Havre.

The plan was one devised by the English government, in conjunction with the British Admiralty in the mid 18th century to build a naval refuge and supply harbour for the British fleet. The location was considered to be of prime strategic importance due to it's proximity to the French coast.

Stone for the breakwaters were quarried on site, with the areas of cliff face originally removed now serving as boat storage areas and a roadways. Continued bad weather, lack of finance and the cessation of hostilities between France and England all added to the project never being completed.

The breakwater now serves as a sheltering arm for the numerous vessels moored in the bay and provides a sheltered deep water anchorage from winds from the S.W. to the North. It is full of local moorings so choose an anchoring spot carefully. The bottom is muddy/sand. There is a landing slip at the base of the breakwater. The RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Station is sited next to the white Jersey “Conway” Round Tower 0.5M, S.W. of the breakwater