Chatham Maritime Marina, on the River Medway in Kent, is part of the MDL group. It offers first-class berthing and marina services and is a short walk from the Historic Dockyard Chatham, a major visitor attraction. The marina  has more than 400 berths – any empty or temporarily vacated are used for visitors – plus an events berth for rallies, and is close to a factory outlet shopping complex, multiscreen cinema, and numerous restaurants and bars. There's also a local convenience store stocking essential items, with other facilities planned.

Lock-keeper John Kempton has been at Chatham Maritime Marina for 19 years. The location is a perfect fit for his off-duty passion, as he explains: “I don’t own a boat myself, but am into historic vessels, working on the Paddle Steamer Medway Queen and also the Light Ship 21.”

The view from John's office overlooks the river. “Across from us is Upnor Castle, open to visitors and famous as part of the Dutch raid on the Medway in 1667 – although it failed to prevent the raid,” he says. “We are next door to the Historic Dockyard Chatham, a taxi ride to Rochester, and we have a small supermarket within walking distance, cinema and other shopping outlets in the Dockside outlet centre, a distillery opposite the marina (The Copper Rivet), and an excellent delicatessen.

The lock at the entrance to the marina operates 24 hours a day, with a minimum depth on the outer sill of 1.3m at LAT plus low water prediction. “The main thing is if possible to call or email ahead to check availability and so we can book vessels in,” John says. “We always try to accommodate visitors, but cannot guarantee berthing with no notice. Call at red buoy number 32 inbound from the sea, or the Historic dockyard ship sheds upriver, on Ch80, call sign Chatham Marina, and the lock-keeper will advise order of entry. We try to get visitors to come starboard side-to into the lock, as the lock office is that side. The lock-keeper will come down to your vessel and hand over a marina map with your allocated berth and entry codes. Once in, you can pay on your day of departure – a locked marina means there is no need to ‘rush’ to the office.”
Take care in a strong tide and, if you have a deep-drafted vessel, avoid low water. “The lock-keeper can advise the depth on the outer sill if in any doub,t and we have a waiting pontoon outside the lock if needed – though this is also set at 1.3m at LAT,” John adds.
www.mdlmarinas.co.uk