Isle of Wight marine fuel supply fears before Cowes Week
Cowes from above (Image: IWCP)
An Isle of Wight boatyard has raised urgent concerns over ongoing marine fuel supply failures, warning the issue could disrupt businesses and visiting vessels ahead of Cowes Week.
Lallows Boatyard says it has experienced repeated shortfalls and missed deliveries from its supplier, leaving it unable to meet demand during one of the busiest periods of the sailing season.
In a statement, the company said it recently ran out of petrol and had to wait several days for a delivery, which fell significantly short of what had been ordered.
"When it did arrive, only 2,500 litres were delivered against an order of 8,000 litres," a spokesperson said.
"That supply lasted less than 24 hours during the British Classic Yacht Regatta."
Cowes from above (Image: IWCP)
The business added it has since been told no further delivery will be made until Tuesday, July 28.
Lallows said it places a standing weekly order for fuel, increasing volumes in anticipation of major events, and confirmed its account with supplier Certas Energy is fully up to date.
See the full Certas Energy statement below
"We are increasingly having to apologise to customers because we simply do not have the fuel that we ordered," the spokesperson added.
"Some customers have questioned whether we are ordering enough fuel or even paying our bills.
"We want to make it absolutely clear that neither is the case."
The company said it had been assured following nationwide fuel issues last year that a dedicated tanker and driver would be allocated to the Island, but claims the situation has since worsened.
Ahead of Cowes Week, Lallows said it provided advance notice of increased demand and has requested three deliveries during the event.
Cowes from above (Image: IWCP)
The spokesperson said: "Cowes Week is one of the busiest periods of the year for marine fuel.
"Our concern is not only for our regular customers but also for the many visiting sailors who rely on us."
Lallows claims it has repeatedly sought explanations from Certas Energy without satisfactory response, and has also raised the issue with MP Richard Quigley.
The company added that after it previously submitted a formal complaint, its account was frozen and fuel supplies were suspended until the matter was resolved.
Since the closure of the East Cowes fuel storage depot, Certas Energy is understood to be the sole importer of fuel to the Island, leaving businesses with no alternative supplier.
Lallows warned the ongoing situation represents a "critical infrastructure failure" and risks undermining confidence in Cowes as a destination at the height of the season.
In response, Certas Energy told the County Press:
“We want to reassure customers that there is currently no impact to fuel supplies to the Isle of Wight.
"Operational issues around vehicle capacity meant that on this occasion we were unable to deliver fuel requested by an individual customer.
"We successfully supplied a high volume of fuel to the Isle of Wight Festival recently, and look forward to contributing to another excellent Cowes Week.”
