Chatham Maritime Marina is investing £500,000 in a state-of-the-art expansion plan which will include 54 new berths.

The new development, due to open in April, will also see a new pontoon in the marina, next to notable vessels at The Historic Dockyard.

Michael Glanville, group head of operations at MDL Marinas, said the site has plenty of appeal.

"The marina is at the heart of a multi-million-pound leisure and retail development, so it made sense for us to invest in these additional berths and the pontoon to accommodate the extra interest coming into the area.

"We look forward to showing perspective berth holders around the site.

“The marina makes the perfect base for long distance cruises over to the continent with France, Belgium and The Netherlands all within easy reach.

"Closer to home, the surrounding area is delightful, with the Medway Estuary offering excellent cruising, secluded anchorages and perfect, lazy lunch stops.”

"Boat owners spend more money than the average tourist" - maritime expert Wilf Lower

River champion and maritime expert Wilf Lower said the development was good news.

He said: “I’m all in favour of development because it brings a lot of money in – boat owners spend more money than the average tourist.

“Chatham Maritime is well placed because it can take yachts.”

Significantly, he said, most boats with masts are unable to pass Rochester bridge, which means Chatham Maritime is well placed to cash in on foreign tourists, who normally arrive in sailing boats and typically spend more money than UK boat owners.

Developers hope boat owners will be drawn by factors such as the nearby shopping complex, restaurants, the Historic Dockyard – described as the finest example of a dockyard of the age of sail anywhere in the world – and the River Medway itself.

The river is navigable for 13 miles from its mouth at Sheerness to Rochester, while boats drawing no more than two metres can travel further up, past Allington Lock and into the Kent countryside.

Chatham Maritime Marina also has a boatyard for owners wanting to carry out maintenance.

There is storage ashore for more than 100 boats along with a 16.5 ton crane, a hydraulic boat mover, yacht cradles, a purpose-built lifting dock, and a dedicated DIY area.

For details, visit www.chathammaritimemarina.co.uk