Vessels at the festival included the Harbour Conservancy's fleet with the high speed patrol RIBs and the heavy duty mooring barge. The local RNLI lifeboat and coastguard crews were on hand to show visitors their boats and the range of equipment they carry. These were moored alongside 'Classmate' a sleek sailing yacht, which in turn was dwarfed by the impressive Sussex Sea Fisheries patrol boat next to local fishing charter boat 'Silver Fox'.

Two recently restored classic boats were also on show. 'Terror', which worked with the Victorian oyster fleet from Emsworth and 'Ocean Pearl', a beautiful fishing boat from Scotland from the 1930s, which was proudly displayed by owner Nick Gates who enthusiastically told the story of its restoration.

Hot drinks and refreshments were available on the much more modern 'Solar Heritage', a solar powered passenger boat which also went out on a public trip the day after the festival.

There was a range of displays in the Conservancy workshop including an art exhibition and refreshments. John Davis, the Harbour Master said, 'This is the biggest event that the Conservancy organises. It is a celebration of all the boats and their crews that still use the harbour to make a living. This year we have a combination of very modern boats along with some beautifully restored traditional working boats.'

Ali Beckett, publicity and information officer for Chichester Harbour Conservancy said, 'The Festival was a great success, as younger visitors filled in their quiz sheets and older visitors chatted with the crews.' The next Working Boats Festival will be held in 2010. For more information on Chichester Harbour Conservancy and Chichester Harbour visit http://www.conservancy.co.uk

By Anne-Marie Causer