A MAN who was told his houseboat had to leave Brighton Marina has managed to find a new place to berth the vessel.

Ian Simpson bought his boat, Eclipse, in December 2020 for £130,000 and had a month-to-month contract at the marina.

The 55-year-old was in a race against time after being told last August he was “expected to leave” when his 21 metre boat was back in the water.

Mr Simpson felt there had been a “miscommunication” with Premier Marinas, which runs the marine operations side of Brighton Marina.

The Argus: Mr Simpson said the boat had been in Brighton Marina for 20 yearsMr Simpson said the boat had been in Brighton Marina for 20 years

He was served with a trespass notice from Premier Marinas’ lawyers, Shoosmiths, which confirmed he would have to leave after his month-to-month contract expired on July 31.

He said: “I don’t want people knowing where I have gone, I don’t want my life to be difficult where I am now.

“We got everything working on the boat, we fixed a small leak it had. It went well in the sea trials. It has come from an old wreck, but I’m quite pleased with everything.

“I moved out about 4.30am on Saturday. Where I am now is less than a third of what I last paid.

The Argus: He had to leave by the end of JulyHe had to leave by the end of July

“I’m still deeply unhappy but I have had a sigh of relief since arriving. Sunday was just getting over the shock of moving.”

Premier Marinas allowed the boat to stay until the end of January this year, then the end of May, before serving the tresspass notice for the berthing in West Jetty on July 1.

Mr Simpson said he found a new marina willing to take his boat at the beginning of July.

But he doubts he will be able to run his wine touring boat business.

Mr Simpson added: “I don’t think the wine business would work where I am. It’s a much smaller place, it’s not Brighton basically. I think that is out of the window.

The Argus: The vessel was in a race against time to be made seaworthyThe vessel was in a race against time to be made seaworthy

“I will probably have to get a regular job and try to get my online business going again.

“The new place is very different. It seems nicer but it’s also a lot quieter.”

Premier Marinas said it would “not be making any public comment relating to what remains a private matter between ourselves and Mr Simpson”.