Wrecked boats could be removed in Cornwall as risk grows
Vessel abandonment has increasingly become an issue in ports, harbours and marinas across the Duchy
A number of wrecked boats could be dismantled and removed from rivers, foreshores and waterways in Cornwall.
Vessel abandonment has increasingly become an issue in ports, harbours and marinas across the Duchy. On occasion, fishing vessels and commercial vessels are also abandoned.
A meeting of Cornwall Harbours Board will hear this week that any of these vessels can obstruct navigational channels or moorings for other port users or present a pollution and/or environmental risk.
The board is likely agree on Thursday that its maritime team appoints a licensed contractor to dismantle, remove and dispose of all vessels identified as unserviceable.
The cost to remove and dispose of the unserviceable boats and wrecks is likely to cost approximately £165,000.
A report to the board says: “The removal of all vessels detailed in this report will require the use of the Cornwall Harbours General Reserve, or harbour specific reserve, if all are to be removed in the next financial year to meet the balance of disposal costs.”