Plans to recycle more abandoned boats

A pilot project successfully stripped an abandoned boat at Dartmouth

More abandoned boats are being targeted for recycling after a successful pilot project in south Devon, the local authority has said.

Boats are regularly reported as abandoned, sunk or stranded within the Dart, Salcombe-Kingsbridge and Yealm estuaries, said South Hams District Council.

"This is having an environmental and financial impact on the marine community," it said.

After stripping a boat which had been abandoned on the Dart in March, the council said it was exploring "future opportunities to address the issue on a larger scale".

'Great deal learned'

The council worked with Creekside Boatyard in Dartmouth and industry partners on the pilot project to dismantle a sailing boat and look at ways to recycle or reuse as many component parts as possible.

The successful disassembly, reuse and recycling of the fibreglass boat "proved to be time efficient, and a great deal was learned during the process", the council said in a report.

Component parts ranged from stainless steel rigging and bronze winches to the boat’s engine and electronics.

'Financial impact'

Councillor John McKay, the council's executive member for climate change and biodiversity, said it wanted to work more closely with "industry partners, harbour authorities, marinas and boat builders".

He said: "They are the ones who feel more closely the financial and environmental impact of end-of-life boats sitting in their waters and getting in the way of their day-to-day work."

Anyone who spots an abandoned boat can report it on the Royal Yachting Association's Green Blue website.