Guernsey looks at ways it could recycle old boats

The assistant harbour master said dealing with worn out and abandoned boats was a problem

A trial recycling scheme is being investigated as a possible solution to Guernsey's issue with abandoned boats.

In the last three years Guernsey Ports has removed 45-50 vessels from either a marina birth or mooring in St Peter Port Harbour as part of an initiative to maximise space for local boat owners.

Currently, there is no means to get rid of your boat in Guernsey unless you can break it up yourself and recycle and dispose of the component parts.

Assistant harbour master Kieran Higgs said: "Abandoned and end-of-life boat disposal is a problem."

He said: "We have worked really hard in the last few years to try and address the issue of abandoned boats. Both environmentally and commercially."

There have been some concerns boats could be scuttled if islanders were struggling to dispose of their vessels.

Achievable and time efficient

The pilot scheme was held in the spring and saw a boat being disassembled, with as many of the parts as possible reused or recycled.

Guernsey-based marine environmental specialist Blue Parameters worked with Creekside Boatyard, in Dartmouth, on the South Hams District Council scheme.

According to the council, this piece-by-piece disassembly, recovery, and recycling approach is both achievable and time efficient.

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

Simon De La Rue, director of Blue Parameters, said: "Ultimately what we are looking at doing is quantifying how much useful materials there are in a boat when it reaches the end of its life.

"How much can be put back into the supply chain and what waste is left at the end of that."

Assistant harbour master Kieran Higgs said: "I think it's a cracking idea and we know that recycling boats is an industry-wide problem.

"Being on a small island adds complexity and probably cost but we would be supportive of this type of scheme."