Crowdfunder being launched to create 'community boat' on Kingsbridge and Salcombe Estuary
The Dolphin Project aims to help more people get out on the water
Last updated 16th Sep 2024
A crowdfunder is being launched this month to help create a new electric-powered 'community boat' so more people can experience the Kingsbridge and Salcombe Estuary.
Gary Jolliffe, who already runs community group Til The Coast Is Clear which collects rubbish in the water, wants to transform a run-down 1960s boat - once owned by his family - into something that everyone can use by next Summer.
Up to twelve passengers a time will be able to use the vessel, which will be made accessible, with up to six hours running time on a single charge - offering potentially two or three trips a day in the Summer season.
Gary believes at the moment there's very opportunities for those without lots of money to get out on the local water, adding: "Despite there being lots of boats on the estuary they are all privately owned generally speaking.
"There's quite limited opportunities for people to get out there and experience the area from the water and it's spectacular out there.
"There's so much wildlife, it's a really beautiful place. We're going to have some underwater camera equipment so we can film the reef that's out on our estuary, which very few people know about.
Greatest Hits Radio reported on plans for The Dolphin Project in 2022 (see below)
"There's incredible stuff to see down there with the right lighting rigs and we'll have a screen on board so you can see that in real time and we'll hope to be able to beam it live to universities and schools as well."
The project has thanked a number of sponsors including the Devon Environment Foundation and Rockfish. There's more about the Dolphin project here, with the crowdfunder due to be launched on September 20.