Cost of operation to remove sunken boat from Weymouth Harbour not revealed
An abandoned fishing vessel that sunk in Weymouth Harbour has now been removed
Last updated 12th Nov 2021
An abandoned boat which sunk in Weymouth Harbour has now been removed.
A crane had to be brought in to lift the boat out of the water, which will now be destroyed.
The fishing vessel called FV Gitte has been in a commercial berth since March 2020.
Since that time Harbour Staff have been pumping the bilges on a weekly basis.
Dorset Council say despite extensive efforts, they've been unable to trace the owner.
A spokesperson said:
"Following a number of attempts to find a new owner, the decision was taken in January 2021 to plan for the removal and wrecking of the vessel due to the unknown condition of the hull.
"In March 2021 permanent automatic bilge pumps were installed and staff conducted daily visual checks on the vessel to ensure pumps were operational.
"The Harbour requested information from Surveyors, administrative agencies and boat builders as very little information was known about the vessel. Eventually the vessel was determined to be between 75 – 80t gross. The information was then sent to contractors to advise on their capacity to lift out and wreck the vessel.
"Despite efforts to keep the vessel afloat (bilge pumps) the vessel sank on Saturday 2 October"
Dorset Council say the cost of the operation which isn't being disclosed will now be subject to an insurance claim.