27th November 2017

By Anne North

Cornwall councillors are being urged to demolish a number of boats which appear to have been abandoned by their owners.

Cornwall Council’s Harbours Board will this week have to decide if five vessels which have fallen into a poor state should now be removed.  If possible, the council might try to sell the boats but often they are beyond repair.

The vessels are:

‘Rosie’ a 21ft chine GRP blue sailing yacht hull lying on foreshore adjacent to Malpas Road, Truro

‘Kit Kat’ a 20ft white bilge keel sailing yacht lying on foreshore at Newham, Truro formally from a Malpas mooring.

‘Storming Norman’ a 12ft white and orange speedboat hull lying on foreshore at Newham, Truro came from Mylor Creek.

17ft white/blue GRP cabin boat lying on Foreshore adjacent to Newham Road from Foreshore adjacent to Malpas road

15ft white/red GRP cabin boat lying on Foreshore adjacent to Newham Road

A report to be considered on Wednesday says: “Often boats deteriorate and contact with the owners or executors becomes very difficult and eventually the harbour office loses any point of contact. Once the office loses communication with an owner or title holder a procedure is followed over many months to establish contact with any party having an ownership interest in the boat.

“This process includes posting notices on the boat and finally advertisements in the press. The conclusion of the abandonment process is to request permission from the harbours board to sanction the disposal by sale or demolition of the vessels depending on the value and condition of the vessel.

This YouTube video, by Cornwall Kid, illustrates the problem of vessels apparently abandoned by their owners

“Any proceeds of the sale will be recorded and should an owner come to light with bona fide title then the owner may receive all or part of the proceeds of the sale subject to outstanding debts or costs.

“The main issue surrounding abandoned boats is maintaining safety of navigation within the port. Abandoned vessels are not maintained or checked and may become an obstruction or hazard to navigation if they are not managed appropriately.

“Whilst moorings and beach berths are occupied by abandoned vessels revenue is lost until the facility is cleared and re-let.  The ports have environmental responsibilities and waste management plans. Failure to deal with abandoned vessels may be deemed a failure in waste management policy. This failure may result in proceedings against the port by the Environment Agency.”