Hazardous wrecks cleared from Exe Estuary

Published: 19 November 2020

Work continues to clear the Exe Estuary of dangerous and potentially environmentally-damaging boat wrecks.

Our harbour patrollers have been addressing the issue this week and on Tuesday cleared three crumbling wrecks from the water.

Harbourmaster Grahame Forshaw said: “As with other harbours across the country we have an issue with abandoned boats. Unfortunately people strip the boats of all identification and leave them either on other people’s moorings or on the foreshore.”

The Council is calling on people to dispose of their vessels responsibly. Abandoned boats can be a hazard to navigation, often sinking below the water level.

“Left to deteriorate, they break up and pollute the surrounding area for years to come, damaging wildlife and presenting a danger to shipping,” said Grahame. “Disposing of them is time consuming and expensive for the Council.”