Troubled waters: Arctic Corsair move delayed by issues over dredging licence

DELAYS: Arctic Corsair on her way to Dunston’s shipyard for restoration in October 2021. Picture by Neil Holmes

EXCLUSIVE

By Angus Young

A key part of the multi-million pound Hull Maritime project is facing a major delay, The Hull Story can exclusively reveal today.

The proposed relocation of the Arctic Corsair to a new dry dock visitor attraction next to the River Hull was meant to be completed in time for an autumn opening last year.

However, licensing approval to dredge the river to clear an access route for the converted trawler and install a new dock gate has yet to be granted.

Hull City Council submitted the licensing application last April.

A final decision rests with the Marine Maritime Organisation (MMO), the licensing authority for all dredging activity in UK waters.

Without any dredging, moving the 693-tonne vessel to its new berth at the former North End Shipyard would not be possible because of the amount of silt in the river.

Unlike the Humber, regular dredging in the River Hull has not been carried out for decades partly because of the steep decline in vessels using it.

It’s believed the decision-making process has been paused because of concerns over the safe disposal of potentially contaminated silt.

Even if permission is eventually granted, a new council report says the necessary work could cost an extra £2.5m.

Gillian Osgerby, the council’s interim assistant director of major projects and infrastructure, said: “Hull City Council has applied to the Maritime Management Organisation, who are sponsored by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for a licence to remove 3,500 cubic metres of silt from the River Hull.

“This is to enable the installation of a new dock gate at the North End Shipyard and increase the navigable area of the channel to assist in the dry-docking process.

“However, the MMO has paused the application whilst it assesses the composition of dredged material and the necessary disposal arrangements.

“In response, the council – working alongside naval architects – is responding to the MMO’s enquiries and request for additional technical information which will be submitted to the MMO for consideration.

“These ongoing discussions have led to an unforeseen delay in the programme which is not of the council’s making and will impact the delivery time of the project and add to the cost.

‘UNFORESEEN DELAY’: Gillian Osgerby, centre, Hull City Council’s interim assistant director of major projects and infrastructure. Picture credit: Hull Maritime

“We remain committed to resolving this as quickly as possible and will proceed once an approval solution is found.”

The latest Environment Agency ecological rating for the Lower River Hull classifies it as “failing” on detected levels of hazardous chemicals in the water, including mercury and PBDEs, a toxic cluster of compounds used in a range of products.

The Corsair is intended to be the focal point of a new attraction highlighting Hull’s fishing heritage as well as telling the story of shipbuilding on the river.

After being converted into a floating museum three decades ago, it has no engine power and can only move under tow.

Outlining the council’s budget proposals for the coming year, the report says: “The issue is subject of ongoing discussions and negotiations with the Marine Maritime Organisation.”

As yet, there is no agreed council budget allocation for any extra dredging costs related to moving the Arctic Corsair, which is currently berthed in William Wright Dock after an extensive restoration.

The dry dock plans have already significantly changed since first being unveiled nearly eight years ago.

NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT: Arctic Corsair in dry dock undergoing restoration. Picture by Neil Holmes

Initial proposals envisaged the trawler being positioned stern-first in the dry dock to allow its fishing gear to be fully displayed. However, the idea was later ditched in favour of a bow-first entry. At the time, the switch was said to be necessary to make it easier to manoeuvre the vessel into the dock.

The dredging issue is not the only headache facing politicians and council officials.

The same budget report features a breakdown of the authority’s capital programme which includes the Hull Maritime project.

Having started with a £30m budget jointly funded by the council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the report says “revised scheme costings” have pushed the estimated final bill to at least  £40.5m.

The funding gap is likely to be closed by external grants, money being taken from a contingency reserve and a further £1.5m allocation by the council.

The soaring costs reflect a series of problems with different elements of the project.

As well as delays over the Arctic Corsair, the Maritime Museum’s opening date has been pushed back to 2026, while the restored Spurn Lightship was meant to open to the public last spring but is now scheduled to open later this spring.

Arctic Corsair is the sole survivor of Hull's former distant-water, sidewinder fishing fleet.