Five wrecks near Pulteney Weir will be removed due to hazards and pollution, as part of a river moorings project.
This removal is part of a moorings project that addresses mooring-related issues. The council contacted the boat owners, requesting they remove the boats, but this did not happen.
Removing sunken boats is complex, dangerous, and technical. It requires specialists and special equipment to ensure safe removal.
The council aims to recover £72,600 to cover the total removal costs, seeking this after the work is completed.
Cllr Tim Ball said the sunken boats hazard the waterway and risk the river’s ecology, emphasizing that boat owners are responsible for their boats.
The council tried working with owners to arrange removal themselves, but they must act as a last resort now. They will remove the boats for the owners, leading to clean water benefits.
Removing the boats makes the river safer and reduces artificial waste. Pulteney is a key flood defense, handling more water from October to March.
Winter is dangerous for mooring boats there, as confirmed by a RoSPA report. The council urges boat owners to moor safely using official mooring sites that are open, monitor moorings in winter often, ensure the boat is seaworthy, and obtain full boat insurance including salvage.