30th July 2019
Hull’s Arctic Corsair and the country’s last distant water side-winder trawler is set to move from its current berth for the first time in 20 years on Sunday 4 August.
From 7am, LGSA Marine and Dean’s Tugs will undertake the complex operation to move the 693 tonne trawler down the River Hull during high tide and then making her way to a temporary berth provided by Siemens Gamesa with the support of Associated British Ports. As this is a complex move and reliant on water levels and weather conditions timings could vary significantly.
As this is a complex move and reliant on water levels and weather conditions timings could vary significantly.
The important move is required as part of the Environment Agency’s £60m River Hull flood defence scheme. As part of the ambitious Hull: Yorkshire’s Maritime City project she will then will be preserved and will then set sail into her final berth at a refurbished dry-dock at the North End Shipyard, off Dock Office Row. A final funding bid for £13.6m was submitted to the National Lottery Heritage Fund on Friday 24 May, a decision is expected to be made in the autumn.
Councillor Daren Hale, Portfolio Holder for Economic Investment, Regeneration, Planning, Land and Property, said: “Preparations for this significant and emotional move are well underway. This is the first step in an exciting journey for the Arctic Corsair as we continue to develop plans for the ambitious maritime project.
“She is a genuinely a unique survivor, veteran of the cod wars and representative of the fishing industry she worked in 60 years ago and it is only right we protect and promote her significance for the city, its people and the nation.”
Chris MacKinnon, Marine Logistics Manager at Siemens Gamesa, said: “We are delighted that our river berths are being used to preserve a significant piece of Hull’s history. We would love to see the port usage optimised and have fantastic facilities to support projects such as this.”
The move will offer some special views as the trawler will pass under three bridges and then will towards The Deep to then reach the River Humber. She will then turn left to make her way to her temporary home to Siemens Gamesa, thanks to generous support from Siemens Gamesa and Associated British Ports.
Viewing areas
The walkway to the west of the River Hull will be closed to the public and media for safety. However, the marina and the east side of the riverbank near Tower Street car park, The Deep, Sammy’s Point and along Victoria Dock will offer some spectacular views.
Car park closure: Tower Street car park will close to the public from 5am on Sunday 4 August.
Bridge closures: Scale Lane Bridge, Myton Bridge and Millennium Bridge will close for a short period between 8.30 - 10am and will re-open to traffic once the trawler has safely passed through. This may mean the bridges are closed for longer than normal and efforts will be made to minimise disruption.
FAQs
Q) Where is the trawler going? The Arctic Corsair will be placed at a temporary berth at Siemens Gamesa’s site before moving to a shipyard for work to be undertaken.
Q) Why is the trawler going into temporary storage? The Arctic Corsair needs to move to enable the Environment Agency continue the £60m flood defence works.
Q) How long will the move take? We expect the move to take approximately two to three hours.
Q) Can the public watch the move? Yes, there are various suitable viewing points for the public and the media to view the move along the River Hull and Humber. However, there will be no access to the west boardwalk so recommend viewing from the east side or on the marina, near the C4DI building and the pier.
Q) Will it be looked after in storage? The Hull Culture and Leisure curatorial team with the support of volunteers will monitor the Arctic Corsair while it is at the temporary berth at Siemens Gamesa’s site.
Q) How long will it be in storage? The current plan is that the Arctic Corsair will go off to a shipyard in spring 2020. After the new visitor building is complete the Arctic Corsair will return to North End Shipyard for the completion of the conservation process.
Q) Can the public visit it in storage? As the Siemens Gamesa dock complex is a secure area we are unable to allow access at the temporary berth.
Q) What work is involved to preserve the trawler? The plan for the Arctic Corsair have been developed to preserve the ship for future generations, this will involve works of the hull and superstructure in a shipyard. Work on the interior will protect and preserve the ship so that visitors can see it as it was when it was working the distant waters of the Atlantic. Some of this work will be undertaken by specialist contractors at a shipyard, with other elements being completed by volunteers and specialists once the Arctic Corsair has returned to North End Shipyard.
Q) When will it move to North End Shipyard? The move is expected to be in 2021.
