15th July 2019
The country’s last surviving distant water sidewinder fishing trawler is to move from its current location for the first time in over 20 years.
With generous support from Siemens Gamese and Associated British Ports (ABP), the Arctic Corsair will move to a temporary berth at Alexandra Dock on Sunday 4 August 2019.
The Arctic Corsair’s move, funded jointly between the Environment Agency and the European Regional Development Fund, is required as part of the Environment Agency’s £60m River Hull flood defence scheme, it also links with and supports the council’s major maritime project – Hull: Yorkshire’s Maritime City.
The Environment Agency has also helped facilitate the removal of the Arctic Corsair and will dredge away the silt that has gathered around it over the years.
Currently berthed on the River Hull between Drypool and Myton Bridge, the vessel has operated as a visitor attraction since 1999. A dedicated team of volunteers and curators, with the support of STAND, have worked on the Arctic Corsair for several months ensuring the ships collection of artefacts has been protected and catalogued in time for the move. The ship will be will be placed in temporary storage at Associated British Ports, while the flood protection works are completed until 2020. She will then receive a major programme of restoration works to secure its long-term future. Once complete, she will then move to a permanent home in a dry-dock at North End Shipyard, off Dock Office Row taking centre stage in a brand new maritime visitor attraction.
From 7am and during high tide, on Sunday 4 August local maritime specialists, LGSA Marine and Dean’s Tugs, will undertake the complex move on behalf of Hull City Council. Consisting of two tugs towing the 58 metre trawler down the River Hull, it will pass under three bridges, then into the River Humber and down to its temporary location at Siemens Gamesa.
Councillor Daren Hale, Portfolio Holder for Economic Investment, Regeneration, Planning, Land and Property, said: “This is a key milestone and a huge undertaking as the trawler hasn’t moved since 1998. Working with a specialist towing company, the trawler will be moved to temporary storage. The vessel will then be preserved inside and out, without losing its charm and securing her long-term future at its new, dry berth at the North End Shipyard.
“This is part of the wider transformational plans to strengthen our maritime story and reconnect the heart of Hull to its historic waterfront, the place where the city’s history began.”
Anna Murphy, of the Environment Agency, said: “We’re very pleased to be working in partnership with Hull City Council on this project. This section of our work will help regenerate this historic area of the Hull and the Arctic Corsair will continue to be an important focal point, linking in with the city’s rich maritime heritage.”
Dafydd Williams, Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs for ABP Humber, said: “We are delighted to support this exciting project which not only helps to preserve and celebrate Hull's maritime history but can also be a catalyst for wider regeneration to grow the city's economy.”
The full restoration of the Arctic Corsair is being funded by Hull City Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). It is part of the £27.4m plans for the Hull: Yorkshire’s Maritime City programme to make Hull a world-class visitor destination. The plans will develop three important sites: Hull Maritime Museum; Dock Office Chambers and the North End Shipyard; and the long-term preservation of two historic vessels, the Arctic Corsair and Spurn Lightship, securing their future for generations to come.
The future of the Arctic Corsair includes:
- creating a new attraction for the north of England at its new home at the North End Shipyard
- increased access
- new and improved interpretation facilitating increased visitor and educational visits
- a permanent dry-berth to ensure her long-term preservation
- an enhanced volunteering programme
- the ongoing promotion to raise awareness of her national significance
- developing a range of skills and training opportunities
ACCESS
Due to the significant move there will be a number of bridge closures and therefore, may cause some disruption.
Due to the Arctic Corsair’s current location there are numerous locations to see her move to its temporary location.
An exclusion zone will also be in place for safety.
