8th June 2023
Artist impressions have revealed the latest plans for Hull’s last remaining trawler, the Arctic Corsair.
The arrangements to berth the Arctic Corsair, at her new home have been modified following extensive consultation and was approved at Hull City Council’s Planning Committee on Wednesday 7 June.
The decision to berth the Arctic Corsair ‘bow in’ - the front part of the ship, at a dry dock at the former North End Shipyard comes after detailed consultation with naval experts including Dunston Ship Repairs, historic ships advisor, marine architects – Beckett Rankine, architects and volunteers including former trawlerman who worked on the historic trawler.
The change in berthing arrangements have also been made after detailed technical drawings revealed the advantages of berthing her bow first with less tolerances on the dock blocks.
Visitors will now see the bow on the approach to North End Shipyard and the port side creating a more dramatic view and will be in line with the new energy efficient visitor centre.
Historically vessels would have been berthed in the dry dock 'bow in' when undergoing repair, therefore positioning the vessel permanently in this way will allow visitors to more authentically appreciate how the dock functioned in its working life.
Councillor Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council, said: “As restoration work of the Arctic Corsair is well underway by local ship repair company, Dunston’s, this was the ideal opportunity to review the most up-to-date technical plans with the specialists in the field.
“The original plan was to berth her stern first. We have listened to the experts and the plans have been adjusted. Berthing the trawler for one final time and at the dry dock is logistically complex and we need to get this right for the city and those who cherish this much-loved trawler.”
The Arctic Corsair and new visitor centre at the North End Shipyard will become a new attraction for the city and is expected to open in 2024. It is part of the Hull Maritime project, funded by Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Other elements of the project include the transformation of the Hull Maritime Museum, a new bespoke storage centre for the museum’s reserve collection and the restoration of the Spurn Lightship.
