The UK is set to significantly broaden its ship recycling program following a successful pilot project in South Hams. The pilot project took place at Dartmouth's Creekside Boatyard, in collaboration with industry partners, and gained support from the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and its environmental initiative, "The Green Blue."

A Cleaner Marine Environment: A Crucial Agenda

In South Hams, a clean marine environment is still a crucial agenda of the council as they are now eager to expand work on recycling abandoned ships. The council's significant step towards combating climate change includes addressing marine activities in the entire region, seeking ways to reduce carbon emissions and water pollution.

Abandoned, sunk, or stranded vessels are frequently reported on the Dart Estuary, Salcombe-Kingsbridge Estuary, and Yealm Estuary, causing environmental and economic impacts on marine communities. As a result, these discarded vessels have become an area of particular concern for the council.

Reusing as Many Parts as Possible

In the spring of 2024, the council worked with Creekside Boatyard and industry partners to dismantle a sailboat that had reached the end of its service life. They then researched methods for recycling or reusing as many parts as possible.

The council has now publicly revealed the results of this novel recycling project's investigation, a first-of-its-kind initiative. The pilot project proved that it is both feasible and time-saving to address scrapped vessels by methodically dismantling, recycling, and reusing their parts.

A Stepping Stone to a Sustainable Future

The council will continue to explore future opportunities alongside its partners and local waste management experts. As articulated by Cllr John McKay of the South Hams District Council, "This research is only the first step in addressing the issue of abandoned vessels in the South Hams area. We hope to work more closely with industry partners, harbor authorities, docks, and shipbuilders. Such projects are vitally important in supporting our ambition to mitigate climate change."

Similarly, James Scott Anderson of Blue Parameters stated that the project has effectively proven a method of handling scrapped vessels and that it was the combination of expertise, resources, and companies from different sectors that made this project attainable.