Cornwall Council Removes Damaged Vessel from Newquay Harbour After Legal Notice

A boat that sank in Newquay Harbour is now being dismantled after its owners failed to comply with a formal request to move it.

Concerns grow after vessel left at South Quay

The former motor fishing vessel Ros Min arrived at South Quay in mid November. Its owners told the harbour office they planned to depart on the next favourable spring tide, but the move did not take place. The Harbour Master then issued a legal notice instructing the owners to remove the vessel.

With no action taken and poor weather approaching, the harbour team and local contractors removed oil and diesel from the boat as a precaution.

Storm damage leads to emergency action

The vessel became damaged during stormy weather on Friday 5th December. Harbour staff spent the weekend collecting debris from the wreck.

Christopher Jones, Cornwall Council’s maritime manager, said:
“We now consider this boat to be a wreck and have exercised our powers in an emergency and taken possession of the vessel. We are now in the process of raising, removing and disposing of the vessel.’’

Luke Rogers, Chairman of Cornwall Harbours Board, added:
“Newquay’s harbour team have worked swiftly to remove this vessel and minimise pollution. The cost of removing and disposing of the vessel will be passed on to the owners.”

The legal notice issued for Ros Min can be read here: Section 252 Notice for Ros Min.