Stern warning: one man’s mission to clear the rotting boats poisoning Cornwall’s creeks
Summary
Steve Green, a boat engineer in Cornwall, is working to remove 166 abandoned fibreglass yachts from Cornwall’s creeks because they leak plastic and toxins into the water. These old boats are difficult and costly to dispose of properly, leading many owners to abandon them, which harms marine life and the environment.Key Facts
- Steve Green uses an old campervan, named Cecil, with a crane to remove abandoned yachts.
- There are 166 abandoned fibreglass yachts leaking harmful substances into the Helford and Fal rivers in Cornwall.
- Fibreglass shards found in sea creatures near the wrecks have been compared to asbestos in terms of harmful effects.
- Many yachts from the 1960s and 1970s are reaching the end of their lifespan without plans for safe disposal.
- Disposal costs range from £1,200 to £3,000 per boat, which discourages owners from removing them properly.
- Green’s organisation, Clean Ocean Sailing, relies on volunteers, small grants, and crowdfunding.
- Boats can be abandoned easily because owners do not need a license for coastal waters and are often untraceable.
- The task is expensive and time-consuming, forcing Green to spend personal money and balance his family life with environmental efforts.
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