Boatbreakers have turned match-makers to help save the country’s ‘Lonely Boats’.
Alongside collecting and disposing of end of life boats across the UK, Boatbreakers now try and help save them too. The aim is to rescue as many languishing marine projects as possible before they add to the growing number of abandoned boats.
Boats can quickly become ‘lonely’ due to owners’ changing circumstances. In recent years the country has seen a pandemic, lockdowns and energy price hikes among other lowlights. These can all be big factors in an owner no longer being able to keep on top of a boat’s maintenance or financial arrangements.
Sadly, there are thousands of ‘lonely boats’ out there. Once-loved vessels sitting unused and forgotten in boat yards, marinas and even in people’s gardens. These boats may not be in terrible condition, but they have been neglected and unloved. Some owners may not be confident listing such a boat online and do not know where to turn if a broker is not interested.
MATCH-MAKERS
Over the years, there have been many boats that, in hindsight, might have sold as a project. So, Boatbreakers decided to put more emphasis on saving these ‘lonely’ boats from scrap.
On Lonelyboats.com and the Facebook group ‘Boat Scrapyard & Lonely Boats’ forgotten boats are given their own space in front of a specific audience. So far, Boatbreakers’ Lonely Boats platform has saved just under 100 vessels from scrap. Not to mention thousands of pounds in storage fees for owners who are desperate to get rid of their unused boats.
It is a service that Boatbreakers also extends to boatyards and marinas, who can unexpectedly become the owners of these vessels if owners stop paying. Listing the boat through the ‘Lonely Boats’ page might just save them a costly disposal bill. Expenses to cover the transport and waste fees can add up fast.
THE RIGHT BOATS
Boatbreakers has been running for close to 20 years so consider themselves a good judge of what might be worth saving. Any boat they can stop from being abandoned can make a difference, but they try and make sure they are responsible in the boats offered for sale.
The last thing they want to do is pass on a problem boat; these can end up being abandoned which can have a number of negative effects on the environment whether that is through the release of microplastics or spilling of oils and fuels. So, if a boat is too far gone and could be a potential danger to anyone else, it will not be shared.
Boatbreakers charge an upfront fee of £100 to share the boat and whatever you get for the boat is yours.
Even if you give the boat away, it has only cost you the initial fee. It can take as little as a day or two to find a list of people willing to make an offer for your ‘lonely’ boat.
