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New life from old barges: recycling mission creates island haven for endangered seabirds
In a bold feat of marine engineering, the National Trust has sunk three decommissioned Thames lighters in the Blackwater Estuary, Essex, to form a brand-new island to help protect some of the UK’s most threatened seabirds.
The project – believed to be the first of its kind in the UK – marks the latest chapter in more than 30 years of cutting edge coastal adaptation work in the estuary, where the charity has been trialling nature-based solutions to protect Northey Island against rising sea levels and the rapid loss of saltmarsh.
The repurposed flat-bottomed barges, dating back to the 1950s, will create a new habitat and roosting refuge for red-listed birds including dunlin, curlew, lapwing and ringed plover, as well as vulnerable seabirds such as little terns and avocets. Katy Gilchrist, Coastal Project Manager for the National Trust, explains: “This is the ultimate act of marine recycling—transforming retired industrial vessels into a sanctuary for wildlife. We’re basically turning history into habitat, and as far as we know, no one has attempted anything quite like this before.”
Once the work is complete, the island will add 1.4 acres of vital new habitat –almost the size of a football pitch – within the Blackwater Estuary, one of the most ecologically important wetland systems in the UK.
Northey Island is open to the public from April to September and closed in winter to protect overwintering birds. For see
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/northey-island
Morgan Marine acquires Fox's Marine
Brightlingsea-based Morgan Marine has announced the purchase of Fox’s Marina, Boatyard and Chandlery. Both businesses will continue to trade under their existing names with the same familiar faces, locations and contact details.
The creation of Morgans Group enables closer collaboration between the two companies, improving efficiency and expanding what they can offer to boat owners across the region. Morgan Marine provides sales and service for prestigious brands including Jeanneau, Nimbus, Highfield, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, and Mercury. Fox’s, which operates as a full-service facility specialising in refit and repair for larger vessels, alongside a well-stocked chandlery, will continue under its established management team, joined by Graham and Oli Miller as CEO and COO respectively, while Sir Richard Matthews will remain as Non-Executive Chairman.
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