Fire Damaged Fairline Sunfury 26 Boat in Cambridge
Fire Damaged Fairline Sunfury 26 Removal
The call came in for a challenging recovery: a fire-damaged Fairline Sunfury 26, completely gutted and marooned on a slipway in rural Cambridgeshire. The boat’s owners had shown remarkable bravery, managing to secure the vessel ashore despite the blaze before the fire brigade extinguished it. Now, Boatbreakers’ task was to remove the sodden, charred hulk safely and efficiently.
The Fairline Sunfury was a sorry sight entirely gutted, yet the aft section was just about still buoyant. Our initial plan involved sending our standard Hiab truck to the adjacent space, intending to sling the boat and lift it onto the flatbed. However, the first attempt quickly showed the true extent of the challenge. The sheer weight of the fire-soaked hull and its contents proved too much. The boat was significantly heavier than anticipated, forcing an immediate operational pause to regroup and escalate the recovery.
Mitigating Potential Contaminants
Regrouping quickly, we understood that protecting the environment was paramount. The boat, a potential source of pollution, was sitting right next to the river. We immediately deployed oil containment booms to encircle the area, ensuring any residual oil or contaminants from the wreck would be prevented from entering the water.
A much larger Hiab crane was rapidly deployed to the scene. This machine provided the necessary power and reach, allowing the crew to safely attach the slings. With the correct equipment in place, the second lift was executed with relative ease. The oversized crane scooped the Fairline Sunfury 26 up and transferred it securely onto our transport.
Waterways Clear Once More
The local River Conservancy officers were present throughout the operation and expressed their relief and satisfaction as the heavily damaged vessel—which had been blocking their main slipway was finally removed. Another potential pollution hazard was safely mitigated, and the waterway was clear once more.
