Halcyon 23 Days Over: A Yacht Recovery Mission in Ramsgate

Boat Disposal in Ramsgate

This week, Boatbreakers were tasked with the removal of a Halcyon 23, a classic small cruiser that had unfortunately reached the absolute end of its lifespan.

The vessel was afloat but in a badly deteriorated state. Years of exposure had taken their toll, leaving the hull fragile and the topsides weathered. Recovering a boat in this condition from the water requires a steady hand. There is always a risk that a compromised hull might struggle under the pressure of the lift straps.

Restoration Financially Unviable 

Success in these operations relies on good teamwork. The Ramsgate marina team operated the travel hoist, carefully lifting the waterlogged yacht from her berth. As she broke the surface, the full extent of the damage from heavy marine growth to osmosis was visible, confirming that restoration was financially unviable.

Waiting on the hardstanding was the Boatbreakers heavy haulage lorry. Once the marina operators manoeuvred the vessel over our truck, she was lowered gently onto the flatbed. Our driver secured the fragile hull with ratchet straps, ensuring the load was stable for the road journey despite the boat’s poor condition.

With the yacht safely loaded, the lorry departed the Kent coast, transporting the Halcyon 23 back to our dedicated boat scrapyard. She is now undergoing processing, where hazardous materials will be removed, and the metal and fibreglass separated for responsible recycling.

Project Highlights

• The Challenge: A Halcyon 23 yacht berthed in Ramsgate had deteriorated significantly. The vessel was still afloat but was in poor condition, making it a potential hazard and unsuitable for sale or restoration.

• The Solution: The owner instructed Boatbreakers to remove the vessel entirely from the harbour. We dispatched our transport team to Ramsgate to coordinate a water-to-road extraction.

• The Logistics: Because the boat was in the water, we coordinated closely with the Ramsgate marina team. They used their travel hoist to lift the fragile hull carefully from the water and lower it directly onto our waiting lorry, where it was strapped down for the journey.

• The Outcome: The yacht was successfully recovered to the Boatbreakers scrapyard without incident. It is now being processed for responsible disposal, ensuring no environmental debris was left behind in the harbour. Plus the owner will now save thousands in wasted storage fees.