Salvaging a Sunken RIB in Kent: Calling Time on an Unfinished Project
Salvaging a Sunken RIB in Kent: Calling Time on an Unfinished Project
We’ve all held onto a project long after the momentum faded. Recently, the Boatbreakers team traveled down to Kent to handle a very tough call for a local boat owner: collecting a sunken Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) that had reached the end of the line.
A Long-Awaited Collection in Kent
The boat had actually sunk months prior, and a salvage operation successfully brought her back to the surface shortly after. Unfortunately, the owner spent months hesitating, unable to decide whether to tackle a massive restoration or let her go. Meanwhile, storage fees quietly piled up in the background.
Eventually, reality set in. Realizing he was never going to find the time or money to restore the waterlogged hull, the owner called time on the storage fees. He accepted the hard truth and reached out to us for a complete clearance.
A Waterlogged Hull and a Submerged Engine
When our team arrived on-site in Kent, the toll of the sinking was glaringly obvious. The engine had gone completely under during the incident and sat untouched ever since the initial recovery. Consequently, salt water and neglect had done their work, leaving the motor beyond saving and the hull fit only for proper disposal.
Even so, not everything was a total loss. Carefully inspecting what we could salvage, our team managed to rescue the central console and the seating units before sending the rest away. Fortunately, these parts were in decent enough shape to be sold on quickly, giving another boater the exact components they needed for their own RIB project.
Ultimately, getting rid of the hull stopped the drain of storage fees and cleared away a painful reminder. Whether a boat has suffered flood damage, fire, or years of neglect, Boatbreakers is always ready to step in, salvage what we can, and clear your space.
Got a damaged or written-off boat taking up space? Get in touch with the Boatbreakers team today to find out how we can help.
