Historic dry dock reopens for business

Richmond Dry Dock in Appledore was built in 1856 and last used in the 1960s. After nine months’ restoration work costing nearly £190,000, the Grade II listed structure, once famous for being the largest dry dock in the Bristol Channel and at the centre of the area’s formerly thriving shipbuilding industry, is operational again.

The dock is run by FTD Marine on a five year lease with the option to extend or buy the site and already four vessels have been received for dismantling and recycling, with further vessels from across the country booked in.

FTD has also received a silver award from English Heritage for its restoration, an honour owner Gareth Evans is justifiably proud of.

“We have a ship breaking licence from the Environment Agency for heavy dismantling, he said. “There are many ships which need dismantling but nowhere for them to go.

“Many people are doing it illegally but people are becoming increasingly conscious about the environment. We are in a triple SI environmental area here so have to look after it and dispose of all materials safely, following all environmental legislation including oil, diesel, and asbestos.”

It is not only potentially dangerous chemicals which are disposed of safely. The shipyard carries out extensive recycling of parts such as portholes, doors, engines and gearboxes. Scrapped materials transported from the dock via river rather than road.

The eight staff, expected to increase to up to 18 within the next six months, are also able to carry out ship dismantling in other harbours and ports. One such project recently completed is the dismantling of the 17m MV Sarah in Ilfracombe, which sank in the harbour after its wooden hull gave way.

“There is a lot of demand, said Evans. “We’re currently receiving phone calls from harbour authorities across the country. We’re able to handle vessels up to 220ft long, 36ft wide, 5.8m draft and no weight limit.”

He thanked the local community for their support for the reopening of the dry dock.

A community group, Celebrating Appledore’s Shipping Heritage (CASH), was set up to fight plans to build houses on the dock last year, ensuring Appledore’s heritage was preserved.

“CASH has always believed in a viable commercial future for the dock, said a spokesman for the group. “We are delighted to see life restored to this historic structure, and that this will again bring employment and shipbuilding back to the heart of Appledore. “The sensitivity shown by Gareth Evans, director of FTD, towards the historical background of the site and his enthusiasm for the project has so far impressed us.”

The group also hopes there will be a Maritime Skills Centre in place one day along with boat storage, small boat repairs and the display and maintenance of historic ships.