Photos: Boat That Sank In Hurricane Raised
[Updated + Written by Don Burgess]
Over the past two days, Jepheth Newton has watched and assisted with his 92-foot trawler Esperanza being raised from the bottom of the harbour in St David’s.
The boat sank during Hurricane Nicole last October when it was driven against former gambling boat Niobe Corinthian.
Government ordered the salvage job to help clear Marginal Wharf for the airport redevelopment project, which Mr. Newton says he will be billed for, an amount that could be $30,000.
“It’s just a matter of getting it done. It’s a little more than my idea to get it done.”
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Said Mr. Newton, who had ordered his own air bags from China and he estimates it would have cost around $8,000 under his plan.
He said floating the boat and getting it to a new location “is still a work in progress.”
Mr. Newton said once the Esperanza is out of the water it will be “a matter of getting my engine sorted out. I need to get my engine up and running because it’s been under water for so long.”
1-hour live video replay showing part of the operation to remove the boat
After he finds a hanger to put it on and gets it in ship shape, he plans on finding a mooring for the boat.
“After that, I’m going to start paying off this debt I’m getting. I have no idea what the final cost is going to be, but I’ve been told it will be around $30,000. I asked them to give me a quote but I haven’t received anything,” he told Bernews.
The only bit of good news for Mr. Newton is that has started a new job. “I’m on probation and I’ve had two days off but I don’t think I can get a third one and I need to get back to work.”
Mr. Newton said he is a bit upset he didn’t get a chance to attempt his less expensive method of raising the boat. “This is going to take me years to pay off, but it is what it is and I’m just trying to move forward.”
Update 10.58am: We asked the Ministry of Tourism, Transport & Municipalities if this was being done in preparation for the airport project, and a spokesperson said, “As part of preparations for the building of the new airport terminal, machinery and supplies are on their way to Bermuda.
“Those materials will be landed at Marginal Wharf in St. George’s, as this is the closest dock to the airport. It is therefore necessary to remove existing obstructions to Marginal Wharf to allow for safe landing of the materials.”
In addition, a Skyport spokesperson said, “As part of our preparations for the building of the new airport terminal, Aecon is starting to move machinery and supplies to Bermuda. We will be bringing these materials in through St. George’s and/or Marginal Wharf, as this is the closest dock to the airport.”
Click to enlarge photos:
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Category: All, Marine, News, Photos, Videos
It just needs a coat of paint and it will be ready for the Americas Cup
Engines underwater all this time. Hull damage. Above deck damage. All wiring. Never mind cosmetics.
That boat is toast.
” I need to get my engine up and running because it’s been under water for so long.”
It’s nice to have dreams.
she’s done….don’t waste yur time bie
It would be nice if all of the boats that were left scattered across the island from the hurricanes could all be removed. I’m curious as to why they have been allowed to just remain in place. Does anyone know the reason for that? Thanks.
Its super expensive to move boats off the shore line and no one to legally peg the cost to. Couple that with old marine ownership laws and there you go – a shore line full of old wrecks.
Kim – the Government does not want to take people to court to recoup the cost of removing vessels because its politically unpalatable. A large number of people who own boats on this Island can no longer afford them. Just look at the number of boats sitting in peoples yards or just ask the boat yard owners how many delinquent non paying customers they have who’s boats they have either seized through the courts or have scrapped and taken to the dump because the owners don’t want to pay their bills and their is no value in them. When you buy a boat there should be a bond you pay to Government which is used if and when the boat is abandoned and disposed of to cover those costs!
Can we also get rid of the Niobe Corinthian? Talk about an eyesore! Do it now and charge the owner.
1 down …or up…and so many more to go! I hope the 3 that are grounded in the northern side of Ferry Reach and the boats sunk in Elys Harbour will be removed soon!
Straight out to shore shore. Wreck for scuba diving!
Visitors love to see a wreck. Some of them expect to see the remains of the captain hanging onto the wheel. Give it to them.
Dump this mess & the one in front of it someplace easily accessible for novice divers & snorkelers.
I think this guy should set up a blog or be given a regular column on Bernews as I would love to track his progress on this project. I agree with the other comments that economically this boat is toast, but he is clearly passionate about it and you never know, he might just get the thing launched again… if not it his trials and tribulations will at least entertain the nation! I can see people rallying around him and helping out with the project – could be good publicity for a partner in the marine business too…
You first.
Me nah try to diss de man but de boat haffi go down me now seeing it back out in de harbor wth. gwaun wif de boat dem and mash it up. my sewage pipes look more attractive den dat boat. fiyah fi de boat
Always sad to see a boat in this shape. Man I don’t think it worth trying to fix her.
Supposed to blow 40 tomorrow night and boat is sitting on anchor in harbor…..great planning.
Raise the Titanic bermystyle.
Fantastic for the environment, glad she was raised after all the fuel and battery acid had leaked out!
At taxpayer expense no doubt
Looks like she was probably a wreck before it sank.