Leading engineering specialist Spencer Group is to create a new dock gate as part of a £1.9m project to preserve an historic vessel.
The project to improve and repair Hull’s North End Shipyard is part of a wider £32m cultural regeneration project led by Hull City Council to celebrate the city’s rich maritime heritage.
The North End Shipyard is set to become the new home for the country’s last remaining sidewinder trawler, the Arctic Corsair, which will form a new visitor attraction when in place.
The city council has appointed Hull Esteem Consortium LEP as principal contractor for the shipyard project, with Spencer Group designing and delivering the vital lock gate element for the dry dock.
Spencer Group will remove the existing gate, before installing the new 15m by 6m, 50 tonne steel replacement from the River Hull following berthing of the vessel. The gate will then be sealed in place by forming a reinforced concrete wall, providing a permanent home for the Arctic Corsair.
Hull-based Spencer Group has already completed work to create a new home for another iconic vessel, the Spurn Lightship, as part of the Hull Maritime project.
The company created a new wet berth for the lightship in Hull Marina earlier this year which is set to become another local maritime visitor attraction in the coming months.
Neil Hewitt, Pre-Construction Project Manager for Spencer Group, said: “This is a really important project for us.
“The Arctic Corsair is one of the flagship vessels of the city’s maritime history and we’re extremely proud to be playing our part in preserving it for future generations. Having previously been involved in constructing her berthing outside the Streetlife Museum over 20 years ago, the business is proud to play its part in settling her into her new home.
“It means a lot to everyone at Spencer Group to deliver projects like this, particularly in our home city of Hull.”
Spencer Group’s multi-disciplinary skillset makes it the ideal company to deliver the complex project, which is expected to be completed in the coming months.
Mr Hewitt added: “We’ve completed the design and the new dock gate is currently being fabricated.
“We will soon be undertaking the on-site works to accommodate the new gate and the preparatory works to accommodate the Arctic Corsair and with her in place, compete the final works to create her new permanent home and allow the people of Hull to enjoy her once again.”
Spencer Group worked alongside principal contractor Hull Esteem Consortium LEP, and partners including the Environment Agency and other key stakeholders, throughout the design phase and will now move forward with plans for the delivery plan and execution of the phased approach.
Gavin Barley, General Manager for Hull Esteem said: “This is a new and challenging scheme in many ways, but a great opportunity for Hull Esteem and Spencer Group to work in partnership to regenerate one of Hull’s most important maritime treasures.
“We’re looking forward to being able to play our part in the much wider programme of works currently under development to create an exciting new maritime route that will guide visitors through the heart of the city.”
Gillian Osgerby, Programme Director at Hull City Council, added: “The North End Shipyard is steeped in maritime history. This area will be revitalised as part of the exciting plans to create a new visitor attraction for our residents and visitors to the city.
“To become the new home of the Arctic Corsair, a piece of technical work is needed to remove and replace the lock gate that connects the dry dock to the river Hull.
“We are looking forward to working with Hull Esteem Limited and the Spencer Group over the coming months to deliver this critical element of work.”
