Cornwall Council has launched the sale of a number of boats which have been left abandoned in Penzance Harbour. The council is selling off eight vessels and has also agreed to dismantle three others which are at risk of sinking.

The council’s Harbours Board agreed in February that it would start the disposal of the vessels which are considered to be unserviceable, laid by or neglected. It also agreed to pay for the three which need to be dismantled.

Those vessels are larger and will have to be dismantled in Penzance as they are unfit to be towed to the licensed dismantling facility in Truro. Arkin Castle will cost £76,000 to be dismantled whilst La Nina and Kyalami will cost £26,000 each.

A report to the Harbours Board explained: “Following an audit of the boat storage area a number of vessels have been identified to be in an unserviceable condition. These vessels are in a deteriorating condition and pose an increased risk to safe operations at the harbour.

“Owners of these vessels are uncontactable or unresponsive to communications, and in some cases mooring/storage dues owed. We are now seeking to recover these costs via the agreed council protocol.

“Powers are available to the Harbours Board to seek that these vessels are removed or disposed of from the harbour. Removing these vessels will increase space for new harbour users and allow us to accept new customers.”

The eight vessels which are being sold by the council are being “sold as seen” and “with no guarantee of general condition or seaworthiness”. The sale will be carried out through a process of sealed bids which need to be submitted by midnight on April 21.

Details of the vessels are as follows:

  • Avon Speedrider SR 4.7m with Mercury Engine on trailer
  • 14ft Cabin Motor Boat, GRP, red antifoul below waterline, white hull, white superstructure, on poor condition trailer
  • 21ft sailing vessel, bilge keel, dark blue hull, light blue superstructure, mast in situ
  • 21ft sailing vessel, bilge keel, blue hull, white superstructure, mast in situ
  • Sailing vessel ‘Kelly’, possibly a Jaguar 22
  • 24ft sailing vessel, CLT, mast in situ
  • 22ft sailing vessel, ‘Out On A Limbo’, lifting keel
  • Wooden catamaran, ‘Balmaiden’, approx 30ft in length.

Purchasers will be required to remove the vessel from the harbour within seven days unless otherwise agreed with the harbourmaster. Purchase of a vessel does not guarantee that a mooring will be available or override the waiting list for moorings or boat storage.

Appointments to view the vessels can be made by email to the Harbour Master [email protected]

Sealed bids, indicating the name of the boat bidding for, should be sent by post to Maritime Section, Town Quay, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2HJ.