News / Ebenhaezer
‘Yet another example of the price Bristol is paying for the ongoing neglect of its harbour assets’
The group representing boaters in the Floating Harbour have slammed Bristol City Council for choosing to scrap the Ebenhaezer rather than enabling the vessel to be taken on as a commercial asset or to be transformed into a home.
As first reported in Bristol24/7, the Dutch barge is currently in the Albion dry dock after surveys found it is no longer safe for it to remain in the harbour
In 2019, the council purchased the Ebenhaezer and its mooring rights next to Welsh Back for £1.4m in order so a development of former warehouses could take place.
is needed now More than ever
Until a few days ago, however, the 137ft-long barge had been collecting rust close to Bristol Bridge.
Bristol Boaters Community Association say the sorry saga of the Ebenhaezer “is yet another example of the price Bristol is paying for the ongoing neglect of its harbour assets”.
Ebenhaezer was moored for several years close to Bristol Bridge – photo: Martin Booth
In a statement, a spokesperson from Bristol Boaters Community Association said: “The council’s decision to let this vessel go to waste represents a significant missed opportunity, both commercially and for community benefit.
“Over the years, a number of beneficial community organisations have attempted to take on the responsibility for this vessel since it came under council ownership, only to be rejected by the Harbour Authority.
“This is yet another example of the price Bristol is paying for the ongoing neglect of its harbour assets.
“Bristol maritime industries have the skills to bring the Ebenhaezer back to life.
“This vessel could be perfectly suited to commercial use or providing homes in the city.
“Breaking up the vessel contradicts the recent vision outlined in the Harbour Place Shaping Strategy, which emphasises maximising commercial moorings to generate income for the harbour.
“It underscores the importance – and the cost – of regular maintenance to preserve the value and safety of vessels.
“The Ebenhaezer case demonstrates how neglect can quickly escalate into safety risks or unmanageable maintenance costs, further highlighting the urgency of proactive boat ownership.
“If vessels in the harbour are continued to be subjected to drastic rises in mooring fees, cases like this will unfortunately rise, especially for the larger houseboats and Dutch barges.”
In a previous statement, Bristol City Council said: “Surveys completed on the barge have concluded that it is no longer in a condition to safely remain moored in the Floating Harbour.
“To remove any potential risk that it presents to harbour (sic), the barge has been moved to the Albion Dry Dock.
“Costs to repair the barge to make it good enough to travel safely on the water far outweigh what its value would be once restored to such a condition.
“We have therefore taken the decision to dismantle the barge to reuse and recycle its individual parts.”
Main photo: Friends of Bathurst Basin
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