River Hull dredging license approved for key part of maritime project
PREPARATION: Arctic Corsair on her way to Dunston’s shipyard for restoration in October 2021. Picture by Neil Holmes
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
Historic trawler Arctic Corsair will finally be able to move to her permanent new home after Hull City Council was given permission to dredge part of the River Hull.
The city’s last remaining sidewinder trawler was initially due to be relocated alongside the new North End Shipyard visitor centre in time for an autumn opening last year.
But as revealed by The Hull Story in February, delays in securing approval for the dredging of the river meant the 693-tonne vessel could not be brought into its new berth. It is currently berthed in William Wright Dock after an extensive restoration.
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has now granted a license to dredge the river, which will see the removal of 3,500 cubic metres of silt to allow for the installation of a new 50-tonne dock gate. It is now anticipated the vessel will be docked in spring 2026.
The application for the license was submitted in October 2023 and the delays have caused “significant delays to the programme and overall costs”, the council said.
COMPLETE: The new North End Shipyard visitor centre, billed as one of the most energy-efficient cultural buildings in the UK
Welcoming the approval, city council leader, Councillor Mike Ross, said: “ The approval of the MMO license is a significant step forward for the Arctic Corsair project. We are now able to proceed with the essential works at North End Shipyard, ensuring that this historic trawler is berthed in her fitting new home.
“We appreciate the patience and support of everyone as we move forward with this vital redevelopment.”
The announcement comes alongside the completion of work on the new state-of-the-art visitor centre at the shipyard on High Street. The Corsair and the visitor centre will be key parts of the Hull Maritime project, which will feature a series of attractions highlighting Hull’s fishing and maritime heritage.
Other main elements include the Maritime Museum – which will be linked to the shipyard and through a refurbished Queens Gardens – and Spurn Lightship, berthed in Hull Marina.
It is hoped the Hull Maritime project, which also celebrates Hull’s status as Yorkshire’s only maritime city, will provide the biggest boost to the visitor economy since Hull’s year as UK City of Culture in 2017.
GETTING READY: North End Shipyard overlooked by the new visitor centre
The new facility is the first museum visitor centre to achieve Passivhaus certification and is being billed as one of the most energy-efficient cultural buildings in the UK.
Designed by architects Purcell, the two-floor building features highly insulated fabric, doors, and windows, ensuring optimal air quality and comfort throughout. The building has low energy consumption and also generates clean power through its rooftop solar panels.
Funded by the council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the centre offers previously unseen views along the River Hull, providing visitors with what the council says is a tranquil and inspiring space to explore the area’s maritime history. The building’s features include a dedicated learning space for schools, a lift, and changing facilities, ensuring accessibility for all.
Visitors will be able to get up close to the Corsair and learn about the lives of a trawlermen, with first-hand stories from former crew members.
Coun Ross said: “This new visitor centre will not just be a place to explore Hull’s maritime past – it’s a vision for the future.
RIVER VIEWS: The interior of the visitor centre
“By combining sustainability with accessibility and offering a space where people of all ages can connect with the remarkable history of North End Shipyard and the Arctic Corsair, we are ensuring that Hull’s maritime legacy is celebrated for generations to come.”
Owen Plummer, associate at Purcell, said: “The rejuvenation of the North End Shipyard explores and celebrates Hull’s remarkably rich maritime history, embedding this at the heart of a place-shaping initiative that will preserve several significant assets and project the city as a world-class visitor destination.
“Purcell is delighted to be working with Hull City Council in our collective vision of sustainably designing places where people can belong, at this fascinating hidden gem of a site.
“From its early function as the entrance to Queen’s Dock, to later use as a dry dock, the North End Shipyard is now the location for our climate-conscious Passivhaus visitor centre, the dry-docked Arctic Corsair, Hull’s last surviving deep-sea trawler, and repaired Scotch Derrick crane, physically and emotionally reconnecting Hull to its maritime heritage.”
The new dock gate at North End Shipyard will be installed in the autumn when preparatory works are complete.