A long-established Hull shipyard has been appointed to repair and restore two of the city’s much-loved ships, the Arctic Corsair and Spurn Lightship, in a £4.8 million contract win.
Complex, specialist work will see the vessels given a new lease of life by Dunston Ship Repairs Ltd, as part of the £30.3 million Hull Maritime project.
The heritage-led regeneration scheme seeks to preserve and celebrate the history, with both vessels to continue to play an important role in showcasing their national and historical significance to visitors and residents alike.
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Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Hull City Council, Hull’s last remaining sidewinder trawler, the Arctic Corsair will be the first vessel to be restored. It will take place at the Alexandra Dock shipyard. She was last moved from her original berth in August 2019 - when she captured the hearts of thousands of people who came to see the trawler move for the first time in 20 years.
Councillor Daren Hale, leader of Hull City Council, said: “I am delighted to see this project move forward, and this decision is a key and important milestone.
“It is great to have a specialist shipyard on board who fully understands the importance of working closely with our curators and volunteers to restore these two ships and the significance they have within the city.
“Dunston’s will work to preserve the historical integrity of the ships, enabling visitors to discover their true physical connection to what makes them so special.”
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The contract was awarded following a competitive and highly technical bidding and review process, with the detailed submissions extensively reviewed by project staff and independent maritime experts.
Dunston’s thoroughness in their attention to detail, and their experience along with their extensive knowledge of the supply chain stood out. The commitment to training, apprenticeships to young people and utilising local labour was also a factor, all supporting the city’s economy and improving skills within the local workforce.
Richard Bourne, managing director and co-owner, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this once-in-a-lifetime contract to restore two of the city’s historic ships which are cherished by so many. We appreciate how important they are, what they mean to the city and the vital role they played in our maritime story.
“Dunston’s have a long and established history in restoring ships and we are proud to be able to work on these two significant vessels.
“Not only will the restoration of the ships support the local economy with most of the supply chain being from Hull, the opportunities to enhance the skills and learning of young people and our team will also be an important and exciting element of the contract.
“We are looking forward to working with the Hull Maritime team to create two special museum-ships that will be displayed on a national and international stage, for residents and visitors to explore and appreciate for decades to come.”
It takes place alongside significant improvements to develop three important sites: the Maritime Museum; the Dock Office Chambers and the North End Shipyard, where Arctic Corsair will be berthed on completion. An opening is envisaged in summer 2023.
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David Renwick, regional director for The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “The journey of the Arctic Corsair in 2019 captivated many people, and its restoration and that of the Spurn Lightship is sure to do the same.
“We’re thrilled to see this element of Hull: Yorkshire’s Maritime City and the project as a whole progressing well. Thanks to National Lottery players, this important heritage item will be preserved to be enjoyed by locals and visitors from further afield, whilst also playing a significant role in boosting the local economy and aiding the wider regeneration of Hull.”
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