Wreck to Reef RSS Feedhttp://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/index.htmlWreck to Reef Newsendave@cocoamedia.co.ukCopyright 2009 Cocoa Media2010-08-04T09:14:39+01:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:23:00 +0100Chalk and Cheese Press Releasedave@cocoamedia.co.ukPress2010-08-04T09:14:39+01:00http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/eb10472de18abd2272bb0561f76c8265-14.html#unique-entry-id-14http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/eb10472de18abd2272bb0561f76c8265-14.html#unique-entry-id-14Fantastic news!
As previously reported, at the end of June the Dorset County Council democratically voted to take a lease from Crown Estate for the W2R Project and to then sub-lease to W2R. This has been the biggest hurdle that we are likely to encounter and it is a huge relief that it is now behind us.

A further development can be reported today with the announcement that the Local Action Group, Chalk and Cheese, has through their executive committee agreed a grant of £111,000 to W2R for the capitol costs of two of the three lobster restocking reefs and help with 3 years management costs.]]>July Update - Fantastic Newsdave@cocoamedia.co.ukProject2010-07-02T12:37:05+01:00http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/bb64709a6a537a5bd1d228f83ced31ec-13.html#unique-entry-id-13http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/bb64709a6a537a5bd1d228f83ced31ec-13.html#unique-entry-id-13At the end of June the Dorset County Council democratically voted to take a lease from Crown Estate for the W2R Project and to then sub-lease to W2R. This has been the biggest hurdle that we are likely to encounter and it is a huge relief that it is now behind us.

For their part, the County Council Officers have given us a fair hearing and they have also worked diligently with us to ensure that all available information was taken into consideration. Bearing in mind that the County Council are not experienced in all things marine, they have been receptive to help and advice from our maritime law expert, Academic lawyer, Tom Appleby and this professional relationship will now stand us in good stead in our continuing relationship with the County Council.

Letters of support were received from the Environment Agency, UK Trade and Investment and Richard Drax MP who said he thought “there is room out at sea to meet everyone’s needs” and he quoted Jeremy Hunt MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport who had recently made a speech in Portland concerning the importance of coastal tourism. Richard said it is vital that we re-invigorate the sport of diving which is good for the region.

There were letters of concern from the sailing fraternity; Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, Royal Dorset Yacht Club and the Commodore of Weymouth Sailing Club. Over the past 12 months we have made several requests to meet with the Yacht Clubs of Weymouth in order to discuss their concerns but to date, we have been unsuccessful. We will continue to press for meetings so that we can understand their concerns more fully in order to find practical solutions that will be acceptable to all.]]>June 2010 update...dave@cocoamedia.co.ukProject2010-06-23T10:57:40+01:00http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/9f2309729bf5924691bb25933fd44193-12.html#unique-entry-id-12http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/9f2309729bf5924691bb25933fd44193-12.html#unique-entry-id-12Dorset County Council and the lease.

The decision by Dorset County Council (DCC) on whether to become seabed leaseholder of the W2R project was due to be decided at a Cabinet meeting on the 5th May. However, this has been postponed until 29th June to enable the evaluation of new information with regard to liability insurance for the project.

Until now, the annual insurance premium costs have been estimated at between £10,000 and £20,000 but this figure has now been reduced to £5,000 because a specialised Lloyd’s marine insurance company has been sourced through Houlder Insurance Services. This has been made possible with the help of Hugh Wiltshire of Quest Marine Ltd who has used his expertise and contacts within the maritime world to assist us. The insurance cover of £5million should be adequate to put DCC at ease with regard to their concerns about liability.

A further concern of DCC, and a justified one, was the cost of the first two years insurance. Because W2R will not become financially viable until the second year of the project, the financial burden of the insurance premium would ultimately rest with them and in this difficult financial climate this would have been an important consideration. However, a knight in shining armour arrived in the guise of the UK Trade and Investment and has offered to meet the first two years insurance costs, £10,000, thereby relieving DCC of this financial burden.

The reason for this timely award is that UK Trade and Investment see the W2R project as attracting foreign visitors and much needed revenue and has also offered to help us ‘internationalise’ in order to capitalise on this market.

Richard Drax and Political Support

We would like to congratulate Richard on becoming South Dorset Member of Parliament. Prior to his heady elevation, Richard was very supportive of W2R and helped to communicate the benefits of the project to the County Council both in terms of the local economy and community. This combined with the Leader of the Council, Angus Campbell who included us within the Olympic Legacy, has led to reasoned political support at County Hall. We look forward to Richards continued support now that he is in a position of power.

Chalk and Cheese Funding
The Chalk and Cheese grant application has been heard by the Local Action Group at a presentation held at Athelhampton House and well received. We have now successfully passed this first stage and our case is now being considered by the Executive Committee. We should have a final decision by the end of July.
]]>Once upon a time in a land far far away………………….!dave@cocoamedia.co.ukProject2010-03-24T13:44:16+00:00http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/37be9f20403426ca63c93acb44f5c268-11.html#unique-entry-id-11http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/37be9f20403426ca63c93acb44f5c268-11.html#unique-entry-id-11Taking on board some of the concerns highlighted in the Dorset County Council’s (DCC) cabinet report we have met with various organisations in an attempt to mitigate any problems as best we can.]]>Interview with CBC - Canadian Radiodave@cocoamedia.co.ukNone2010-01-29T16:27:49+00:00http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/fc5c4f3e1ea3f8f5a638eec6621ece1c-10.html#unique-entry-id-10http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/fc5c4f3e1ea3f8f5a638eec6621ece1c-10.html#unique-entry-id-10
It was a great interview and can be heard here: http://www.cbc.ca/radioshows/AS_IT_HAPPENS/20100126.shtml

Quote:

"In the U.K., the phrase "sleeping with the fishes" could soon become a promise rather than a threat.A non-profit organisation in Dorset, England wants to make an artificial reef out of concrete balls containing cremated remains. The coordinators of the project hope these "bereavement balls" will breathe new life into the English Channel's seabed, produce a healthy marine ecosystem and bring the area's diving industry back from...well, not quite the dead, but close.Neville Copperthwaite is the project co-ordinator of Weymouth and Portland Wreck-to-Reef. We reached him at his home in Portland, England."


]]>September Update no.2...dave@cocoamedia.co.ukProject2009-09-25T14:21:14+01:00http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/e75291b3e16e6364cd064eee0cdac316-9.html#unique-entry-id-9http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/e75291b3e16e6364cd064eee0cdac316-9.html#unique-entry-id-9September Updatedave@cocoamedia.co.ukProject2009-09-17T10:49:56+01:00http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/2da4aed1e90df476654551f9484a82a5-8.html#unique-entry-id-8http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/2da4aed1e90df476654551f9484a82a5-8.html#unique-entry-id-8Ship Donation
The Weymouth and Portland Wreck to Reef (W2R) Project has some exciting news to report.

Talks are in progress with a local businessman who has offered to purchase and donate an ex Royal Navy warship to the W2R project.

The businessman, who wishes to remain anonymous for the time being, is involved within the Marine Industry locally and has taken a keen interest in the W2R project.

The Warship, which played an integral role in the Falklands Conflict, would be environmentally cleaned and made safe for diving whilst moored alongside number one berth in Weymouth Harbour, thereby maximising publicity for the project. This would be funded through the same businessman’s benevolence.

This development takes the project out of the realms of anticipation and moves it into reality. This is a towering example of the Business Sector putting something back into the community and has been the case right from the start. The W2R Project has only been made possible through the help and support of the local diving industry.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council Harbour Board have already confirmed to W2R that number one berth could be made available for the preparation of the ship prior to scuttling.
]]>Change of plan for shipwreck reef site off Portlanddave@cocoamedia.co.ukPress2009-07-10T11:01:16+01:00http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/23a4ca0061303b52d504bfa373ce2a0a-7.html#unique-entry-id-7http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/23a4ca0061303b52d504bfa373ce2a0a-7.html#unique-entry-id-7
OBJECTIONS from the military have prompted project leaders to rethink a plan to sink a warship off Portland and create a new diving reef.

They have been forced to identify a new area of seabed for their underwater sanctuary after a preferred site in Balaclava Bay was blocked by the MoD because it would affect a training area.

Wreck to Reef (W2R) project co-ordinator Neville Copperthwaite insisted the scheme was not dead in the water as a new site had been found south of Ringstead Bay, following discussions with the Crown Estate. The zone is around the same size of 1km by 1km and although less sheltered it is deeper.

Initial findings from a survey of the new site indicate an artificial reef would not affect any marine life and in fact would probably help to boost flora and fauna.

The next hurdle for the project is obtaining permissions that are needed from a multitude of different agencies, as well as getting Dorset County Council to agree to become a leaseholder for the site.

Both the county council and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council had been supportive throughout, Mr Copperthwaite said.
Borough council officers say the project would provide a major boost to the economy.

Mr Copperthwaite revealed a bid for funding had been submitted to the South West Regional Development Agency (SWERDA). So far the project has been financed by Weymouth and Portland’s diving community to the tune of almost £20,000, and it is hoped SWERDA will at least match-fund this so the project can progress through the next stages.

W2R would like to tap the agency for a further chunk of funding in the future but it is hoped to tempt a sponsor on board to pay for the cost of securing a warship.

The project is seen as tying in with the Olympic legacy and it is still envisaged the first sunken ship will be in place for the 2011 diving season.

Mr Copperthwaite said: “We’ve had to change sites because our preferred location at Balaclava Bay and the second option off Church Ope Cove are near an acoustic range used by Navy minesweepers.

“Apparently it’s the only site in the country and the MoD objected because they said compressor equipment on the diving boats would interfere with range operations.

“We’re not disappointed. The diving community is happy with the new site which is just outside the anchorage area of Weymouth Bay and a minimum of 22 metres deep as opposed to 16 metres.

“It’s closer to Weymouth but would still be accessed by dive boats from both Weymouth and Portland.”

Mr Copperthwaite said the project had galvanised the local diving industry. This was evident when eight divers, including an underwater cameraman, plus boat skippers gave their services for a day to take part in the environmental survey to establish the overall flora, fauna and topography of the new site.

Mr Coppertwaite said: “The project has taken another step towards becoming a reality.”]]>Progress Report...dave@cocoamedia.co.ukNone2009-05-27T15:06:37+01:00http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/6df93e96ad2f2697aa18395bdd84f62f-6.html#unique-entry-id-6http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/6df93e96ad2f2697aa18395bdd84f62f-6.html#unique-entry-id-6May 2009
  • A meeting was held at County Hall between Wreck to Reef, Crown Estate, Pavey group Insurance and Helen Heanes and various DCC legal and corporate officers. It was a positive meeting, the outcome being that the officers were put at ease somewhat with regards to potential liability. They will now make recommendations to their executive officers before it is put up to the Cabinet for a final decision.
  • A meeting with Rachael Waldock of Natural England is held to discuss the requirements and submission of a Baseline Study for the artificial reef site. It is agreed that Natural England will accept a Baseline Study produced by ‘Wreck to Reef. If this can be pulled together using local diving resources this will negate the need to source funding in order to realise this study. It also means that we can conduct the survey immediately.
  • The education arm of the project was discussed with Rachael and we explained that we would be keen to link the Natural England Under-Sea Landscape campaign with our project, and to that end we had directed our education officer to liaise with Jane Fooks, Portland Schools Academy Manager to stimulate interest in this. Rachael was keen on this idea and said that she would liaise with Karen Mitchell of Natural England, the lady tasked with rolling out this initiative across the country. Positive outcome.
  • Richard Bull, BBC Technical Diving Expert and Approved Consultant to the TV and Film Industry, who has been involved in the filming of BBC’s Blue Planet and Abyss, has agreed to provide underwater cameras to film video footage of our Baseline Study. Richard has a two week window between scheduled filming which we hope to capitalise on.
  • Local boats and diving manpower are now being sourced to aid Richard and for the collection of Data for the Baseline Study.
  • A meeting has been arranged with Richard Drax, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for South Dorset, with a view to enlisting his help and influence to help us along.
  • Gareth Jones is still being encouraged to finalise the Economic Impact Assessment.
]]>April news update...dave@cocoamedia.co.ukNone2009-04-15T17:49:52+01:00http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/c7dd4807cbe2beb02c54200dd2ca7392-5.html#unique-entry-id-5http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/c7dd4807cbe2beb02c54200dd2ca7392-5.html#unique-entry-id-5
The report does not take into account the Project as a whole, but rather is based on the Scylla Project in Plymouth. Never-the-less, the report shows that the first stage of the W2R project would increase the local economy by £1,230,168 annually.]]>Summery of meeting with the Regional Development Agency. (RDA)dave@cocoamedia.co.ukProject2009-02-04T15:48:39+00:00http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/c2b93e88ec2310cf2901fbd8f04ab2e6-4.html#unique-entry-id-4http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/c2b93e88ec2310cf2901fbd8f04ab2e6-4.html#unique-entry-id-4
Those present were:
John Ray (RDA)
Gareth Jones, Economic Development Officer, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council. (WPBC)
Gary Fooks, Olympic Legacy Manager.
Julia Long, Marine Development Officer (WPBC)
Neville Copperthwaite, Project Coordinator, Weymouth and Portland Wreck to Reef. (WPWR)
Sean Webb, Director, (WPWR)
Mucus Darler, Director, (WPWR)
Dale Spree, Director, (WPWR)

The meeting was launched with a presentation of our project proposal which was received well. The meeting was viewed as an initial meeting to explore a way forward with regards to funding possibilities for the project.
]]>Revised ship details for the Project Proposal and RDA Meeting report.dave@cocoamedia.co.ukProject2009-02-06T15:46:42+00:00http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/4141d3c0e03ec629863b5acc9d94b9f8-3.html#unique-entry-id-3http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/4141d3c0e03ec629863b5acc9d94b9f8-3.html#unique-entry-id-3The Initial Ship
Discussions are under way with Richard Norris, Head of Operations, Disposal Services Authority, (DSA) to obtain a suitable ship.

There are several ships available at the present time ranging from Type 42 Destroyers to Castle-class Patrol Vessels.

The DSA will assist us with the tendering process later on.

Until any decommissioning has been publicly announced by the DSA details of any ship cannot be discussed.]]>Team Dorset...dave@cocoamedia.co.ukPress2009-01-29T09:52:13+00:00http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/de028e03d215fa6cc68402fa7bd41a9f-2.html#unique-entry-id-2http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/de028e03d215fa6cc68402fa7bd41a9f-2.html#unique-entry-id-2Our project is now featured on the new official Team Dorset website.

You can view the article, ‘Team Dorset backs Wreck to Reef Project’ by clicking on the link below:

http://www.teamdorset.co.uk/item201]]>BBC News Videodave@cocoamedia.co.ukPress2009-01-28T14:59:14+00:00http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/a79aefb58c302b07a3a302f9e2f9ef0a-1.html#unique-entry-id-1http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/a79aefb58c302b07a3a302f9e2f9ef0a-1.html#unique-entry-id-1As part of the momentum building around the press coverage for the project the BBC have posted their recently broadcast footage to their website.

This can be viewed by clicking on the following link:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7856346.stm]]>BBC News Coveragedave@cocoamedia.co.ukPress2009-01-28T12:45:09+00:00http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/0a3fad749596735a6762d8f7f38a85b3-0.html#unique-entry-id-0http://www.wrecktoreef.co.uk/blog/files/0a3fad749596735a6762d8f7f38a85b3-0.html#unique-entry-id-0The project has received an increasing amount of press coverage recently.

The latest article from the BBC News website can be seen by clicking here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/7855967.stm]]>