Plans floated to make mayoral barge ship-shape

Hull Training, an arm of Hull Council, is putting 20 apprentice engineers to work for the next 24 months on the project and are asking for specialist help and materials.

The idea of launching the vessel was championed by former mayor, Coun Colin Inglis, who wanted to use the steel hull of a boat, which has been gathering dust in a council depot for years, to celebrate the centenary in 2014.

The Skills Funding Agency is funding the apprenticeships, which will cover trades including joinery, shipbuilding and marine engineering, so there should not be a cost to the local taxpayer.

A council spokeswoman said: “The funding for the apprentices is coming from the Skills Funding Agency, but the bit they are missing is some of the specialist skills and a small amount of materials to make it work. They are hoping to start work in the next few months so the Lord Mayor will be able to sail down the Humber in it in 2014.”

An appeal has now gone out to Team Humber Marine Alliance members, which represent 160 companies in sectors ranging from commercial shipping to renewables.

The barge, designed by Bruce Roberts-Goodson, needs cosmetic work and internal strengthening. The superstructure needs completing and a marine engine needs to be installed.

The vessel would be operated by the city’s Sea Cadets, with ownership remaining with the cadets’ honorary president - the Mayor - so it could be sold if its running costs become a problem in the future.

Apprentices at Hull Training have already built six and sold them for more than double the production costs.

The council is looking at making up to 240 people redundant and Coun Phil Webster said there was no cash available for the project, given the state of the authority’s finances.

He said: “It’s a worthwhile project but it is right there at the bottom of our priorities at the moment. How would you justify spending on this at time when people face losing their jobs?”

The mayor also holds the title of Admiral of the Humber and traditionally greets major vessels docking in the city. Although the 100th Lord Mayor Danny Brown has already been installed, the centenary of the mayoralty will be celebrated on June 26, 2014, which is 100 years after the letters patent creating the title of Lord Mayor passed the Great Seal.