It is set to play a vital role in helping to keep a harbour's waters clear of pollution.
A new trash-eating hybrid vessel has been welcomed at ABP’s Port of Lowestoft.
And after being delivered to the port, the new workboat has been aptly named by a Lowestoft primary school pupil following a competition.
With the Gannet unveiled as the port's "newest and most sustainable, multi-purpose workboat," a Port of Lowestoft spokesman said: "The craft’s principal function is to support the efficient collection of litter, debris and aquatic vegetation from the water surface, and it will play a vital role in helping to keep Lowestoft Harbour and Lake Lothing clear of pollution."
However, the Gannet’s sustainability contribution to the Port of Lowestoft will extend beyond the collecting of litter.
With it being hybrid-powered, it also has a solar-panelled roof generating green electricity and is made from recycled aluminium, which can be recycled again at the end of its life.
After an ABP-sponsored school competition, a Year 3 pupil from Woods Loke Primary School in Lowestoft came up with the chosen name.
The pupil said: "I chose this name because this bird often gets caught in plastic pollution.
"I thought the boat could catch the rubbish instead of the rubbish catching the bird."
The name also follows the Port of Lowestoft's tradition in using bird names to name new equipment at the port.
The vessel’s developers – Water Witch – are a Liverpool-based, family-owned business.
Our latest #trashskimmer delivered to Port of Lowestoft. She has been named ‘Gannet’,
— WaterWitch Marine Pollution Solutions (@LWWworkboats) March 6, 2023
The child named her said:
“I chose this name because this bird often gets caught in plastic pollution. I thought the boat could catch the rubbish instead of the rubbish catching the bird.” pic.twitter.com/W7VxdF98vB
The Gannet is their Versi-Cat Trash Skimmer, and was delivered to the Port of Lowestoft last week to function as the port's new primary work boat.
ABP’s Tom Duit, Operations Manager at ABP’s Port of Lowestoft said: "The Gannet will play a vital role in helping us with the clearance of litter that regularly cumulates in the harbour."
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