With cleaner waters a hot topic, organisations have been coming together to see how our marine industry can do its bit to tackle air and water pollution across the South Hams.

As part of its promise to protect the environment and boost the local economy, South Hams District Council has been working with local marine businesses, harbour authorities and industry experts to help move away from fossil fuel to electric power on the water.

At an electric propulsion workshop on 18 October at South Devon College Marine Academy, Cllr John Birch, Executive Member for Economic Development said: “We want to see our local marine economy thrive and embrace the future of electric power. It is so important that businesses stay ahead of the curve when it comes to cleaner technologies; this is the future, and we want everyone on the journey with us.”

The workshop also heard from Salcombe Harbour Authority who talked about its plans to electrify the Council’s fleet of vessels, including the trial of an electric water taxi and RIB.

There are many projects the Council is delivering to help to reduce carbon emissions and pollution along the District’s coast.

Following its successful vessel recycling project at Creekside Boatyard in Dartmouth, the Council is now looking to upscale its work in tackling the issue of abandoned boats across the District.

It recently partnered with the Royal Yachting Association’s environmental programme, The Green Blue to seek the marine communities’ views on electric propulsion.

It is also working with The Carbon Trust to create a toolkit that will measure the carbon footprint for all boat users in Salcombe Harbour, as well as its own fleet of vessels.

Cllr John McKay, South Hams District Council’s Executive Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity said: “The only way we can tackle climate change is by working together.

“We want to protect our beautiful waterways here in the South Hams so that future generations can enjoy our coastal areas and rivers for many years to come – these projects will certainly help to do just that.”