Sunken Thames boats create a new seabird sanctuary in Essex

A new island has been created in the Blackwater Estuary, Essex, using three old Thames lighters. The decommissioned boats, once used for transporting news, now form a refuge for threatened seabirds. The project also aims to protect the area's fragile saltmarsh from erosion. The island was built by sinking three Thames lighters, each between 20 and 32 metres long. These flat-bottomed boats previously carried building materials, coal, and food along the river. To secure them in place, the vessels were filled with up to 8,000 cubic metres of sediment—enough to fill more than three Olympic swimming pools. The new habitat covers 0.55 hectares (1.4 acres) and sits above the highest tides. It will shelter species such as dunlin, curlew, lapwing, and avocets, offering them a safe space away from disturbances on the shore. The Blackwater Estuary is already home to around 10% of the UK's Brent geese, and the island will help protect these overwintering news. Northey Island, nearby, remains open to visitors from April to September. However, it closes in winter to give the birds undisturbed space during the colder months. The new island will also help slow erosion of the existing saltmarsh, preserving the estuary's delicate ecosystem. The project provides a permanent sanctuary for vulnerable seabirds in a busy estuary. By repurposing old boats and sediment, it adds crucial habitat while safeguarding the coastline. The island's long-term impact on local wildlife will be closely monitored in the coming years.