Brixham set to store giant barges

The vessels have four giant legs which extend down to stand on the sea floor

Brixham Harbour could soon be the temporary home of unusual large new visitors.

Councillors are recommending allowing giant jack-up barges to be stored there when not in use.

The request came from marine contractor Fugro, which operates a fleet of the huge barges used for site investigations, drilling and construction projects.

The vessels have four giant legs which extend down to stand on the sea floor,  supporting a moveable deck to carry out operations above the waves.

The same type of barge was used in the construction of the new Oxen Cove shellfish jetty at Brixham, which has now been completed.

Torbay Council’s harbour committee is recommending the harbour accepts the vessels for a trial period until April.

There has been some concern that people might consider the huge industrial barges  as an eyesore.

But the council’s interim director of place Kevin Mowat said some would see them as an attraction.

He said: “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There are people who like looking at these things – I’m one of them.” 

Harbour master Adam Parnell said there would be room for one or two of the barges which would bring in revenue to the harbour.

Brixham councillor Mike Morey said one would be enough.

He said: “I don’t think we can get away from the fact that it’s a working port. 

“Personally I wouldn’t like to see more than one there at a time – that would be overpowering.”

The barges would be ‘laid up’ in the harbour between jobs, but would be lit up with navigation lights to avoid causing a hazard.

The committee agreed to offer the harbour for use by the company for a trial period until April, so the use could be reviewed.

It was unclear how often the harbour would be used, as it depended on whether there were contracts in the area for the vessels.