They have so far discovered 25 abandoned boats
A number of shipwrecks are being cleared from along the Exe Estuary, in order to improve navigation and prevent environmental damage.
Council harbour patrollers have started clearing the wrecks, as they're said to represent a danger to users of the water and wildlife.
They have so far discovered 25 abandoned boats.
Cllr David Harvey, Lead Councillor for City Management and Environment, said the estuary needed to be clear of hazards so that everyone could use the water safely.
He added: "We do everything possible to locate the owners of these wrecks so that they can be lifted out of the Exe and disposed of responsibly.
“However it is not always possible to locate the owners and we have to take the matter into our own hands. Wrecked vessels can be a hazard to other boats using the Exe and if left to decay can break up, leaking oil and petrol into the water, which can be fatal to wildlife.”
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