8000 boats predicted to be lost to winter weather

Haven Knox-Johnston, the boat insurer, has estimated that more than 8000 boats have suffered substantial damage or been written off as a result of the winter flooding – and 500 damaged on Thames alone.

The hotspots for the damage are the Medway, Thames and some coastal areas of Cornwall, Dorset and Sussex.

Haven said that typical claims included those arising from hull damage from fluctuating water levels and submergence.

Within the Thames area the insurer predicted that as many as 500 of its clients boats had been damaged or written off.

Antony James of Haven said: “I suspect the damage would have been far worse had it not been for the quick thinking of the local communities in the affected areas. Everyone worked together and in many cases, executed fantastic disaster management strategies.”

Read article at Motor Boats Monthly – click here