While I was at Canvey Island last Friday, I walked along the
footpath at Smallgains Creek that runs beside the Marina. This place is a photographer’s dream, because
the visual images are so rich with texture and colour, and for the marine
photographer it is astonishing. Rarely can there be such a dump-yard of dying
and dead boats*, and in between and around, there are hives of activity with
people working on ‘projects’ – I call them projects, as some are nothing more
than fantasies. Don’t get me wrong, because there are other very sound and
excellent craft at the Marina, the sort that can be admired and valued by their
owners.
I have no doubt that people who keep boats there, and those
who live aboard them, love the atmosphere, with its apparent lack of regulation
and freedom to create ones own lifestyle, though I suspect there are rigid
rules and regulations; for example, where to dispose of trash and where to
assemble in case of emergency, such as if a fire were to occur. I spoke to the
harbourmaster who described his domain as a ‘do-it-yourself’ place, and as an
afterthought he told me that to the best of his knowledge no murders had been
committed there so far. I feel he must
be a very resourceful person who can manage ‘his’ community with tact and
sensitivity and at the same time he must be very good at arranging practical aspects
of running a harbour. Boats have to be launched and retrieved; when being laid-up
ashore, they must be set up safely; piled walkways have to be maintained; mooring
and storage fees have to be collected; toilets must be cleaned and a close
watch must be kept on all happenings– especially as the site is not secure.
*Smallgains Marina Graveyard (Click 7 photos from the right
to see dead and dying boats)
Other Links
Halcon Marine – Smallgains Marina
Smallgains Marina
Boat Launch - Smallgains Marina
Sail the Net.com – Halcon Marina
Halcon Marine
Visit My Harbour.com – Canvey Area
Boating Water Sports - Smallgains Marina
Prince Edward’s Visit to Smallgains Marina in 2008
2 comments:
Smallgains Marina sounds like an interesting place!
What I find interesting here is that the boat in the first photograph looks very much like a New Zealand designed 'Camelot' motorsailer of about 36' designed by NZs Bob Stewart. There were quite a number of these built in the 1960s. Despite being a 'motorsailer' they were popular because they in fact sailed very well. They are big and commodious and make very good live aboard boats.
Do you have any idea of the design Bill?
Alden,
There is a similarity. This one is concrete, but I do not know what class of yacht she is.
Cheers,
Bill.
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