The Dolphin Project

Aim: Converting a beautiful old wooden boat called Dolphin into a renewable energy powered launch for use by the community to experience nature.

Hello, I'm Gary, founder of Till the Coast is Clear, a Community Interest Company specialising in clearing plastic pollution from the South Devon coast. Six years and 25,000kgs of plastic pollution later, we now have over one hundred volunteers & several other community & nature regeneration projects up & running, the latest of which is The Dolphin Project.

The Dolphin Project 

The Dolphin Project is an ambitious community initiative, centred around the transformation of a beautiful, but tired, old wooden, diesel motor cruiser, into a future focused, renewable energy powered eco tourism and educational vessel for use by the local community.

Dolphin is a 26ft timber hulled motor cruiser which until recently was moored on the Kingsbridge - Salcombe estuary. She was built in 1962 in Peterborough by W. Lee & Sons who also built lifeboats for the RNLI. She is constructed in clinker planked Pitch Pine on Oak framing & was originally named Dolphin of Harty.

Dolphin will be operated and managed by the community project and as such, will be available to be used and enjoyed by everyone for a multitude of purposes, centred around contact with nature, education, inspiration and fun. 

The project has attracted an incredible team of volunteers & professional experts all keen to see Dolphin back on the water & once again looking its best. The team includes traditional boats builders, a yacht surveyor, engineers & boat restoration experts as well as a great team of general volunteers involved  

Dolphin was lifted out of the Salcombe - Kingsbridge estuary & trucked to its new home at Yeowards boat yard at Cholwells Farm in November 2023

Subject to funding, it is hoped that Dolphin will be equipped with a submersible camera & lighting array so that live footage of the estuaries incredible flora and fora can be viewed onboard and via live fed to schools and university partners, thus dramatically opening up awareness of what exists in the nature reserve. 

Most privately owned vessels in the area spend 95% of their time moored or shoreside over winter and despite the fact there are hundreds of them, only a minority of the local community have access to a boat. The Dolphin Project will provide the opportunity for anyone to experience being on the water surrounded by nature*. 

*Please Note: Whilst every effort will be made to maximise access, regrettably, it is unlikely that full disabled access will be possible as part of this project. 

Why Support the Project

• You, your friends & family will be able to voyage on Dolphin to experience the stunning scenery & wildlife on the Salcombe - Kingsbridge estuary, a nature reserve, site of special scientific interest within South Devon National Landscape
• Gliding silently with no wake & no engine emissions up the creeks and into the quite coves of the estuary surrounded by nature is a truly magical experience, this project will enable many more people to connect with their surroundings & their community.
• Be a part of the legacy of this beautiful, traditionally built craft, Dolphin has a rich history of making people smile & was a real head turner back in the day.
•  Traditional boat building & carpentry skills combined with the latest technology will be used in the refurbishment, keeping these practices alive is really important.
• There is a genuine need for an environmental and community centred initiative in this beautiful & rapidly evolving area of Devon which is increasingly popular amongst seasonal visitors and new residents seeking a quieter life closer to nature, everyone will be in the same boat on this & able to enjoy what Dolphin will offer. 
• An opportunity to support a very visual & practical solution to the current inequality of access to the local nature reserve using exciting new environmentally appropriate technology.
• Spreading the costs & labour requirements of the project across multiple partners combined with crowd funding & volunteers ensures the project represents good value & maximises community connections.

Thank you very much for your support, we are currently very fortunate to be on triple match funding through the generosity of the Devon Environment Foundation & The Aviva Community Fund. Every £ donated = £3 :)

Dolphin's interior stripped out & ready for the next exciting stages. 

For more information on what Till the Coast is Clear is all about please use the link below. Thank you!

                                                       Till The Coast is Clear