The Humber Barge 98 has been a fixture in Brighton Marina for almost 30 years
(Picture: Boatshed.com)A 95-foot landmark barge could be yours for free — if you can get it out of Brighton Marina.
The 102-year-old Humber barge 98 is being given away on Boatshed.com to a suitable owner who — crucially — will be able to transport the enormous boat elsewhere. As the listing puts it: “she cannot remain!”
Covering around 320m² (3,444 sq ft) and set over two levels, the barge has a “cavernous interior” with three large, multi-functional spaces, a galley, office area, four toilets and plenty of storage.
Now “one of Brighton’s famous local landmarks”, the barge has had several reincarnations in its century of existence. Built in 1921, it enjoyed a long and industrious career transporting grain along northern England’s waterways – until it was moved south to Brighton Marina in 1996 and converted into a floating Chinese restaurant called The Pagoda.
The restaurant remained afloat until 2016, when the boat was sold and turned into a non-profit community and youth hub by the marina owners. It has been managed by arts and environmental charity O N C A, who moved out of the barge at the end of last year.
“The end of our time on the beloved barge has come much too soon for us,” wrote O N C A in a blog post. “We are deeply grateful to the beautiful boat itself for being a truly magical container for all this magnificent living and learning that we’ve been privileged to experience on and with O N C A Barge.”
They added: “The sale and removal of the Barge will leave a big gap at the marina – and for Brighton overall – in terms of diverse heritage, community and cultural provision.”
According to Tim Kingston, the broker at Boatshed.com, the barge is being given away as there are new plans for the area. “The barge is almost exactly 100 years old, so one day she’s going to need some serious attention. She needs maintenance at the moment — but essentially she doesn’t fit in with Brighton Marina’s vision for the future, so now is the time to find her a new home.”
The boat was listed on Rightmove last year and, according to Kingston, received considerable attention. To expedite the boat’s removal from the marina, however, they decided to advertise it for free. “To assist people in moving the boat and allowing them to put in the investment needed, we decided to let someone take her away for free - bearing in mind that whoever does take her away has the plan, finances and resources to make sure that she has a fair and appropriate new use.”
The question of who gets the boat will be decided by the vendors, who are looking for someone who will put it to good use. “The barge has been a very familiar landmark for many years in the marina. People still love the sight of her, and there has been a public show of affection in her move,” Kingston explains.
“Her current owners are sympathetic towards making sure that, as a historical vessel, she is given a good home. It’s more than likely that she will go towards a housing project, or many people have expressed an interest in using her as a floating business venue, such as offices or a small manufacturing or cottage industry venue.”
There is an open day for prospective owners on Friday, who will then have to submit their plans for the barge for the sellers to decide.
Given the boat’s age, she “needs attention”, as the listing puts it. But, according to Kingston, the metallic structure of the boat is in good condition, with the exterior cosmetics, particularly a wooden structure fitted on top of the boat, requiring most work.
He explains: “She’s a very straightforward structure, but really she could do with being taken out of the water, re-preserved and placed back in, ready for her new life – which could be a very long one if she’s looked after.”
According to a recent surveyor’s estimate, repairs will cost between £30,000 and £40,000, while moving the boat could be £5,000 to £10,000, depending on its final location. Although the barge is free, it will require a £1,000 refundable deposit, for “the purposes of due diligence for contract completion”.
The boat has no engine, but Kingston says that it can be towed to a new location and that the marina will work “hand in hand” with the new owner to relocate it.
Inside, the boat’s enormous floor space is advertised as being easily adaptable, with two toilets, an office with large bay windows, a bar area and the largest of the event spaces on the top deck. Downstairs, the space is split into two large rooms, one of which was The Pagoda’s former kitchen.
“She has a very, very large interior space that is currently a nice, pleasant place to be. She has emergency systems fitted; she’s electrically fitted; she’s floating and, in theory, can be moved to any suitable berth,” says Kingston.
“She represents a piece of history for Brighton and she’s been around for 100 years. We just want to make sure that that long history isn’t lost and that she’s put to good use in the future.”
