'Harbour Hoover' installed to clean Guernsey marina's waters

Friday, 23 August 2024 13:15

A floating bin has been installed in the Victoria Marina to collect rubbish and protect the island’s marine environment.

Rotary Guernesiais has collaborated with Guernsey Ports to buy the PortBin.

The device can filter 147 cubic metres of water per hour, and collect up to five litres of rubbish every day.

It will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and be emptied by the Guernsey Harbour staff.

Rotary President Helen Salisbury says the idea is to remove materials before they break down into microplastics and enter the food chain.

"In an ideal world we wouldn't need a PortBin because we would all be using sustainable things and single use plastics wouldn't exist, but that's not our world.

So we are thrilled to have been able to purchase this device to make a real difference to our harbour waters."

She says the device won't harm marine life.

"Fish naturally won't go towards the vortex created by the device, they will swim away, it's not a problem for them.

This is tried and tested equipment that is installed in various ports and harbours across the UK and Europe."

@islandfm Guernsey’s first PortBin has been installed in Victoria Marina! 🗑️🌊🐟 Speaking: Rotary Guernesiais President Helen Salisbury #guernsey #nature #portbin #channelislands #sea #litter ♬ original sound - Island FM

The first device has been names Hugo by eight-year-old Olivia, who won a naming competition.

Helen hopes, through sponsorship, more PortBins will be installed around the Bailiwick.

"This is really innovative, Norwegian technology that is really efficient and last for years and years, but unfortunately the initial investment is quite a lot, so we will rely on local investment.

We hope to have up to nine around Guernsey in the future."

The PortBins cost £7,800 each.