Rosy Sets Sail
The RSPB have taken possession of a new amphibious boat for their Coquet Island wardens.
The new boat is called Rosy, named after Rosemary, a generous RSPB supporter who helped fund its purchase.
The new amphibious boat can be driven on the island.
The name is also a nod to the Roseate Terns, affectionately known as ‘Rosies’.
Coquet Island is home to the only UK breeding colony of these beautiful and endangered seabirds, so it is a fitting name for the boat.
Rosy is a Sealegs 7.1, a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) with a unique amphibious design. It has an aluminium hull, inflatable tubes, and three hydraulically powered wheels, meaning it can drive on land as well as water. This allows it to land directly on the beach at Coquet Island and the boat can be kept safely onshore during low tide.
RSPB Warden Rebekah Goodwill explained: “Access to Coquet Island has always been a challenge, currently we can only land three hours either side of high tide.
But with Rosy as we can drive onto the island, so we can increase the time on the island in the winter months helping us have more time to undertake essential reserve work.
Rosy is a larger boat as well, so she allows us to transport more people and equipment in fewer trips. With the increased size she provides more stability in the water making the journey from Coquet Yacht Club and Amble Marina safer.”
