Spencer Group celebrates the reopening of Hull’s iconic Spurn Lightship
The Spurn Lightship will once again offer residents and visitors the chance to experience a vital piece of Hull’s maritime story
THEY were joined by representatives from Hull City Council, along with project partners and sponsors, to celebrate the successful completion of the ship’s restoration works.
Built in 1927, the vessel has played a key role in the city’s rich maritime history, having guided ships through the Humber Estuary for almost fifty years prior to it becoming a floating museum on the Hull Marina in 1987.
The ship has been closed to the public since 2018 and was officially reopened on the 7th of March after undergoing major restoration works undertaken as part of the Hull Maritime Project.
As part of the restoration works, Spencer Group were appointed by Hull City Council to design and deliver a wet dock facility for the iconic vessel, providing it with a permanent home just a few hundred yards from the company’s headquarters in the north-west corner of Hull Marina, near to the Murdoch Connection footbridge.
The Spencer Group team oversaw the design, supply and installation of five berthing piles, fitted with fenders and mooring points having previously carried out dredging of the berthing area. They also designed and installed a steel access walkway, supported by land-based concrete foundations that ensure safe and convenient access to the lightship.
Spencer worked with its trusted delivery partners, Humber Workboats Ltd, B&A Scaffolding, Riley Engineering and A.J. Engineering to deliver the project.
Despite the constraints of a tight working environment, the team successfully delivered the new wet dock facility within 7 months and through close collaboration with Hull City Council, were able to complete the project with minimal disruption to marina operations, helping deliver a long-lasting attraction the city can enjoy for years to come.
With all restoration works now complete, achieved through successful collaboration between the client and other partners involved in the project, the Spurn Lightship museum is now equipped with brand new projections, film and immersive sound and graphics, allowing visitors to explore the lightship and its rich maritime story in more depth.
Further supporting the Hull Maritime Project, Spencer Group is currently delivering critical marine and civil engineering works at the North End Shipyard as part of a £1.9 million project to preserve one of Hull’s most historically significant fishing vessels, the Arctic Corsair, on behalf of Hull Esteem Consortium LEP.
Spencer Group are designing and installing a new 15-metre wide, 50-tonne dock gate to replace the deteriorated original structure. Once installed and sealed behind a reinforced concrete block, the new gate will transform the disused dock into a dedicated heritage berth for the vessel.
Since its founding in Hull in 1989 by Executive Chairman Charlie Spencer, Spencer Group has been deeply rooted in the local community. By combining local knowledge with strong connections and engineering expertise, the company continues to play a vital role in projects that preserve Hull’s maritime heritage, ensuring these historic vessels and landmarks remain a meaningful part of the city for generations to come.
Councillor Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council, said:
“The opening of the Spurn Lightship is an exciting new chapter for the vessel and marks the start of an incredible year for Hull, celebrating the city’s rich maritime heritage.
“The Spurn Lightship will once again offer residents and visitors the chance to experience a vital piece of Hull’s maritime story, preserved with care and authenticity so that stepping aboard feels like visiting a working lightship.
“Visitors will be able to explore and experience its unique character and celebrate the vital role it has played in keeping our coastline safe.”
