A mysterious spate of sinkings along a remote stretch of the River Yare has prompted growing concern from the Broads Authority (BA), as costs mount and investigators struggle to find answers.
Six vessels have already sunk this year, including two within weeks of each other in the same three-mile section between Reedham and the Berney Arms. The unusual pattern of incidents has sparked comparisons with the infamous Bermuda Triangle – the area of the Atlantic Ocean known for the unexplained disappearances of ships and aircraft.
Despite extensive surveys, including by specialist dive teams, BA officers say they are no closer to understanding why so many boats are going down.
“While we have started to pinpoint where they are, we can’t say why,” says Rob Rogers, director of operations at the BA. “Maybe it is because it is a large river and it is easier to hide them there. But it is a growing problem.”
A heavy burden on the Broads Authority
The financial burden of these incidents is also increasing. Two of the wrecks, including a 66ft houseboat named La Bergere, are currently being recovered by contractors using military-grade floats and cranes. The cost of salvaging just these two vessels is estimated at £72,000.
La Bergere poses particular difficulties. The boat, which has a steel hull filled with concrete, sank in January near Polkey’s Mill, a 19th-century drainage mill on the riverbank. It has rolled onto its side, partly blocking the channel and releasing debris into the water.
“As someone previously lived on board, there is so much debris flowing out of the wreck,” Rogers says. “Cleaning it up is an expensive business.”
Officials are seeking to recover the salvage costs from the boat owners or their insurance providers. However, the BA has warned that if these costs cannot be reclaimed, they may fall to toll-payers, prompting fears of a rise in navigation fees.
A worrying trend
The two current recoveries follow a February incident in which a 39ft yacht sank near the mouth of Breydon Water, also close to the Berney Arms. Like La Bergere, the yacht had been insured and met all safety regulations, adding to the mystery.
In total, six vessels have gone down in the Yare this year. Four have already been recovered by BA staff at a cost of £4,200, but others remain submerged and pose a hazard to other river users.
Data from recent years shows a steep rise in the number of wrecks on the Broads. In 2020, only four boats sank. By 2023, that figure had jumped to 19, and the following year 28 vessels had to be recovered. Each recovery typically costs the authority around £4,000.
The BA has acknowledged that the greatest risk comes from vessels without a safety certificate, valid toll, or proper insurance. In response, it has been working to identify at-risk boats and is exploring ways to encourage owners to remove or repair them before they become wrecks.
Proposals for a boat amnesty
The ongoing crisis has prompted fresh debate over a potential “boat amnesty” – a scheme that would allow owners to dispose of poorly maintained vessels without penalty. The idea was discussed at a recent BA meeting as a way to prevent more wrecks and reduce the strain on the authority’s navigation budget.
Members also called for stricter rules to ensure that boat owners are properly insured, particularly for salvage operations. Without such cover, the costs fall to the public, further burdening the already stretched resources of the BA.
A spokesperson said: “The recovery and disposal of sunken vessels is an increasing burden on resources and the Authority’s navigation budget. The largest potential risk is from boats that are poorly maintained and lack certification or insurance.”
A stretch shrouded in myth
The area between Reedham and Berney Arms, though remote and beautiful, has now acquired a darker reputation. Some locals have taken to calling it the “Bermuda Triangle of the Broads” – half-jokingly attributing the rise in wrecks to supernatural forces.
While most experts believe the real culprits are more likely to be human error, severe weather, or hidden structural issues in older boats, the stretch of river is rapidly becoming known for its hazards.
The BA has warned boaters to exercise extreme caution while travelling in the area, especially as salvage work continues. Dive teams are expected to remain in place until mid-April, operating between 7am and 5pm daily.
In the meantime, the mystery remains unsolved – and expensive.
This article is adapted from four reports by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
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