In April this year Picton Marina said farewell to the hull of the scow ‘Echo’, which had sat aground in the marina to the North of the Coathanger Bridge since 1972.

Built in 1905 and bought by Eckfords of Blenheim around 1920, the AS Echo remained in their service for more than forty years. From there, she moved to Picton and was used as clubrooms for the Marlborough Cruising Club, until converted to a privately-owned restaurant/museum.

Increasing dilapidation, maintenance and consenting issues led to her sale to Port Marlborough last year. Sadly, engineering and shipwrights’ surveys confirmed that the structure had deteriorated beyond recovery, so she has been salvaged, with some parts curated at the Marlborough Museum and Brayshaw Park. A memorial site has also been established near to her old berth on the Opawa River, in Blenheim.

Marlborough Sounds Marinas is currently exploring options for her former Picton Marina berth.