An 83ft Dutch barge, which was set to be scrapped, has been given a last minute reprieve.
Described as "fantastic", the Dutch barge - named 'Barge Number 9' - is set to make a welcome return to Lowestoft as it moves to a new mooring.
After being saved by a local couple, who saw the potential and historical value in the almost 100-year-old vessel, they are preparing to breathe new life into the vessel - as they aim to restore it to "her former glory."
Built in The Netherlands in 1928, Barge Number 9 started her early life on the Trent Waterways before joining the Lowestoft fishing fleet.
She went on to become a refuelling tanker, making it through the Second World War as an "essential vessel".
Having spent six years underwater due to bad welding on panelling underneath the engine, the vessel was reberthed and had been a houseboat in Thorpe St Andrew for the past 30 years.
But after hearing that she was due to be scrapped, William Gilroy and Becci Leadbetter rallied round to save the vessel as they bought the 83ft barge.
She is now due be towed from Norwich to Oulton Broad on Tuesday.
Will and Becci said: "It will take around six to eight hours for this 83ft titan to snake around River Yare and join the River Waveney to her new home in Oulton Broad for the repair and restoration work to begin in March.
"This is just phase one of this mammoth task, as once the barge is structurally sound, the real work will begin."
The couple said they felt that "such a magnificent boat needs to be shared with the community" and so, what better way to do this "than to open a static tearoom with two floors and a roof terrace by day, and a nautical bar and restaurant by night."
Community call
As they aim to restore the 1928 Dutch Barge "back to its former glory in Oulton Broad", they added: "This will not just be any normal project - we hope it will be a community project for anybody that wishes to get involved and volunteer any amount of their time."
Mr Gilroy said: "If anybody wants to volunteer, skilled or unskilled, hands on or general advice, you are more than welcome to get in touch to help us get the barge up and running within our three to five-year timescale."
Becci Leadbetter added: "This barge has been through so much and has so much history, we would hate to see it rust away.
"We have big plans for it and hope to get a lot of people involved."
Visit its Facebook page - Dutch Barge Preservation and Community Project Group - or email William.gilroy83@hotmail.co.uk for further information.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here