News Archive

Commendations for Boarhunt Recovery
January 2010 radianhomes

During the recent prolonged winter weather the recovery team worked far beyond the call of duty. This was recognised by many customers from whom countless calls and emails were received regarding the department’s amazing achievements during the difficult and challenging conditions.

Most notably the Chief Constable of Hampshire Constabulary thanked Boarhunt for clearing abandoned vehicles on the A3, amongst the staff who assisted was Chairman Robin Doney who got into a recovery vehicle after many years and lent a hand in the snow!

"I am writing to express our gratitude at the way we were all able to work together during the recent problems caused by the snow.

All of your operatives worked really hard in extremely difficult circumstances to safely remove all the abandoned vehicles on the A3 in the shortest time possible. These were challenging times and the resulting operation would not have been the success it was without the dedication and flexibility of your crews who all performed their roles professionally and without complaint to complete the task. My staff have nothing but praise for the way they behaved and were also grateful for their assistance.
I look forward to continuing our successful working relationships in the future."

Commendations were also received from Britannia Rescue, the AA and Green Flag all of whom praised the team for their tireless efforts.

At the recent RAC contractors ball Operations Support Manager Del Morton was presented with an Achievement Award, Robin was given a bottle of champagne for his services on the National Council and Boarhunt received an award for our outstanding contribution during 2009.

No Job Too Big for Boarhunt Heavy Recovery
June 2009 radianhomes

Boarhunt Heavy Recovery recently undertook a never before tried winching operation at the Energy Recovery Facility located at North Quay in Newhaven. The facility is designed to generate electricity from the 210,000 tonnes of residual household waste generated in East Sussex and Brighton and Hove, supplying power equivalent to the energy consumption of more than 16,500 homes. The electricity generated will be fed into the national grid reducing the equivalent amount of non-renewable fossil fuels.

Boarhunt were awarded the project by the main contractor Hochtief and assisted by R D Avery Recovery of Salisbury. During the tendering phase different options and technical solutions were proposed, we were asked to come up with a solution to winch the main building structure into place.

The main building structure (to the right) which is 45 metres square and weighs 7,500 tonnes was constructed parallel to a circular pit. The pit was excavated under water and the main structure floated into the pit using six heavy recovery vehicles complete with operatives which were placed at nominated locations around the main building structure.

The heavy recovery vehicles were driven in to their specific positions one by one and connected to the main building structure on the day prior to the move. This required much ingenuity as the building was now floating so the heavy winch cables were transported to the connection points by boat and crane. After around 8 hours hard work by the team all six vehicles were in place with their winches connected.

When the order was given for the rotator to commence winching on the day of the operation slowly but surely the 4,800 tonne structure began to move, guided and controlled by the remaining five vehicles, the building floated in to place. Apart from some worrying moments when gusts of wind caused the building to “fishtail”, the process was successfully completed in 10 hours.

Heavy Recovery Director, Robert Doney, commented on this remarkable achievement ‘To make any project a success you have to make sure you have the right equipment in the right place at the right time, with the right people operating it properly. The whole team were fantastic, and it shows what can be achieved when we work together.’

Busy Times for Boarhunt Heavy Recovery
February 2009 radianhomes

Early February saw the first real snow that we have had for many years. Along with this came an increase in work, especially accidents and incidents. The first call on the heavy side came in the middle of the night to a tanker stuck on snow near Guildford, unfortunately we were unable to recover this vehicle due to the amount of snow on the roads. The next call was for a jack-knifed artic(1), blocking a country road at Brook near Cadnam.

The weather started to clear for a while but the roads didn’t.

The next call was a 7.5 tonne truck in a ditch at Marchwood(2), we initially attended with a small heavy recovery vehicle but due to the icy conditions he was unable to get any grip and therefore called for one of our larger vehicles, the Foden, seen in picture 2.

Once this vehicle was out, it was onto the next job.

This artic ended up in a field after a head-on accident with a car(3).

We were assisted by R D Avery Recovery with their Foden to remove the casualty from the field(4).

radianhomes The following day the chaos continued, another vehicle slipped off the road at Ropley(5).

After the snow came lots of rain, this lead to flooding and again lots of work.

We used the Foden due to its high fording capabilities, working along the edge of the roadway so we did not end up in the ditch like the casualty vehicle. We also recovered several cars and vans along this stretch of road(6).

radianhomes Lets hope for some more snow!

 

 

 

Boarhunt Recovery Driver aids collapsed pensioner
January 2009

Quick-thinking Boarhunt Recovery driver Kevin Drew, put his newly acquired first-aid skills into action recently by going to the rescue of an elderly woman who had collapsed on the street.

Kevin attended an emergency first-aid course at the beginning of December and just weeks later, whilst recovering a vehicle in Arundel, West Sussex, launched into action to resuscitate an 84-year-old lady who had collapsed in the street.

Kevin explained: “I completed first-aid training a number of years ago but was pleased to be given the opportunity recently to brush up on my skills and learn about emergency first-aid. Had I not attended the course run by Medicot of Fareham, I wouldn’t have known what to do when I saw the lady lying in the street. Once the emergency services arrived I offered to let them take over the resuscitation, but they said I was doing a good job!”

The elderly woman was taken to hospital and remains in a stable condition, whilst Mr Drew, dubbed ‘Christmas hero’ by his work colleagues, is back at work helping broken down vehicles along the South’s busy roads.

 

Boarhunt Chairman Lobbies Government for Safety Improvements
December 2008

Leading local businessman Robin Doney is spearheading a campaign for new legislation to improve the safety of recovery vehicle engineers across the UK.

The campaign, supported by representatives of the AA, RAC and Highways Agency, has been launched following the untimely death of Boarhunt recovery driver Terry Booth, 58, on the A31 near Ringwood, in June of this year.

Robin explained: There has been work ongoing for a number of years to improve the safety standards for recovery operators and their vehicles, but in the light of the tragic circumstances of Terry's passing I am determined to reinvigorate support for the campaign and prove that Terry's death was not in vain.

Robin made an emotional speech at the Recovery Industry Service Charity (RISC) charity ball following the sad circumstances in the summer, and was approached by a number of key figures offering support.

Robin explained: I was overwhelmed by the response of the industry and we are now working very hard as part of the Survive action group to push for red flashing lights, as standard, on the backs of all recovery vehicles. We cannot prove that these would have saved Terry but if it helps prevent such circumstances in the future we must try.

The Government insists that evidence and statistics are required before any further action can take place and the Survive group are in the process of calculating near-misses and other valuable evidence to support their campaign.

Robin explained: It is early days and we know it's going to be a hard slog to change legislation but as Chairman of Boarhunt I have a duty of care to my employees, as do the AA, RAC, Green Flag and other recovery organisations. We are confident and feel very passionately that red flashing lights can prevent accidents and further loss of life.

Ambulances, Fire Engines and Police Cars are all fitted with red lights which flash when the vehicle is stationary, to warn oncoming traffic. Recovery engineers are no less important and they deserve the same protection.

Robin added: A study has already been conducted on the A3 with 70% of traffic responding to red flashing lights on the side of the motorway, compared with limited response to orange lights. Everyone knows red means danger and we are determined prove it to the Government.

Boarhunt purchases new vehicle for £0.5m contract
September 2008

The South’s leading transport specialist Boarhunt continues to invest in its busy haulage division with the purchase of a new heavy haulage vehicle.

The purchase of the 90 tonne low loader has come as a direct result of a new £0.5m NYK and Toyota contract won recently by the Boarhunt team. Boarhunt believes it to be the only such vehicle available on the South Coast.

Chairman Robin Doney is delighted with the developments within the haulage division and said: “Our newly won contract and subsequent purchase of the low loader is really significant to the development of our business and we look forward to the future where we will continue our commitment to build on our firm haulage foundations.”

The 90 tonne low loader measures 25 meters long and can transport an incredible 57 tonnes. A tractor unit has also been purchased for the new vehicle, allowing Boarhunt to expand even further into the specialist heavy haulage market.

Boarhunt has also announced the departure of Managing Director Ian Mulholland from the company by mutual consent. Chairman Robin Doney has returned to the everyday operation of the company.

Senior Boarhunt personnel join London Fuel Protest
July 2008

Ian Mulholland, Managing Director of Fareham-based haulage specialists Boarhunt joined Chairman Robin Doney and Haulage Director David Pushman in London on 2 July, to protest against increasing fuel costs.

The protest to Parliament attracted haulage and transport specialists from around the UK, with convoys of vehicles escorted by police motorcyclists crossing Westminster Bridge. Two Boarhunt vehicles, a 40 foot low loading haulage lorry and a heavy recovery vehicle also took part in the protest.

Ian Mulholland commented: “The increase in fuel prices is having a serious impact on the haulage and recovery industry and we feel we need to make a statement to the government that it cannot continue. Without a dramatic change in government policy a significant number of haulage and recovery businesses will be under serious threat of survival.

Operation Faversham – police name A31 recovery driver
June 2008

Police have named the driver of a recovery lorry who died in a fatal collision on the A31 at Poulner Hill on Thursday, June 12.

He is Terry Booth, 58, an employee of Boarhunt, who lived at Golf Links Road, Ferndown, Dorset.

Mr Booth’s have family released a photograph and statement as follows:

“The family, partner and friends are shocked and deeply saddened at the tragic loss of their beloved Terry Booth.

“Terry was a very proud and dignified man, who was doing his job as a roadside technician with utmost commitment and professionalism. May he rest in peace.”

Managing Director of Boarhunt Ian Mulholland said:

“The directors and staff at Boarhunt would like to convey our shock and deep sadness at the tragic death of our much-valued colleague Terry Booth. Our thoughts are with his family, partner and friends.

“We wish a speedy recovery to the injured driver whose vehicle Terry was attending at the time of his death.”

Mr Booth was in the process of recovering a broken down Peugeot 306 shortly before midnight, when it was in collision with a Chrysler Voyager. The Peugeot was shunted into the verge, bringing the Chrysler into contact with the Renault recovery vehicle and Mr Booth.

The Chrysler driver, a 61-year-old woman from Knottingley, West Yorkshire, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. She was bailed, pending further inquiries, until August 13.

The Peugeot driver, a 49-year-old Bournemouth woman, was released from Southampton General Hospital after treatment for shock and a minor injury.

Anyone with information, who witnessed the collision, or saw the Chrysler prior to it, is asked to contact Sergeant Mal Rigby at the Road Deaths Investigation Team at Eastleigh police station quoting Operation Faversham on 0845 045 45 45 or Crimestoppers, the charity, on 0800 555 111.

Boarhunt increases investment in efficiency
April 2008

Fareham-based Boarhunt, the area’s leading rescue and recovery operator, has recently purchased a new Jerr-Dan side-loading vehicle retriever, which will increase operational efficiency and at the same time, limit the impact on the local community.

The new investment, which uses revolutionary technology to retrieve broken-down and damaged vehicles, is believed to be the first of its kind to be used by a recovery specialist in the UK.

Managing Director of Boarhunt, Ian Mulholland is impressed with the benefits the purchase has already given to Boarhunt and commented: “The side-loading vehicle retriever offers unrivalled benefits which include; retrieving parallel parked vehicles up to four times faster than by using traditional methods, recovering vehicles without the need to actually enter them, therefore eliminating damage. It also uses modern technology to record the recovery, providing proof of damage-free towing.”

He added: “All in all it has already been a massive success for the business, reducing waiting times as well as noise and environmental pollution. We couldn’t be more delighted with the investment made.”

Boarhunt opens new Heavy Recovery Depot
March 2008

Boarhunt has opened a new dedicated depot for its heavy recovery business. The site based at Rownhams Services on the M27 near Southampton, will be used as an operations centre specialising in the rescue and recovery of large commercial vehicles such as articulated trucks, trailers, coaches and large vans.

The new depot means improved efficiency and quicker response times for Boarhunt’s customers, with the convenient motorway location an important factor in the opening of the depot which will work alongside Boarhunt’s other recovery sites in Ferndown, Southampton, Fareham and Portsmouth.

Boarhunt’s Managing Director Ian Mulholland signalled the opening as another important step forward for the recovery operation and said: “We continue to invest heavily in the business and the re-commissioning of the site at Rownhams will be of great benefit to our customers.

We are already seeing much faster response times thanks to the central location on the M27 and we are also delighted at the impact the site has given to our business profile.”

Environmental Award
January 2008

Boarhunt's Haulage Division has recently received the prestigious NYK Group Europe Limited Environmental Haulier of the year award for 2007.

This award reflects the significant investment made by the business in state of the art Euro 5 tractor units and investment in a leading vehicle tracking software package allowing efficient journey management to be achieved. In addition, all tractor units have now been fitted with a market leading Canbus software solution which allows a carbon footprint to be produced for each vehicle, real time MPG performance and a detailed analysis of driver performance allowing Boarhunt to be at the forefront of environmental management in the UK haulage industry.

When presenting the award, Hans de Vink, NYK Europe Chief Environmental Officer commented "I am delighted to see a NYK Europe haulage vendor making such a significant investment in managing its environmental responsibility".

David Pushman, Boarhunt Haulage Director, added "It is a pleasure to receive such an award which recognises our significant business investment".

Major Acquisition
December 2007

Boarhunt, the South Coast's leading rescue and recovery operator, announced the acquisition of the trade and assets of Castle Recovery Limited on 21st December. This acquisition increases the geographic base covered on the south coast by Boarhunt to over 100 miles, stretching from Yeovil to Portsmouth and beyond.

Castle Recovery is a long established rescue and recovery business based in Ferndown, Dorset with additional depots in Southampton and Poole. It adds a fleet of over 30 vehicles to the existing Boarhunt fleet to create one of the UK's largest rescue and recovery businesses.

Boarhunt will grow to over 200 employees with the Castle acquisition with turnover across the three modules of the business targeted to increase to over £13 million.

Smart Thinking
November 2007

Boarhunt, the South Coast's leading rescue and recovery operator, is proving to be the smart choice when it comes to vehicle breakdowns and helping save the planet!

In a radical move, Boarhunt has introduced two Smart cars to its breakdown response fleet, in a bid to reduce customer waiting times by beating the traffic jams and at the same time, saving on ever-rising fuel costs.

The branded Smart cars which are fitted out with all the kit needed to carry out roadside repairs, find it easier to get through narrow streets in rush hour traffic and park close to broken down vehicles - not adding to the congestion chaos!

Mick Puleston, recovery director at Boarhunt, explains: "In a time when helping to combat climate change is so important, these little vehicles are the perfect choice. They are very versatile, can carry a surprising amount of equipment and at the same time help to reduce our carbon emissions."

The Smart cars can do 60 miles on one gallon of fuel, and will no doubt be seen all over the south coast helping motorists in distress.

Boarhunt Expands Its Garage Services Business
October 2007

One of South East Hampshire's best known Businesses has announced planned investment of £150,000 in its Fareham branch. Boarhunt, best known for its recovery and haulage divisions, is starting with a major re-fit and design of its Fareham garage services operation.

The company, who employ 130 people in the area, has expanded its MOT and servicing facilities, for cars and vans, so that up to 20 vehicles can be MOTed, serviced or repaired at any one time.

"Our aim is to change public perception of the local garage", explained Paul Doney, Service Director. "We want our customers to feel welcome and to provide them with a flexible approach to accommodate their busy lifestyles."

"For example we have extended our opening hours; we now open from 8am to midnight, Monday to Friday and 8am to 12.30pm on Saturday and because of our recovery office, which is located on site and open 24 hours a day, customers can collect their vehicles any time of the day or night."

"We have also increased our fleet of courtesy cars and vans to help prevent any inconvenience."

"In today's market place", says Paul, "To meet customers' expectations you need to be friendly, courteous and provide added value services. We offer free collection and delivery within a 10 mile radius as well as the increased fleet of courtesy cars and vans."

"With our future expansion in mind, we are also building new customer reception and waiting areas and larger parking facilities."

"Boarhunt is determined to set the pace and others have to follow."

Boarhunt Garage Services, MOT repair and service vehicles up to 7.5 tonne and are licensed to test Class 4, 5 and 7 vehicles.