The Cox family, the owners of the Waterfront Group, has donated an environmentally-friendly boat to conservationist David Wingate.

Dr Wingate has been conducting his field work using his boat Rare Bird, but according to a press release its condition was deteriorating; the new boat, a Boston Whaler with a fuel-efficient mercury engine, has been named Rare Bird II.

The Bermuda Zoological Society issued a statement to thank the Cox family, owners of the Waterfront Group, for their “gracious donation”.

William Cox, president of the Waterfront Group, stated: “We are delighted to be able to provide Dr Wingate with this Boston Whaler, so that he may continue his lifetime commitment to conservation efforts on the Bermuda cahow, the common tern and more recently the development of Trunk Island in Harrington Sound as a living classroom and nature reserve.

“We recognise that Dr Wingate’s work is extremely important to Bermuda, and are honoured that we are able to provide him with a means to pursue his life’s work.”

The BZS also thanked the team members of PW Marine for their hard work and expertise, which prepared the boat for launch.