Filmed during Amber’s residency in North Shields (1986–1991), this late 1980s footage captures the launch of a boat built by a shipyard worker on the Meadow Well Estate using materials salvaged from the yard. The boat’s narrow design was dictated by the space between the houses where it was constructed, a constraint that did little to improve its stability on the water. The event was filmed with a speculative documentary approach, featuring Amber actor Ray Stubbs inspecting the boat and assisting with the launch, reflecting the group’s interest in blending real-life moments with their narrative work.

Had the footage been incorporated into a drama, scripted scenes would have been shot to integrate with the documentary material, a technique seen in Shooting Magpies through its use of the Queen’s Jubilee visit to Easington. Amber member Pat McCarthy carried out the launch of the Rio Delta, marking the occasion with bottles of champagne and beer.