Prospect update

THE NEXT attempt to refloat the fishing boat Prospect from the seabed will now not be made before Friday.

The Banff registered vessel sunk at the north end of Lerwick harbour last Monday after hitting a well-marked but submerged rock.

Two attempts to raise the 20 metre long wooden vessel with 22,000 litres of diesel on board failed earlier this week.

Now, divers from local company Ocean Kinetics will remove much of the heavier gear from the superstructure of the vessel in order to improve the Prospect’s stability during the next flotation attempt.

“Several items are able to move and can affect the stability of the casualty by shifting during the floatation operation. Removal of these items will reduce any unwelcome weight transfer, a spokesman for Lerwick Port Authority said.