News / Another Prospect refloating attempt fails
A THIRD attempt to refloat the Banff registered fishing boat Prospect was abandoned on Saturday morning.
Lerwick Port Authority, local marine engineering company Ocean Kinetics and the boat’s insurers will meet on Monday to discuss their next steps.
The 20 metre wooden vessel sank 12 days ago at the north end of Lerwick harbour after hitting a well-marked submerged rock.
No one was injured. The skipper was breathalysed by police after the accident but was found not to be over the limit.
The fishing boat with 22,000 litres of fuel in her tanks lies in 15 metres of water just outside the navigational channel.
Work to salvage the Prospect has been ongoing all week with two failed attempts to refloat her on Monday and Tuesday.
Since then divers have removed heavy gear from the superstructure in a bid to stabilise her during the refloating operation.
On Saturday morning camera teams and a few onlookers gathered near the port’s reclaimed land north of the Greenhead Base in the hope of witnessing the Prospect re-emerging from below the waves.
However, the operation was cancelled after two hours when air started escaping from the huge flotation bags attached to the vessel.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
