No damage found after salmon workboat broke free of moorings

A SALMON workboat was recovered from a shingle beach at Gonfirth after coming free of her moorings during windy weather on Monday night.

The 12m catamaran Samphrey, used by Scottish Sea Farms, had drifted bow-first onto the beach.

She was spotted by staff the following morning, who successfully towed the boat back to safety.

Scottish Sea Farms’ area manager for Gonfirth and Ronas Voe John Blance said: “During Monday night’s strong northerly winds, which resulted in rough seas within the voe, one of three workboats – the 12m catamaran, the Samphrey – broke from its moorings.

“Fortunately, the vessel drifted bow-first onto the fine shingle beach, where it lay until the farm team arrived for shift early the next morning.

“The relevant people were notified and the Samphrey was successfully towed back out to safety using a combination of 15m catamaran, the Comet, and smaller polar boat, the Polar Bear.

“Thereafter, an internal inspection was carried out and no damage to the vessel was found.”