Ocean Challenge skipper says damage ‘fairly minimal’ after incident off Whalsay
THE SKIPPER of the Ocean Challenge has thanked everyone who came to their aid after the whitefish trawler ran aground yesterday (Wednesday) morning.
Steven Hughson said the damage to the boat, which operates out of Skerries, “looks fairly minimal considering the circumstances”.
“We’ve been lucky, and we’re thankful for it,” he said.
“Repairs will be required, and these will hopefully begin shortly in Peterhead, subject to approval from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.”
Hughson and his crew publicly thanked the Serene for towing them off the rocks off the coast of Whalsay, and the crews of the Havara and Avrella for standing by.
They also thanked the Lerwick lifeboat volunteers “for a speedy and professional response to our call for help.”
The 28-metre Ocean Challenge was hauled off rocks near Kirk Ness by the Whalsay-based pelagic trawler Serene at around midday on Wednesday, after running aground at a speed of around 10 knots in the early hours.
She returned to Lerwick under her own steam, accompanied by the lifeboat, on Wednesday afternoon.
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