Boat recovered from Bain’s Beach
A SMALL fishing vessel has been salvaged from Bain’s Beach in Lerwick after running aground yesterday (Wednesday)
The Ocean Kinetics marine department was drafted into assist the Firecrest, with a dive team and two workboats involved.
Firecrest was successfully recovered, with her crew unharmed in the incident.
Emergency services were called out, and booms were deployed to contain any oil.
Working at low tide, the engineering team sealed the damage to the hull, pumped out the flooded compartments and refloated the vessel before lifting her ashore for repairs.
The entire operation was completed within eight hours of the initial call, allowing Bain’s Beach to reopen to the public.
Ocean Kinetics’ managing director John Henderson said: “Given the vessel’s prominent position and the large number of tourists in town, there was some urgency to get the vessel salvaged and the road reopened.
“We’re pleased to have recovered the vessel safely, with no environmental impact, and helped to reopen the beach as quickly as possible.”
Lerwick Port Authority said the operation “resulted in no significant pollution at Bain’s Beach”.
“However a small amount of diesel escaped when the vessel briefly keeled over at low tide,” it said in a statement.
“Responders treated the area during the operation, with traces expected to dissipate over the coming days.”
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