Banff trawler Prospect to be raised next week

AN attempt will be made to raise the wreck of the Banff-registered white fish trawler Prospect (BF573) in Shetland early next week.

The four-man crew of the 64ft Whitehills-owned vessel, which sank at the entrance to Lerwick Harbour last Monday evening after hitting a rock, arrived back in their home port of Macduff last Tuesday to await developments.

Harbour officials in Lerwick have since been monitoring the wreck of the Prospect, which is lying on its starboard side close to the port’s northern navigation channel, amid fears that her fuel load might cause a major environmental incident.

Lerwick harbourmaster Calum Grains said: "We are at the eaely stages of looking at what is going to be required and formulating a plan to raise the casualty.

"Most of the fuel on board is enclosed in the anks so the best way would be to keep the hul secure and in one piece and take it ashore so the fuel can be removed in a more controlled environment."

The salvage plan will see an attempt made to patch the Prospect’s damaged wooden hull before air bags are used to refloat her.

She will then be towed to the quayside where her fuel, sea and bilge water can be safely pumped out.

"The next few days look favourable so we’re getting these things done as soon as we can. All going well, we have preparation work going on over the next few days," Mr Grains.

"Equipment is being mobilised from the mainland over the weekend so we can raise the Prospect early next week."

Wildlife experts have been keeping an eye on the wreck site for signs of birds suffering harm from leaking fuel but it appeared leaks from the Prospect have been minimal.

The vessel’s owner and skipper, Whitehills-based George Watson who was not on board at the time o the incident, was been in regular contact with Lerwick Harbour board since the Prospect sank.

He consistently played down the risk of fuel pollution from the Prospect, which had taken on 4,850 gallons of diesel fuel prior to the incident.

He said: "I think that might be coming from the overflows and I don’t think the tank has been damaged.

"The insurers are working with the harbour to get it recovered."

Neil King, who was skippering the Prospect for the trip, crewman William Milne from Whitehills and two Sri Lankan deckhands, SJ Fernando and JP Warnakula, were all safely taken off the stricken vessel last Monday evening with no injuries.

Mr King and the Prospect’s owner, spent most of last week in meetings with the boat’s insurers and liaising with the Lerwick harbour authorities over a possible salvage attempt..

They have declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding the sinking but Lerwick port authority has denied suggestions that the crew could have been confused by an out-of-place navigation marker.