This is the moment a historic north-east fishing boat went back to sea almost two weeks after suffering major damage during a freak accident.
A group of locals gathered to bid farewell to the Reaper as it left Johnshaven Harbour for its journey south to undergo more extensive repairs.
On Saturday, August 6 the 70ft fifie herring drifter keeled on its side after a gust of wind caught one of its masts in the port during the Johnshaven Fish Festival.
The Fraserburgh-built vessel sailed out of the harbour in blue skies and calm seas as its crew made their way to Mackay Boatbuilders in Arbroath.
After being assessed there, the Scottish Fisheries Museum – which owns the vessel – will decide whether or not to bring forward a huge £800,000 refit to deal with the further repairs.
The ship has been described as a “floating museum” and attends maritime events throughout the country.
But the Reaper will be out of commission for the rest of the year.
Neil Bone – honourable secretary of the boats club, which maintains the vessel – was thrown off the boat during the incident in Johnshaven, and is now recovering from a cracked vertebra.
Volunteers have subsequently spent days carrying out repairs after the ship was left with several leaks and a huge amount of internal damage – the worst of which occurred in the sleeping quarters and kitchen.
It was built in 1902 by J and G Forbes of Sandhaven for the Buchan family of St Combs, and was one of the main attractions at the Johnshaven festival.
In 1974, the boat was purchased by the Scottish Fisheries Museum and painstakingly restored, whereupon the Museum Boats Club took charge of its maintenance and operation in 1985.
John Firn, vice-chairman of the Scottish Fisheries Museum said: “The boat safely reached Abroath on Wednesday after a two-hour journey.
“We’re now deciding when we are going to begin a major refit on the boat, which was originally scheduled for 2018, but that could well be brought forward.
“The Reaper will now go on the slip to have a full damage assessment. I would like to offer our thanks to the Arbroath coastguard who came and met the Reaper and shepherded the boat all the way home.
“Everyone has been extremely helpful since the accident happened and the museum is extremely grateful.”
If you would like to contribute to the repairs you can donate at: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ReaperRepair
