A sailor has claimed that restrictions on entry to a north-east harbour, where a section of the pier collapsed, risk trapping fellow seafarers in rough waters.
Banff Marina has been shut for two weeks after a corner of the quay crumbled into the sea near local pleasure boats.
Nobody was injured in the incident, but Aberdeenshire Council, which oversees the harbour, restricted public access for safety reasons.
A crack on the wall was spotted by users of the marina two months ago, and the local authority had already scheduled dive teams to inspect the damage before it gave way.
But it is understood torrential rainfall in the area worsened the damage unexpectedly.
Council workers are now repairing the quay – an excavator was on site yesterday – and restrictions have been placed on when vessels can enter and exit the marina.
Boats can only gain access half an hour either side of high tide – a total of two hours every day.
But somebody who uses the amenities has now argued the strict rules could leave seafarers stranded outside the refuge of the harbour.
The sailor, who did not want to be named, said: “We are very disappointed that they have closed the harbour at this busy time of the year.
“There are restrictions on the harbour [at the moment] which make it not worth using – they are designed to stop you using the harbour. You would effectively be locked out for 12 hours between high tides.
“That is not acceptable to the customers who have paid our harbour fees. We’re two weeks down the line and we’ve still not got it open.”
The man added he would publicly voice his concerns at a meeting of the Banff Harbour Advisory Committee next week.
The council was contacted for a response.
