A north-east man says his “dream has come true” after a boat he crafted without the use of any blueprints took to the sea for the first time.
George Cameron chose not to follow the traditional path when it came to constructing his bright red vessel.
He has been working on the Aggie O, a reference to his late grandmother’s nickname, for the last year and it is believed to be the first craft of its kind created in the area.
Rather than use the normal methods involved with boat-making, he decided to “make it up as he went along”.
Mr Cameron undertook the project at Buchanhaven Boat Shed and only shipped out in May so he could add the final touches at home.
On Saturday Aggie O was painstakingly lowered onto the slipway at Buchanhaven harbour in preparation for it entering the water for the first time.
Crowds gathered at the quayside to watch Mr Cameron christen the boat with a bottle of champagne before sending it into the waves.
Steve Murray, a superintendent with the Fishermen’s Mission in Peterhead, blessed Aggie O as well and crowds gathered at the shore to watch the launch.
Mr Cameron’s niece, Tyree Ritchie, and her friend, Ava Cameron, joined him on board as he rowed the boat out to sea.
Mr Cameron plans to use Aggie O for lobster fishing as well as trips for his family when the weather allows.
Yesterday, the proud craftsman spoke of his delight at how the day went.
He said: “We did really well and everything went without a hitch.
“I was surprised with how many folk turned up and everybody was cheering when the boat hit the water.
“I took the boat for a row just to the pier and back to its moorings, then everybody went back to the Buchanhaven boat shed.
“It just shows if you put your mind to something you can make your dream come true – just like mine has.”
The boat shed is used as space for local fishermen to maintain their boats, but it also features an aquarium and displays about Buchanhaven’s fishing heritage.
