A massive salvage operation has been launched to save a historic north-east fishing boat that capsized at a bustling harbour festival.
One man was taken to hospital with neck and shoulder injuries after he was flung from the Fraserburgh-built Reaper on Saturday.
The 70ft herring drifter was the “star attraction” of the annual Johnshaven Fish Festival, but it is understood that as the sail was being hoisted, it was keeled over by a strong gust of wind.
The crewmate was thrown into the harbour basin. The remaining five onboard were rescued by the coastguard.
The Stonehaven lifeboat and coastguard rescue team – who were both in the harbour for the festival – immediately sprang into action, and the man was taken to hospital. His injuries are not thought to be serious.
Yesterday, the Reaper crew and a team from the Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther worked to salvage the vessel, only downing tools when the tide came in.
They brought a team of experts into the harbour who successfully righted the boat, after first removing the sail to reduce the weight of the mast.
However, it is believed the boat is still taking in water and will remain in situ at the harbour until repairs can be made.
It is understood the drifter – which was restored to its former glory by the Scottish Fisheries Museum Boats Club and now tours the country for events – has suffered “severe damage”.
Despite the drama, between 3,000 and 4,000 people turned out for the festival, which included live music, local food, a Harley Davidson display, and a raft race.
Kevin Dunbar, organiser of the event, said: “The Reaper was a star attraction and we are devastated for the folk involved and the boat.
“We are all devastated about that. But the show had to go on. The guy wasn’t seriously injured. He was one of the crew.
“Now it is on its feet. I don’t know the extent of the damage, they are going to see if it floats.
“But a lot of people attended the fish festival, the weather was great, we had good feedback and were well supported.”
Firefighters from Inverbervie and Stonehaven were called to the incident on Saturday and attempted to pump water from the vessel in a bid to re-float it, but were forced to give up.
A spokesman for the HM Coastguard’s Angus and Mearns division said: “A strong gust of wind caught the sails capsizing the vessel throwing one of the six crew overboard onto the harbour floor.
“The team responded immediately, assessing casualty for injuries finding both neck and shoulder injuries.
He added the team “attempted to organise the righting of the Reaper” but it “could not be righted”.
He said: “Pumping was abandoned due to damage being too severe.”
A police spokesman said: “We were told at 11.15am. It was resting on the mud and tipped to one side. We were really just overseeing the rescue.
“There was no serious injuries. There was one male that was removed with non-serious injuries, all others were taken off by coastguards.”
