A historic north-east fishing boat that was almost “completely flooded” after toppling in a Mearns port will remain in situ until temporary repairs have been carried out.
The 70ft Fifie herring drifter, the Reaper, was blown over when a gust of wind caught the mast at Johnshaven Fish Festival on Saturday.
One man was taken to hospital after being thrown from the Fraserburgh-built boat, and suffered a cracked vertebrae in his neck.
Yesterday, the team from the Scottish Fisheries Museum – who own the boat – were counting the cost of the damage, and said the boat would remain in the harbour until she can be patched up.
They described it as a “major blow” as the drifter had been to attend a number of events throughout the summer.
Simon Hayhow, director of the Anstruther-based museum said there was “more damage than initially thought”, which is worst at the hull of the boat.
He also revealed the injured man, Neil Bone – honourable secretary of the museum’s boats club – may have to wear a neck brace for weeks, or even months. He was rescued by coastguards and taken to hospital.
Volunteers were yesterday checking if the Reaper’s engine would start up, as the SFM’s resident boat builder, Leonardo Bortolami, drew up a damage report.
Mr Hayhow said the best option may be to repair the Reaper at Johnshaven Harbour and sail her to a boatyard in Arbroath for a further assessment.
He added a project to refit the boat was already being considered for later this year, and the repair work could potentially fit into this.
“I think she is completely flooded. She is the right way up but back sitting at the bottom of the harbour. We don’t know how much it is going to cost,” said Mr Hayhow.
“I imagine there is damage to the outer planking, and damage to the planks inside as well.
“The thing is it was 18 months away from needing a major refit. We were setting up a project which was probably £800,000 to fully restore everything. We’ll maybe have to bring that forward now.
“It is a major blow, we have a programme of events and we obviously don’t like letting people down.”
