Moray Council has christened a custom-built £2.4million dredger after a mythical sea creature.
The machine will be named MV Selkie – despite some confusion among councillors who had never before heard of the shape-shifting beings.
Last month the local authority launched a competition for school pupils to name the hulking vessel, which is currently under construction at Macduff Shipyard in Buckie.
More than 300 ideas were received, and at yesterday’s meeting of the economic development and infrastructure services committee the new moniker was chosen.
However, the talks stalled when Keith and Cullen councillor Gary Coull revealed he had hitherto been unaware of selkies, which exist in Scottish folklore as seals who can assume human form.
He said that only when presented with a shortlist of possible titles did he research the fabled creatures.
Mr Coull added: “I didn’t know what a selkie was but I agree the name will help draw attention to the dredger.”
Speyside Glenlivet councillor Pearl Paul said: “I like the name MV Selkie, as it’s simple yet notable as well.
“And obviously the bairns knew what a selkie was.”
Buckie member Sonya Warren added the name was an appropriate nod to a part of the region renowned for its seals.
However, Speyside Glenlivet councillor Fiona Murdoch proposed that naming the dredger the Moray Puffin would help promote the area while it makes its travels.
But her fellow members advised that rejecting childrens’ suggestions in order to devise a title for the machine would “go against the ethos” of the competition.
Buckie councillor Gordon McDonald said: “We asked the kids to pick a name, so we’ve got to go with one the kids came up with.”
Work on the vessel will complete next spring, and the name will be emblazoned on its bow.
The 90ft dredger will service the region’s harbours and will be available for hire around Scotland’s coast.