Marine / Pier incident ‘taints’ arrival of new Antarctic
AN INVESTIGATION is being launched into why the brand new pelagic trawler Antarctic (LK145) started moving from her berth at Mair’s Pier this morning (Wednesday), colliding with another vessel.
No-one was injured in the incident which happened as well-wishers were boarding the new vessel, which had not long arrived in Lerwick.
There were people on the gangway when crew members realised the 70-metre vessel had started moving at just after midday.
As people were herded inside for safety, the mooring ropes tightened and eventually snapped as the Antarctic reversed in slow motion into the oil industry supply vessel Vos Pathfinder, which was berthed further along the pier.
Both vessels will have to be inspected for damage caused to their hulls.
It was the first time the Antarctic had berthed at a pier other than the shipyard she had left two days prior.
Speaking on behalf of the fishing partnership, Shetland Fishermen’s Association executive officer Sheila Keith, who was on board when control over the vessel was lost, said the accident had sadly “tainted” the happy occasion of a new vessel jointing the local fishing fleet.
“It is a momentous occasion to see a new pelagic vessel coming into Shetland, but unfortunately it has been tainted by an incident when two vessels were coming together,” she said.
“It would seem there has been an electronic fault which needs to be fully investigated.
“It is still a happy day; we have a new vessel, and we shouldn’t forget that.”
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is being informed of the incident.
Note: in the light of the circumstances and in discussions with the skipper Shetland News has agreed to postpone a feature on the new vessel until tomorrow.
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