Newest boat in fleet tied up for repairs after pipe break

REPAIRS are being carried out on Shetland’s newest fishing boat the Prolific after she began taking on water while berthed at Scalloway’s fishmarket at the weekend.

Local firefighters were called to pump out the 18.77 metre (61½ foot) trawler on Sunday morning after a pipe taking sea water to the toilet system corroded and broke, letting in enough water to submerge the main engine.

They spent an hour and a half pumping out the vessel which was due to set off for her first fishing trip of the new year after Christmas break.

Skipper Colin Robb said much of the Prolific’s electrical equipment had to be sent south, meaning the seven man-crew could face a delay of up to two weeks before finally setting off on their voyage.

“I’ve spoken to the insurance man, but I wouldn’t like to say how much it will cost. It will certainly be a lot of money before we replace everything in time,” Mr Robb said, adding work was being carried out on the engines to get them started again.

Although the vessel was listing heavily, the water tight bulkhead protected the hull and cabins from being submerged in the water.

The Prolific began fishing last May after arriving in Shetland from a boat yard in Whitby, North Yorkshire.