|
A Troon fishing boat was involved in a potentially fatal hit-and-run accident off Arran in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The Spes Bona V BA107 was just east of Pladda off the south coast of Arran when she was hit amidships by a passing cargo ship that failed to stop.
Arran lifeboat The Boys Brigade responded to an emergency callout at 1.06am to go to the vessel’s aid. The Spes Bona was hauling in her nets after fishing for prawns when the collision took place.
She was hit on the side by a glancing blow from the much larger tanker. Arran lifeboat operations manager Geoff Norris said: ‘We got a callout when the fishing boat was struck by a passing vessel which we believe was a tanker heading for Rotterdam.
‘There were four crew and when our lifeboat got alongside we boarded here to check for damage. She had taken a fair thump but was not taking on water.
‘The Troon lifeboat had also been tasked and we escorted the Spes Bona across the Clyde to meet up with her.’
The Spes Bona is a 15 meters long steel hulled vessel built in 2004 on the Isle of Bute. She is described as one of the newest boats in Troon and also one of the biggest money makers. The vessel is now back lying at berth in Troon.
A Clyde Coastguard spokesman told the Banner: ‘Members of Ardrossan coastguard team were tasked and helped to secure the Spes Bona when she got back to Troon harbour.
‘We believe that the cargo vessel involved in the incident was the MS Leeswig and a report has been sent to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).’
MS Leeswig is an 88 metre 2,900 tonne cargo ship built in 1995 and registered in Bermuda. The MAIB website states that it is currently investigating a collision between a cargo vessel, the Leeswig, and the Spes Bona fishing vessel off the Isle of Arran on January 27.
Geoff Norris said: ‘There was good visibility and it is hard to understand how the cargo vessel did not see the fishing boat, but she didn’t stop after they collided.’
- Road closed signs 'only for tourists'
- Road fatalities on the increase
- Murray's digger buried in Goatfell peat bog
- Hidden hazard of new seafront walkway
- The sinking of HMS Dasher
- Western Ferries' new Arran vessel on the dra...
- Watch out, there's a red squirrel about
- Ancient rubbish resurfaces on Brodick beach
- Graham takes a 'chance' on Arran Monopoly set
- Bin man rescues trapped driver
