Investigation into sinking of harbour pilot boat 4/9/14
► Photos: Salvage operation for sunken pilot boat
An investigation is underway after Stornoway Port Authority’s harbour boat sank.
The MV Pathfinder was discovered submerged under the water at her moorings in Stornoway marina on Wednesday morning. Weather conditions were good at the time.
The heavy weight of seawater within her twisted the pontoon she was still tied to.
Nobody was onboard at the time. Her single engine, navigation equipment and onboard electronics are expected to have been damaged by the saltwater.
The harbour launch is a Mitchell 31, Mark III type of vessel. It was purchased this summer with plans to use her as a replacement pilot boat. In good condition, the model can sell for between £40,000 to £80,000.
The craft was last used on Tuesday when a delegation of port authority officials travelled onboard her to North Uist where Princess Anne was performing the official opening of Lochmaddy Marina. The group steamed back to Stornoway in the afternoon and left the boat tied to the pontoons.
After the sinking was discovered, an oil pollution prevention boom was placed around the sunken vessel to minimise any spread of leaking fuel.
A salvage operation to recover the flooded craft was carried out using a large floating crane which has been working on the construction works for a new ferry pier in the outer harbour.
With an audience of spectators on the quayside, the port’s existing pilotboat and tugs craft slowly towed and nudged the crane barge into position adjacent to the pontoons.
Heavy duty straps squeezed under the stricken boat’s bottom were attached to the crane’s hook and, listing to port, the craft was gently winched upwards.
As she rose very slowly out of the sea, much of the trapped water inboard streamed out.
Eventually, the boat righted and a salvage pump was used to get rid of excessive water.
The boat is to be craned lifted ashore to the nearest quayside at Cromwell Street quay, and will be placed on the adjacent hardstanding area used for onshore boat storage.
The vessel is to be examined in an attempt to ascertain the cause of the sinking.
Jane Maciver, harbour board chief executive said: “Stornoway Port Authority’s vessel, Pathfinder, sank at her moorings on Stornoway marina early this morning (Wed).”
She added that pier construction contractor “BAM Nuttall have assisted the port authority to raise the vessel which will be placed on the temporary hardstanding.
“Investigations regarding the incident are ongoing.”