Research holed

The pelagic fishing boat Research was badly damaged on Tuesday morning after being hit by another boat in Norway.

The incident happened in Ålesund, where the Whalsay boat was landing Atlanto-Scandian herring. She was berthed at the quayside when a Norwegian pelagic boat ran into her, holing the Research and pushing her against the pier which caused more damage.

She had a crew of 10 on board when the accident happened but nobody was injured.

The Research is now waiting in Måløy while repair work is organised through a suitable Norwegian shipyard.

Ritchie Simpson of fishing agents LHD said it was likely the boat would be out of action for a month or two. It had been her final landing of the Atlanto-Scandian season, and she would probably not be fishing again until the summer herring season anyway. If it had been her first landing things would have been a lot worse.