Breakers yard for hulk

An old trawler, which commemorates Ayr’s fishing industry, is for the scrap heap.

The rotting fishing boat is becoming an eye sore, a community council meeting heard.

The wooden hulk has been sitting on an old slipway in Ayr’s South Harbour for about two decades.

Named Watchful and permanently grounded opposite flats in the old dry dock, it is a poignant reminder of the town’s once thriving fishing port.

Calls were made for the regeneration of the harbour area at the latest Fort Seafield and Wallacetown community council meeting.

And residents wanted the trawler spruced up.

But councillor Martin Dowey said it was impossible to save it. He said: “The boat is about to fall apart. It needs more than a lick of paint. It was a good idea 20 years ago but it has done its purpose. The residents seem to think it is an eyesore and it can’t be saved. You certainly would not be able to take it out to sea. The residents are also concerned it could be a target for vandals. I think it will have to be removed

Councillor Dowey said a fisherman recently examined the wood and said a penknife went through it.”

Councillor Siobhian Brown said the council was in discussions with the residents association to discuss regeneration ideas.

The local SNP’s manifesto for the most recent local election proposed a multi- million pound marina at Ayr Harbour to help regenerate the area again. Talks have taken place between harbour- owners Associated British Ports, council officials and the SNP.