SOS plea to keep abandoned boats
CMAL cites safety reasons as need for their removal
There has been a public outcry over the decision to remove three abandoned boats from Brodick harbour. As reported in last week’s
Banner, harbour operator Caledonian Maritme Assets Ltd (CMAL) plans to remove the boats from the mouth of the Strathwhil-lan Burn unless the owners come forward to claim them.
But the decision to take them away, after many
years, sparked a lively debate on the Arran Banner Facebook page last weekend with most calling for the vessels to be saved.
Among the comments posted by readers were: ‘These boats have been there for years or since I can remember, I think it would be a shame to get rid of them, can people leave nothing alone. I come to Arran every year with family and never once has anybody said they were an eyesore.’
‘I kind of like them. They’re old and have character. I often see tourists taking pictures of them.’
‘Oh, that’s a shame. I like the boats, they’re part of the history of the place and a lot more appealing (to my eyes at least) than the huge new ferry terminal building!’
‘My son loves to go and see the old boats at the harbour every time we visit. Think you will loose a bit of the island’s character.’
‘Why don’t they make them part of the harbour with flowers in them it would look inviting and they can be saved, as long as I have known them they have never looked out of place. The big one would look good painted and a story about what they used to be used for would be good history for the village and the island.’
But not everyone agreed, with one reader commenting: ‘Can’t go changing anything can we ... even when it’s three filthy floating skips.’
CMAL says all three boats have fallen into state of disrepair and appear in danger of breaking up. As such, they are now considered wrecks and pose a risk to vessels navigating within the inner harbour.
A second public notice has been posted in the Banner today appealing for the owners of the remaining abandoned boats to come forward. A spokeswoman said: ‘The owners have until September 23 to come forward and claim their boat. After that date any of the abandoned boats that remain unclaimed will need to be removed for harbour safety reasons.’