Fishing boat runs aground in MPA
A commercial trawler ran aground last week, well within the boundaries of the Arran South Marine Protected Area (MPA).
The Ayr-registered fishing vessel Auriga AR147 ran aground just south of Dunnan, 2.5km south of the northern MPA boundary.
The incident happened in the early hours of Thursday August 6. The fishing vessel ran ashore around the high water mark at 2am and, as the tide ebbed, the boat grounded.
There is no evidence the vessel was fishing prior to running aground.
A HM Coastguard team was alerted and Arran lifeboat was launched but was initially unable to help. However, by noon tide conditions had improved and the crew made their way to the casualty vessel.
Another trawler, the Bon Ami, arrived and the crew helped by transferring tow lines between the two vessels.
It took three attempts to get her off the rocks and on the second attempt the tow line parted under the strain. The third attempt brought success, however, and the Bon Ami towed the Auriga off the rocks at high tide.
Upon checking the Auriga hadn’t sustained damage, the lifeboat was stood down and headed back to Lamlash.
Enquiries by the Marine Coastguard Agency and Marine Scotland Compliance are under way.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Marine Scotland is aware of the vessel grounding on Arran last week.
‘Compliance officers closely monitor Marine Protected Areas and no breaches are believed to have taken place.
‘Fishing vessels are allowed to transit through South Arran MPA without breaching any of the regulations.’