‘Eyesore’ vessel in harbour to be removed

AN abandoned fishing charter vessel berthed at Whitby Harbour is set to be removed after concerns were raised over its condition.

The Chieftain has operated out of the port for over 20 years, offering fishing trips to German and Norwegian waters. Built in the 1960s, it was previously used by the Royal Navy as a training vessel.

Speculation over its ownership and future began after it appeared to have abandoned in the harbour and a notice of destraint has been issued by North Yorkshire Council in respect of unpaid moorage fees.

In the 1990s, it was bought by John Brennan, who ran a successful charter business for hobby anglers before his death in 2009.

The vessel changed hands in 2018, when local mariner Will Bamber announced: “Chieftain Charters is now under new ownership and management. We have just finished our 2018 season and soon the vessel will undergo a complete overhaul and facelift. At Chieftain Charters we aim to give our customers a special unique experience that is only offered by us on the east coast, possibly the entire UK, fishing wrecks up to 150 nautical miles offshore on a range of trips.” However, the boat was offered for sale again in 2020.

A petition has even been launched to call for the Chieftain’s removal from the harbour by the port authority, North Yorkshire Council. Jim Evans, who began the campaign, claims the vessel is unsafe, unseaworthy and presents a pollution risk.

Mr Evans said the boat’s deteriorating condition had been ‘ignored’ by harbour masters and that its batteries will have died, leaving the bilge pumps unoperational. He believes it will “rapidly sink” if it develops a leak.

Instead, corporate director of environment Karl Battersby said: “The Chieftain has been an eyesore for some time and despite discussions with the owner, the boat has not been removed.”