Reaper in trouble

[[32511]]

On her side, after being blown over in Johnshaven harbour.

Report on BBC Scotland web page.

 

[ffiill]

Any link?All I can find on Google is one reference to boat-rest all about an X box game

 

[JumbleDuck]

Any link?All I can find on Google is one reference to boat-rest all about an X box game

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-37002201, from which

I'm puzzled. Surely even a huge a gust in harbour wouldn't be enough on bare poles to heel her enough to flood down? And if she did go over like that, why can't fire brigade pumps empty here enough to float off again?

My guess is that she blew over when tried out, fell on her side and damaged the planking.

 

[Robert Wilson]

Is she the drifter in Anstruther harbour?
What a tragedy.

 

[Capt Popeye]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-37002201, from which

I'm puzzled. Surely even a huge a gust in harbour wouldn't be enough on bare poles to heel her enough to flood down? And if she did go over like that, why can't fire brigade pumps empty here enough to float off again?

My guess is that she blew over when tried out, fell on her side and damaged the planking.

Humm maybe not a tragedy if she can be re floated quickly?

Report seems to state that a sail was hoisted at the time whilst opening her up to visitors, and that some visitors were actually aboard her at the time.

 

[ShinyShoe]

Yes there was a sail up, a rope broke (presumably a spring) and she rolled over.

Injured person was crew member, all Members of Public were successfully evacuated.

I'd guess there is a hatch open below the water line.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Humm maybe not a tragedy if she can be re floated quickly?

I'd guess there is a hatch open below the water line.

It seems that she fell over while dried out and damaged herself badly. From the local coastguard Facebook page:

After arriving and setting up, shortly after 11:00 old fishing vessel "Reaper" which was sitting dry in the inner harbour at full sail.

A strong gust of wind caught the sails capsizing the vessel throwing one of the 6 crew overboard onto the harbour floor.

The team responded immediately, assessing casualty for injuries finding both neck and shoulder injuries. The casualty was imobilised with neck brace and short board and extracted to the waiting ambulance.

Team, assisted by RNLI Stonehaven and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service attempted to organise the righting of the Reaper involving 4 pumps but unfortunately the vessel could not be righted.
Pumping was abandoned due to damage being too severe.

All asserts depart scene at 17:30.
Reaper crew/museum to organise salvage operation.
​

 

[ShinyShoe]

So she's now been winched upright.
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Whats on Johnshaven

 

[dunedin]

What a shame. A very rare historic vessel - and suspect not huge funds available to restore.

One must wonder though about hoisting sail on the windiest day in Scotland for many months (very windy just about everywhere and even a F10 in the forecast for Minch)

 

[JumbleDuck]

So she's now been winched upright.

Quick work! It will be interesting to see what the falling tide reveals.

 

[Capt Popeye]

Humm, a very sorry affair, I also am wondering about the Museum's Staff 'seamanship' awareness is /was if her sails were indeed hoisted up whilst she was standing dry unsupported lying against the wall ?

I do wonder at times about the value of the 'good intent' of staff regarding Museums?

 

[ShinyShoe]

There is a good chance this will cross the MAIB's radar:

- Members of Public On Board
- Crewman Injured and Taken to Hospital
- Presumably some Significant Financial Costs

Their report should make interesting reading.

 

[Robert Wilson]

So, Stonehaven Inner Harbour? But is it the boat usually in Anstruther?

 

[Deleted member 36384]

So, Stonehaven Inner Harbour? But is it the boat usually in Anstruther?

No, Johnshaven harbour and yes, Anstruther is her usual place.

 

[Robert Wilson]

Ah,Johnshaven.
Thank you.
I thought I recognised the buttresses.

Lovely boat, I hope she can be repaired

 

[Woodlouse]

Quite amazed that anyone thought it would be a good idea hoisting the sails with the boat dried out.

 

[Capt Popeye]

Quite amazed that anyone thought it would be a good idea hoisting the sails with the boat dried out.

Humm, will be interesting to see what the Company H&S and Operational regulations state and what effect they had on this foolhardy escapade.

 

[Romeo]

Quite amazed that anyone thought it would be a good idea hoisting the sails with the boat dried out.

I am pretty sure thousands of fifies over the years did this to dry out their canvas sails. These days vessels will do it to put on a bit of a show in the small drying harbours where they pitch up as an attraction as part of a local festival. That is the role that the reaper plays, she is a display vessel, and folk love it when she turns up and looks super dramatic in a wee harbour.

The skill is in knowing when conditions do not allow it. And when you are at risk of being super dramatic for the wrong reasons.

 

[[32511]]

Anyone got an update on the damage? Hope it's minor.

 

[Romeo]

Anyone got an update on the damage? Hope it's minor.

Post from Scottish Fisheries Museum facebook page yesterday:

"The works to keep afloat Reaper are continuing. She is still in Johnsaven harbour and our volunteers are working hard to stabilize her state.
We have pumps running on board to keep dry the interiors until all the major leaks will be fixed.
Yesterday and today some caulking work has been done in order to minimize the water leaks from the hull. A flush and a service to the engine is planned.
There are some damages on the structures but a clearer idea of the extent will be possible as soon as the ballast will be unloaded and the bilge cleaned.
We will update with new info ASAP."

I presume that they will bring in a crane to get her masts out, and strip her down a bit more before getting her sufficiently watertight for a safe passage to Arbroath to go up the slip and into the boatyard there. I am not sure that Johnshaven is that sheltered a place for a massive boat like Reaper when the wind starts blowing hard from the East. There will be some damage from falling over, but she will undoubtedly be fixable and will be fixed.