Vessel sinks in Highland harbour sparking council investigation

The Highland Council has launched an investigation after a converted fishing vessel sank in a harbour overnight.

The incident occurred in Lochinver Harbour, with the Coastguard being alerted at around 6.55am on Thursday.

No one was on board the boat as it sank, and there were no reported injuries.

The local authority deployed oil collection booms around the vessel in an effort to minimise the environmental impact of the incident.

An investigation is ongoing to establish the cause of the sinking, and plans are being organised to refloat the vessel in the coming days.

A council spokesperson said: “A converted former fishing vessel sank overnight within the Lochinver Harbour. The cause of the sinking has not yet been established, and further investigation will be required.

As a precautionary measure, oil collection booms have been deployed around the vessel to contain and absorb any oil that may seep from it, to minimise any potential environmental impact.”

The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency has been made aware of the incident; however, the council’s Harbours Authority is leading the enquiry.