COUNCIL OWNED HARBOURS will soon be reaping the benefits of a £2.4million investment by Moray Council with a new dredger on course to be delivered next spring.
Councillors took their first close look at the 90ft vessel currently under construction at the Macduff Shipyard facility in Buckie.
When it is delivered the dredger will be the only one in Scotland owned and operated by a local council and will have the primary job of servicing Buckie, Burghead, Hopeman, Findochty, Portknockie and Cullen harbours.
Joining the chair of the economic development and infrastructure services committee, Councillor John Cowe, at the shipyard was all four local councillors Gordon Cowie, Gordon McDonald, Sonya Warren and Ron Shepherd.
Councillor Cowe said: “Buckie harbour is a massive asset to Moray in terms of economic development and keeping it accessible to commercial traffic is of vital importance.
“This is a significant investment in our harbours and the local economy by the council, and highlights this administration’s commitment to the prosperity of Buckie.
“I look forward to returning regularly as the new vessel takes shape and to see her completed and operational next year.”
The new vessel will have the ability to access smaller harbours that have silted up and is being built as a direct replacement for the Shearwater, which was sold by Moray Council two years ago.