BUCKIE PRIMARY SCHOOL pupils are being challenged to come up with a new name for a boat that is soon to become a familiar sight all along the Moray coastline.
Moray’s new £2.4million replacement dredger currently being built by Macduff Shipyard is due to be launched next spring.
A replacement for the ‘Shearwater’, which had to be withdrawn from service two years ago after many years keeping Council-owned harbours serviceable, the new ship will be based in Buckie and used at Burghead, Hopeman, Findochty, Portknockie and Cullen harbours.
The dredger will also be available for hire to other Councils in Scotland as the only local authority owned dredger in the country.
A new name for the ship – hopefully more imaginative than ‘Shearwater II’ – will be sought from pupils attending local primary schools Cluny, Millbank, Portessie, St Peter’s, Portgordon, Findochy, Portknockie and Cullen.
Councillors will make the final choice from a shortlist produced by the names suggested with the pupil whose entry is ultimately successful being given a tour of the Macduff Shipyard to see the dredger under construction and the new nameplate being attached.