THE smash and fizz of a bottle of champagne on a ship’s hull heralded a new addition to the fishing fleet in Wick on Saturday.
Local skipper John Burnett (50) launched his new creel boat, the Marea B II, at around 2pm from the north quay.
Burnett’s wife, Marea, after whom the boat is named, was the one fulfilling the traditional christening and good-luck ceremony with the champagne bottle.
Mr Burnett purchased the vessel this time last year from Anderson Marine, Peterhead, but has spent the last 12 months kitting it out, assisted by John Sinclair, of Caithness Creels, William Crowe and other local helping hands.
The skipper is grateful to all those who helped get the boat ready for the launch.
The boat is a Cygnus GM33, an extremely stable vessel even in poor weather conditions, which provides fishermen with superb handling in rough seas.
The Marea B II replaces Burnett’s old creeler, Marea B.
