Q VARL BM29
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Fiishing company fined for breach of scallop dredging regulations
The owner and master of the 'Star of Annan' will have to pay over £200,000 after pleading guilty to multiple breaches of local scallop dredging regulations and national fisheries legislation. The John MacAlister (Oban) Ltd. of South Pier, Oban and the master of the vessel, Alec Murray, of Upper Bayble, Isle of Lewis, both appeared at the Scarborough Magistrates’ Court on April 6, 2021, for sentencing, having admitted the offences at a previous hearing. The company’s owner was fined £180,000, and has to pay £7,000 costs and £170 victim surcharge while Murray was fined £2,908, has to pay costs of £555 and a victim surcharge of £170. MacAlister also appeared as a director to represent the Q Varl Fishing Co Ltd. The Terrace, Torquay, which was fined £15,000 and has to pay costs of £2,140 and a £170 victim surcharge relating to two similar offences which were committed by the fishing vessel 'Q Varl-BM 29' between May 27 May and June 4, 2019. The prosecution was brought by the North East Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NEIFCA) following significant patrols and enforcement efforts. The court heard how the 10 offences, which had between March 4, 2019, and May 28, 2019, off the coast of Robin Hood’s Bay, included operating in a closed season, using scallop dredges, failing to operate a fully functioning vessel identification system as well as landing undersized scallops. The magistrates found that there had been a deliberate failure to put in place and to enforce such systems as could reasonably be expected to avoid commission of the offences.
Disabled trawler taken in tow
The "Q Varl" , 85 gt (built 1988), experienced an engine failure in position 57 41.15N, 006 29.48W, three miles Northwest of Trotternish, on March 29, 2018, at 7.50 p.m. The vessel contacted the Stornoway Coastguard for assistance, which tasked the Leverburgh lifeboat in order to provide assistance and a R948 chopper for standby. The fishing vessel was towed to safety by another fishing vessel, the "Guiding Star".
Disabled scallop dredger towed to Aberdeen
The Aberdeen Lifeboat was paged on Aug 2, 2017, at 8.45 a.m. to assist the "Q-Varl" seven miles east of Stonehaven. The lifeboat launched at 8.55 a.m. and arrived on scene at 9.30 a.m. The "Q-Varl"’s propeller had become fouled and she was unable to make way under her own power. The lifeboat took her in tow to return to Aberdeen. With assistance from Aberdeen Harbour pilots, the "Q-Varl" was brought alongside the fish quay in Aberdeen at around 1.30 p.m. The lifeboat returned to station and was readied for service by 2 p.m. Report with photo: http://www.mearnsleader.co.uk/news/aberdeen-lifeboat-tows-fishing-vessel-to-safety-1-4520415
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