AN abandoned former fishing vessel that had begun to sink into the waters of Whitehaven harbour is set to be removed, officials have said.

The Lady Kate boat has been abandoned for a number of years and has been under the care of Whitehaven Marina. 

Recently the boat had begun to deteriorate and sink into the water. 

Simone Morgan, the marina manager, said: "The Lady Kate is a fishing vessel that is birthed in the north harbour in front of the Fish Hall.

"It was abandoned by its current owner in 2021 so we've been taking care of it since then, pumping it out and making sure its lines were secure and everything.

"Unfortunately, for whatever reason, it has taken on the water on Sunday evening into Monday morning and the back end of the boat had become submerged in the water. 

Whitehaven News: Another shot of the Lady Kate boat in the harbour Another shot of the Lady Kate boat in the harbour (Image: Kevin Marsh)

"It wasn't completely sunk as it was still being held on by the lines, so we've hired in some pumps to dewater it. We've now got it dewatered and it is currently refloated.

"There has been no sort of oil leaks or fuel, there was no fuel on board - we'd already taken all of that off anyways.

"So even if there does look like there is a bit of oil in the water, it's just surface oil that's came off the decks of the boat with it being an old working fishing boat.

"The plan is now that we will lift it out into the main boatyard and it will be either dismantled there or taken away."

There had been concern from people on social media about the boat's condition and claims that there could be a risk of contamination of the surrounding water. 

However, staff at Whitehaven Marina have said that the issue is being dealt with and there is no risk of fuel leakage.

The waters of the harbour are already bright orange in colour due to ongoing pollution related to historic mining works.

Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners are now 'reasonably confident' that the water is connected to historic mining and are working alongside the council, Network Rail, The Coal Authority and The Environment Agency, to resolve the issue.