Council Leader Martin Dowey has hit out at the length of time it is taking to dispose of the Watchful from Ayr docks and raised concerns about safety should the vessel condition deteriorate further.

The Conservative administration pledged to remove the old fishing vessel as part of their election campaign in 2022.

But the leader has made clear his unhappiness with the process and questioned how the public would view the length of time it has taken.

He said: “There is frustration in having to do things by the book. It had funding to go about 18 months ago through Thriving Communities. But we are where we are.”

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The Cabinet was approving the first of three stages required for the disposal of the Watchful, which has deteriorated over the last couple of decades and has no money allocated towards its maintenance.

While the vessel is deemed a common good asset, it does not require the approval of a Sheriff to be disposed of. However, under community empowerment legislation, it is subject to a statutory public consultation that will last eight weeks.

Chris Cox, assistant director of planning and development, said that the consultation would be launched as quickly as possible, with the results going to cabinet next February.

Cllr Dowey said that the council had already spoken to various stakeholders and referred to a report on the council that calls for “decisive and focused leadership.”

He added: “But we can’t even get rid of a boat, an old fishing boat that died a long time ago.”

He said that he was concerned about the safety of the vessel, should anyone attempt to board it.

“A barrier has been put on the steps going to the boat. Have we had health and safety look at it? My fear is that someone could go onto the boat, which has clearly rotted, and could go through the deck that will be filled with water because the hatches haven’t been secured.

“The wooden deck perished a long long time ago.  That’s my concern. If it was deemed unsafe, would that speed matters up?”

Chief legal officer Catriona Caves told Cllr Dowey that it would be up to the council to secure the area, “much like we do around the Station Hotel.”

“It wouldn’t be a get out jail card,” she added.

Cllr Dowey asked that matter be looked at immediately.

Girvan and South Carrick Independent Councillor Alec Clark bemoaned the fact that the vessel was in Ayr in the first place.

“It should never have been in Ayr, it should have been in Maidens. It is in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Cllr Dowey responded: “I am an ex-fisherman. That boat was built on the east coast and worked out of Maidens and Girvan. There is no connection to the town.”

Councillor Bob Pollock asked whether any work could be carried out to look at the broader plans for the area, without prejudicing any decision on the disposal of the Watchful.

He suggested that there could be early engagement in terms of “repurposing” the site, including a company which has expressed interest in developing a watersports facility.

He said: “If we wait until February, the chances of it being up and running for the summer would be slim.”

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Ms Cox replied that there was already money allocated towards the improvement of the slipway.

Councillor Bob Shields asked whether there was still opportunity for a third party to take the Watchful away, rather than scrap it entirely.

Ms Cox said that there had been discussions with interested parties but that this had fallen away.

Cllr Dowey added that the vessel would probably “break up” before it even reached a lorry to transfer it.

The Cabinet agreed to the proposals and will receive a report on the consultation in February.