§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the circumstances surrounding the sinking of the fishing boat Ha'burn in the Firth of Clyde.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonOn the morning of Friday 30 June the fishing vessel Ha'burn, while fishing in the Clyde approaches, caught a mine-like object in its nets. The vessel informed HM Coastguard and proceeded to Troon on the Ayrshire coast. The Royal Navy base at Faslane was also informed, and an explosive ordnance disposal team was despatched to the scene and indentified the object as a German world war II ground mine.
The skipper of the Ha'burn agreed to take the mine to deep water, where the Royal Navy team were to dispose of it by a controlled explosion. When the vessel had reached a suitable location, a demolition charge was attached to the mine which was then lowered to the sea bed. A safety fuse was set and the vessel began to retire to safety. The charge, however, detonated prematurely and before the Ha'burn had time to clear the area.
The vessel was holed by the resulting explosion and later beached some 500 yards from Great Cumbrae island. The crew, who were unhurt, were rescued by an inshore lifeboat from Largs. A board of inquiry has been convened. The owners of the Ha'burn have been informed of the procedures for submitting a claim for compensation.