Explosive catch for Forth trawler as it nets torpedo

The Sea Spray II crew had to cut away the net after spotting the device

Andrew Mack, 22, caught the device in his nets while fishing in the Forth. But he didn't want to bother the owner of the Sea Spray II with a midnight call so he waited until morning to report: "We'll be late in."

Bomb disposal experts from the Royal Navy were today set to examine the device, which Mr Mack and his crew attached to a buoy in the middle of the Forth.

The boat is based in Port Seton, East Lothian, and set out on Tuesday afternoon to catch prawns.

The crew realised they had caught something more than shellfish when their winch - which can pull two tonnes - struggled with its load.

Mr Mack said: "We were just working as usual when we felt something heavy in the net and saw it was a torpedo so we didn't muck about too much after that.

"It was caught up in the net and we had to cut away some of the net.

"We just wanted to get in, get another net and go back out again.

"It's out in the middle of the Forth with a buoy attached to it."

He said he was determined not to let the incident put him off his work.

The boat's owner Bobo Johnston praised the crew's calm response. He said: "They caught the torpedo around midnight and called me about 6am to let me know they were going to be late back in and ask my advice. Then they contacted the coastguard."

Asked if he worried about his crew, he said: "It's a wee bit worrying but you just have to take it in your stride, and they are a very experienced crew."

The net, which was totally destroyed, will cost about 3000 to replace.

Mr Johnston said: "We may get compensation for it but it could take up to a year before we get any money back.

"It's not a very nice thing to happen as it's hard enough to make a living as it is, especially with current fuel prices."

A coastguard spokesman said the boat was reported to have netted a silver torpedo-shaped object measuring around 10ft long.

He said: "The fishing vessel is currently towing the object back to Port Seton, where they have been instructed to wait at least a mile from the harbour for an EOD team who will assess it."

A Royal Navy spokesman said: "Our bomb squad was called out at around 8.30 this morning.

"A fishing vessel had picked up something and they've instructed them to bring the fishing vessel into shallower waters where they can approach it, decide what it is and deal with it accordingly."