A fisherman whose livelihood was ruined when his boat sank is celebrating today after getting his trawler back into the water.

Shipshape - Colin Dolby set for the launch Picture: ROB BROWNE

Colin Dolby, 42, from Leigh, has worked solidly for four months on his 35ft boat Louisa, which sank in the estuary just before Christmas.

The loss of the boat spelled financial disaster for Colin, a father-of two, made worse by the Port of London Authority which said it would charge him £10,000 to remove it from the sea bed.

Realising his plight, local fishermen and friends clubbed together and staged a four-day effort to raise the 15-tonne boat.

When it was finally back on dry land Colin realised the extent of the damage to the ship, which was not insured.

He said: "The boat was in a real state - there was so much work to do to get it seaworthy but every day the boat was not in the water is a day without my livelihood. I got to work straight away on it, and have been working all day every day ever since as hard as I possibly can.

"I have had some help from others, but it has been a long hard slog to get the boat ready."

Louisa was launched from Halcon Marina in Canvey, yesterday and is undergoing final repair works before she heads seaward for her first trip this year.

Published Friday April 9, 2004

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