SCARBOROUGH almost lost one of its most popular tourist attractions after routine winter maintenance revealed a bigger repair was needed.

The MV Coronia, which helped evacuate troops from Dunkirk in 1940 and first came to Scarborough in 1951, developed 15 small holes while its hull was shot-blasted.

And, as a result, the original  40,000 estimate spiralled to a six-figure repair bill which, if the necessary work was not carried out, could have led to the vessel going out of service.

Tom Machin, the vessel’s 59-year-old owner, said he was hoping the vessel would be back in service soon.

The Coronia went to Hull in February for the planned work, which is similar to a car’s MoT and makes sure boats are seaworthy, could be carried out.

He said the original work involved checking the bottom of the boat and making sure its paintwork was thick enough. He said: “While it was being shot-blasted it created 15 small holes.”

Mr Machin said the holes were all up to 0.25in diameter and could have been caused by impurities in the steel used to make the boat’s hull in the 1930s.

He said: “There were impurities in the steel and the shot-blasting brought them out. They could have remained there and probably never came out. Safety has to come first. We’ve had to fight to keep her, she is such a big part of Scarborough’s heritage.”

Mr Machin said thousands of people had come to the harbour asking about Coronia while she was away for repairs. Last year she carried 30,000 passengers.

He said: “If the harbour was without Coronia it would be too bad. It wouldn’t be the same without her.

From The Scarborough Evening News on Saturday, July 21, 2007.