42 Arrivals for the Period
Whitefish totalled 3,400 boxes from three Anglo-Spanish long-liners, one Anglo-Spanish netter and a Scottish trawler. The Anglo fleet is slowly returning to the area having worked further north for several months and the Sottish trawler Aquarius continues to fish at Rockall for haddock and monkfish.
Shellfish has been fairly quiet; there were 17 prawn landings from visiting vessels and the local fleet. The Oban-based scallopers Rois Mairi and Summer Rose made unexpected landings due to foul weather and the offshore crabber Our Hazel worked away landing good hauls of brown crab weekly for the China market.
The non-fishing sector was very busy with 14 arrivals for the period. First off, the Marine Scotland research vessel Scotia called in to change gear and personnel before heading off on a deepwater trawl survey along the Wyville-Thomson Ridge. Scotia has been surveying deepwater fish communities for over 30 years; for any interested readers, they’ve published a number of informative publications on the internet – see https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235900243_Deepwater_Trawl_Survey_Manual
Cruise ships Prinsendam and Star Breeze made maiden calls and Europa and Hebridean Princess came and went in typically mixed weather conditions. The final call of the season from Black Watch was cancelled last week due to one of the many storms of late. The 2018 season has been the busiest by far with 31 ships bringing 26,000 passengers and crew to the village. The orange buoy scheme has proved a great success with all businesses involved reporting increased takings on cruise days. Many thanks to all concerned for getting on-board and a special thanks to the Ullapool Museum team for their continued support.
The two Dutch Tall Ships Wylde Swan and Tecla completed their annual adventure voyages and headed home in stormy conditions. Wylde Swan with 18 passengers on-board sailed from Ullapool to Harlingen in 80 hours averaging 8kts under full sail. Tecla headed south with eight passengers to Mull and Oban before taking the Caledonian Canal to the North Sea and home. Please check both ships’ websites over the winter months as they plan to return in 2019 for more incredible adventures on the high seas.
The fish farm vessels Settler, Gerda Saele and Ronja Commander called in for shelter, the Inter Caledonia called in for their monthly crew change and finally the Ievoli Black emergency towing vessel called in for fuel and a crew change.
Loopallu 2018 has come and gone once again. Many thanks to our customers and harbour users for their patience and understanding over the days leading up to and including the event weekend.
Congratulations to Ullapool Museum whose volunteers have picked up the prestigious national “Volunteers in Museum Learning Award” in London; what great recognition for a group of dedicated locals.
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