The harbour finished 2009 on a high note with fishing boats landing good shots right up to the last day of the year.
Whitefish totaled 5380 boxes from 10 Spanish and 2 Scottish vessels with once again monkfish, hake, ling and black sea bream the main species.The Scottish twin riggers Audacious and Adventurer made their final landings on the 17th & 20th of December respectively and tied up for a well earned rest.Both crews returned to sea on the 27th looking for a quick trip and big prices at the first market of 2010.The total number of boxes of whitefish landed in Ullapool for 2009 was 117,960, an increase of 480 boxes on the 2008 figures.
The shellfish fleet plugged away right up to Christmas week with the crabbers landing a total of 45 tonnes for the period. Fishing has been very good of late with some of the crabbers making mid week landings into Kinlochbervie.The local prawn fleet worked well in a period of settled weather, improved fishing and inflated festive prices.
In relative terms 2009 has been a busy year for Ullapool with estimated fish and shellfish values reaching a seven year high.
The non fishing sector saw 4 visits from the Anglian Prince in for fuel, repairs, stores and a crew change.
In the run up to Christmas emergency repairs to the damaged ferry berthing dolphin (Muirneag collision) were completed on time with the structure drilled, pinned and grouted. Further repairs to include underwater welding, repacking the infill and recapping the structure with the installation of 2 new bollards will take place hopefully in January, weather permitting.
The passenger ferry Isle of Lewis suffered a main engine breakdown immediately after Christmas with the vessel limping back to Stornoway on the 27th.There was no passenger service on the 28th, and the Clansman was called into service doing two sailings on the 29th and one on the 30th with the Isle of Lewis returning to the route on the afternoon of the 30th.
Aged 15-25 years by July 2011, interested in a life changing challenge crewing aboard a Tall Ship sailing the west coast of Scotland then contact the harbour office or check out the sail training website. www.sailtraininginternational.org
No sailing experience is required just an enthusiasm for fun and adventure, please contact the harbour if this type of adventure interests you.
UllapoolHarbour Trustees have recently purchased 2 acres of commercial land within the Morefield Industrial Estate to develop as a business park and rented storage area.In order to construct a draft business plan would interested parties please contact the harbour office over the next 3 weeks to discuss their requirements, no obligation at this stage.Container storage, rented compounds, boat storage, cold store and individual business developments are some ideas coming forward.
