Harbour News 30th July – 12th August (23 arrivals for the period)
Whitefish totalled 2500 boxes from Anglo Spanish liners and netters. The regular lander Ayr Dawn continues to fish well with good weekly landings of hake and ling. The freezer netters Eder Sands and Brisan landed decent shots of monkfish and crab from deepwater grounds west of Rockall.
Shellfish catches were steady with a number of east coast trawlers calling in to land their catches, take ice and stores before returning to the Minch. The offshore crabber Heather K landed good hauls of crab, lobster and crayfish from creel grounds west of Lewis.
The new ferry infrastructure plans are progressing well; the main construction contract has gone out to tender, the replacement gangway is in the detailed design phase and structural changes to the passenger terminal are under review. The design of the new vessel has been agreed, with construction underway and an anticipated delivery date of mid July 2014. The current freight vessel Muirneag is coming to the end of her contract and will be withdrawn from service in September. Plans are progressing to find a suitable short-term replacement vessel until such time as the new ferry Loch Seaforth takes up the route.
The non-fishing sector was very quiet. The local fish farm support vessel Tie Venture made 4 calls and the Dutch schooner Wylde Swan made her long awaited return to the village. Wylde Swan has completed the first St Kilda voyage with 29 guests having a fantastic time in 28°C sunshine. Over the weekend 30 Loch Broom Sailing Club members sailed in local waters and landed on the Shiant Islands. Next up 2 trips to St Kilda in what looks to be fairly unsettled weather; fingers crossed that the forecast is as inaccurate as ever.
Scrap Metal Amnesty
The scarp amnesty is going very well with several tonnes of high quality metal being kindly donated to the cause. Many thanks to all concerned for your continuing generosity and support which is very much appreciated by all concerned.
Once again Ullapool High School has plans to compete in the Greenpower electric car challenge in 2013, qualifying round at Aintree and hopefully the national final at Goodwood. The home-built supercar Insane Bolt requires further modifications plus additional funds are required for the 2 trips south. Ullapool Harbour Trust collected almost £3000 for the project in 2012 by selling scrap metal kindly donated by local businesses and the community. If you have any old scrap getting under your feet please ring the Harbour Office to arrange collection on 01854 612 724. Many thanks in anticipation