48 arrivals for the period
Whitefish totalled 8,500 boxes from 7 Anglo Spanish and 7 Scottish vessels. Having fished well for the past few months the Anglo fleet are now starting to head home for their summer break. The Scottish trawlers continue to plunder the Rockall squid population which has been exceptional this year, demand and prices have remained steady throughout.
Shellfish landings have once again been high with a few North Sea prawn trawlers still plundering the Minch. Catches have been reasonable although the local fleet report that returns are now dwindling, little wonder given the fishing effort of late. The offshore crabbers are back after their annual refits and a couple of visiting dredgers landed a few hundred bags of scallops from local waters.
Non-fishing saw the Marine Scotland research vessel Alba na Mara in for a crew change, HMS Explorer in for stores, the support barge Ailsa in for a layover, the cable laying ship Rene Descartes in for crew, the fishery protection vessel Minna in for Round The Pier Day and the Wylde Swan returned to her second home. The specialist ships Rene Descartes and Ailsa are currently working on trenching a new high speed broadband connection from Ardmair to Lewis.
Ferry works continue to proceed almost as planned. The pier extension and associated concreting is progressing well, the terminal building steel roof has been erected and the PAS (gangway) is taking shape with 70 % already delivered to Ullapool. The remaining PAS components required further engineering and will be delivered by ship later this month with the system fully commissioned by mid September. The new vessel is still under construction / fit out with an anticipated delivery in mid September and taking up the route in mid October. The replacement Linkspan (car ramp) project continues at pace with contractors drilling 2 test boreholes to ascertain ground conditions; this information is required to inform the overall design of the lifting dolphins and bankseat/road connection.
Once again the Trust would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by the ongoing works, and to thank everyone for being so patient and understanding, rest assured it will be worth it.
Tall Ships the Dutch schooner Wylde Swan arrived from Bergen last Saturday afternoon with 11 UHS students and 1 teacher/chaperone onboard. The harbour sponsored 7 day trip was a roaring success with all concerned very reluctant to pack up and leave the vessel. Wylde Swan departed the following morning on the first St Kilda voyage with 36 eager passengers looking forward to the adventure. Currently the ship is sailing through the Sound of Harris in fairly heavy seas and will wait for a lull before heading further west.
The next St Kilda voyage 6th – 9th and the Scottish Isles trip 10th – 17th are fully subscribed, there are a few places left for the third St Kilda trip 17th – 20th August. The Statsraad Lehmkuhl reception on the 16th August is almost sold out with a few tickets remaining, see full page advert for more details or contact kevin@ullapool-harbour.co.uk
The glazing units previously advertised have all been spoken for and collected.
The harbour received 4 offers for the surplus Marshall trailer and has accepted the highest bid, many thanks to all concerned.