29 Aug – 26 Sep 2023, 55 arrivals for the period
Whitefish totalled 4,900 boxes from three Scottish trawl, one Anglo long-liner and one Anglo freezer netter. The Banff registered Audacious made two landings of mixed fish from Rockall before heading east for a few weeks on the slipway. The Inverness registered Adventurer returned from her annual inspection in Denmark and made a landing of groundfish from the Shelf Edge. The Anglo effort was restricted to a long-liner landing hake and ling from west of Lewis, and a freezer netter landing processed at sea monkfish from deep-water.
The shellfish sector saw seventeen prawn landings from visiting trawlers, a single landing from a scallop dredger combined with the efforts of the resident fleet.
Non-fishing was limited to aquaculture vessels and cruise ships. Twenty-five aqua culture vessels called in for crew changes, fuel and day running to local farms. On the 26th, the latest addition to the fleet Inter Scotia (pictured) arrived direct from the Spanish shipbuilders to collect fuel, equipment and stores before starting work servicing Scottish fishfarms.
Six cruise liners dropped anchor in the bay and ferried over 7,000 passengers and crew to the harbour welcome marquee. The 58,000 tonne Spirit of Adventure on her maiden call surprised everyone when on departure she sailed south to the head of Lochbroom on a sightseeing tour before heading out to sea. All six visits were on good days with very little rain and wind. Great to see the village busy with these one day visitors looking for holiday gifts and souvenirs. Unfortunately, the final ship of the season cancelled on the 24th due to heavy rain and strong winds in the forecast. Next season looks to be the busiest yet with forty-nine visits in the diary.
Shore Street Project Update
Electrical contractors employed by BEAR Scotland have installed a trial section of seawall lighting that has been well received. The remainder of the wall will be fitted out at the end of October, which should herald the end of the project. The pontoon team has returned today 25th to complete the installation and adjust the breakwater mooring chains. The community-opening event is this Saturday 30th with all welcome to attend, see separate advert for details.
Trustee Vacancies
A board of seven appointed volunteer Trustees governs Ullapool harbour. This year three will stand down and the harbour is looking for suitably qualified, passionate and committed individuals to fill the vacancies, for further information please see full page advert.