Audrey McKay

Lord of The Isles

The LOTI is now on its winter service between Lochboisdale and Mallaig with crossing of The Minch occurring on only three days a week:  Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays.  However the vessel will be absent from duty from 8^th November to the 27^th November as she is in dock for her annual refit.

During this time there will be no replacement vessel on the Lochboisdale to Mallaig run but a Lochboisdale to Oban service will operate everyday of the week except Tuesdays and Thursdays.

From Monday 28^th November 2016 (LOTI’s scheduled recommencement on the route) through to Tuesday 30^th March 2017 the following timetable will operate:

    Depart                       Arrive                        Dep                                  Arrive

Lochboisdale               Mallaig                    Mallaig                        Lochboisdale

Wednesday                       07.15                       10.45                         14.00                                 17.40

Saturday                            07.15                       10.45                         14.00                                 17.30

Sunday                              07.15                       10.45                         13.30                                 17.00

At the time of writing CalMac have given no indication what the frequency of the 2017 summer service will be or what vessels will operate either on the Lochboisdale to Mallaig run or the Mallaig – Armadale route.

Masterplan

Following the consultation period, drop-in sessions and public meeting, work is progressing on the production and finalisation of the Mallaig Harbour Masterplan.

The information gathered as a result of the aforementioned consultation is currently being assessed and further discussions with CalMac have been scheduled to ensure their future ferry requirements will be met via the new Masterplan.

Marine Protected Area

I list below the Authority’s response to the consultation process re the controversial plan for the

Small Isles Marine Protected Area:

“I would like to express views on the Small Isles Marine Protected Area on behalf of the Mallaig Harbour Authority.

Whilst the Mallaig Harbour Authority supports in principle the protection of vulnerable species that are listed within the OSPAR regulations you will not be surprised to learn that we support another vulnerable species, our local fishermen, and their legitimate and continued right to fish the waters of the Minch as they have done for generations.

Fishing brought prosperity to Mallaig and despite all the restrictions that have been placed upon the industry over the past twenty- thirty years or so it continues to bring financial benefit not only to the harbour but also the whole community.

Landings of fish/prawns at Mallaig is currently in the region of £9m per annum and this impacts financially on many of the industries in Mallaig not just the Harbour!

We are also concerned about the ongoing safety to the fishermen.  If precluded from a safe winter fishery by the upcoming legislation, to maintain income it is clear that the boats will have to fish elsewhere.  Elsewhere being other fishing grounds more exposed to the elements.

Survival of what’s left of the local fishing industry is of paramount importance to places like Mallaig and it is therefore extremely important that cognisance is taken of the fishermen’s own wish to survive.

No one is anti the introduction of MPA’s but the implementation of an MPA must surely be one that can co exist and complement the fishing industry.”

Robert MacMillan

CEO

BPA Retiral

After 25 years at the helm of the British Ports Association Director David Whitehead OBE has opted for a September retiral and is pictured here being presented with a celebratory bottle of Mallaig Harbour Water by Mallaig Harbour Authority CEO Robert MacMillan.  The occasion was a recent Scottish Ports Committee Meeting in Inverness.

David joined the port industry in 1990 as Director of Policy of the British Ports Federation and subsequently became Director of The British Ports Association.  He was awarded the OBE in 2011 for services to the ports industry.

Pier Works

As can be seen on the Harbour web-site a Notice to Mariners was issued by The Authority on 24^th August 2016 (it can be viewed in this edition of West Word) stating that remedial work has commenced on the fish quay landing berths by contractor Gairloch Support Services (GSS).

New piling, piling repairs and the replacement of the lower set of walings is due to take place along the length of the fish pier and will be carried out in sections in order to keep disruption to the fishing fleet to a minimum.

Replacement of the lower set of walings will involve a dive team so great care needs to be exercised by  sea going harbour users throughout the term of the contract.

Contractors GSS hope to have all works completed by early December 2016.

Engineers Wallace Stone will be overseeing the construction works on behalf of the Authority.

Masterplan

Earlier this year, in March 2016 to be exact, the Authority commissioned Fisher Associates to develop a Masterplan for Mallaig Harbour the purpose of which is to provide a structured framework for the development of Mallaig Harbour over the next 10 – 15 years.

Key Harbour Stakeholders, Authority Board Members and officials, Highland Council Planning,  Nevis Estate and Environmentalists etc have all been consulted so now is the opportunity for local villagers to be involved and have their say in the development process of the Masterplan.

You are therefore invited to attend the Masterplan Drop-in Sessions being held in the Mallaig & Morar Community Centre on Thursday 15^th September (10.30am – 12.30pm; 2pm – 4pm; 6pm – 8pm) and Friday 16^th September (10.30am – 12.30pm).

An Open/Public Meeting is also being held in the Community Centre on Friday 16^th September at 2pm.

Your views/thoughts/ideas are welcomed.