9th September 2009
We were delighted to welcome the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, to formally open our new marina. A lovely sunny day greeted the arrival of the Princess and 140 invited guests and a large crowd of well wishers.

After meeting several local crews on the marina, she spent time chatting to every guest ashore, before unveiling a Caithness stone plaque, which eventually will be placed at the entrance gate. Chairman Willie Watt thanked her for her support and invited Adam Miller of the Isabella Fortuna to present her with his beautifully hand made rigging block desk pen holder. After receiving her gift she said a few words of congratulations and encouragement to Willie and his Board, and wished Wick well for the future. Willie finally presented her with ‘his and hers’ Wick Harbourfest 58 deg N T-shirts, and hoped we would see her and her husband sail into the marina wearing them soon!

At an evening reception later two of our guests, John and Marie Christine Ridgway gave a fascinating presentation on their adventures around the world, and were also presented with one of Adam Miller’s pen holder blocks. Thanks to everyone involved for a great day.

For more photos of the opening and local interest see:-
Wick Marina Opening Photos

29th August 2009
Quick stop for a pair of intrepid US sailors raising money for wounded servicemen after having crossed the Atlantic in a tiny flatboat.  See the link below on ‘Church and Chips’.  Reached London the following Friday.  Well done.
Church and Chips for US Sailors

June 2009
Homecoming Harbourfest and RNLI Lifeboat Day ’09 held during the last weekend in June was a spectacular success, with thousands thronging the quays in glorious weather.

Friday night saw a re-enactment of the old Herring Queen ceremony which fell into abeyance in 1953. Our ‘Queen’ Lynsey Bremner was conveyed into the harbour aboard our local fifie, the Isabella Fortuna, and then moved in procession to the stage where she was crowned by Mrs Ray Richard, Herring Queen in 1939. Many locals and returning exiles had a tear in their eye during this evocative and emotional evening.

On Saturday there were over forty charity stalls offering a huge variety of attractions from fast food to heritage photo prints, and all were well satisfied with the additions to their coffers.

Forty six visiting vessels packed the new marina, ranging from the restored former Kirkwall lifeboat, the Grace Paterson Ritchie, to a genuine forty foot Canadian canoe which took fourteen young people at a time on trips around the harbour. Many yachts attended from the Moray coast, some from further afield, and we are indebted to all the crews who made the effort to support us. There was also a varied programme of water based activities, with kayak displays, Red Cross rescue demos, local small boat action, and a round of the Scottish Triathlon competition. Sumburgh Rescue helicopter also attended but was unable to do its winching exercise with Wick Lifeboat, due to lack of wind! Yes, the weather was that good in Wick!

Sunday saw the well attended quayside Blessing of the Fleet service by the Salvation Army, followed by the spectacular sailaway of the fleet. A Hymns of the Sea service was held in the evening to round off a wonderful weekend of maritime heritage and nostalgia.

Check out the links below for more stories and photos.
Wick Harbour Bustles Again as the Sun Shines
Photos on the Caithness.org Forums
Photo Gallery on Caithness.org

June 2009
Varis Engineering from Forres have completed installation of our new marina and everyone agrees it’s looking great, and should be a great addition to the harbour and our income. Thanks to them for a good job well done. Initial responses from visiting skippers are very positive, highlighting plenty space to manoeuvre and on berth, stable walkways and fingers, water and power on berth, good security, and close to the town centre.

It is already covered by CCTV and Wifi coverage will be available soon. We are currently working on fuelling, waste pump-out, and possibly providing new showers, toilets and shore facilities in our new office and store complex.