May 2009
We have now acquired and moved into the former John S Duncan premises, comprising offices, shop, and large workshop/store.

This will enable us to improve our office accommodation and house our maintenance team and plant under one roof, as well as providing new onshore marina facilities.

May 2009
Homecoming Harbourfest – 26, 27, 28th June 2009

Last July saw a very successful Lifeboat Day and Yacht Regatta, with twenty visiting yachts from around the Moray Firth, which raised appreciable monies for the RNLI and sent all the racers home happy, so thanks to everyone involved.

Arrangements are already well under way to organise the next Wick Lifeboat Day to coincide with a ‘Homecoming Harbourfest’ in June ‘09, to celebrate our part in Scotland’s ‘Year of the Homecoming’. This will build on the success of the 2007 Harbourfest, with added attractions such as our new Marina in place, a ‘one-off’ re-enactment of the old ‘Herring Queen’ ceremony, last seen in 1953, and various visiting heritage vessels, etc. Various functions and entertainments are being planned and everything points to another great weekend for locals and visitors alike.

Check out the following links:
http://www.caithness.org/wickharbourfest/index.htm
http://www.caithness.org/wickharbourfest/wick_harbourfest.jpg

20th April 2009
We are pleased to announce that construction work on the new Marina has started on site this week with a projected completion date around 1st June ’09, thanks to funding for this long awaited development from the NDA / HIE, and the Crown Estate. We are disappointed that work has not started earlier, but inevitable delays with legal and procedural matters prevented us from awarding the contract to Varis Engineering from Forres until recently.

Our new booklet on Marina Terms and Conditions of Use, and 2009 Charges (incl. VAT) for all Leisure Berths are now available. View the Marina Booklet and Application Form - applications are now being taken.

You will note that all charges are the same as notified in April last year apart from a few minor adjustments. Marina berths are appreciably more expensive than quay berths, to justify our considerable investment, and are comparable to Orkney but much cheaper than Inverness and the Moray coast. Quay Wall berth costs have only increased slightly for those who wish to stay there.

See the Wick Marina page for 2009 discounts.

9th February 2009
Wick Annual 2008 Report on Light Outages.

January 2009
"It's Good News All Round" in the latest Harbour Newsletter, Harbour News, Issue 3 .

March 2008
The Moray Council dredger 'Shearwater', started in January on clearance of the River Harbour approach channel, but has been interrupted by technical problems, and has now restarted operations. Expected completion date is May/June.

After many months of negotiation with WHA and others, a Dutch company,TOCARDO TIDAL ENERGY BV, has announced that their local subsidiary, TOCARDO TIDAL ENERGY Ltd, www.tocardo.com is to set up a production and assembly facility for marine renewable energy devices at the old Dry Dock site, subject to planning approval.
This was made public at the recent Caithness Energy Alliance conference and exhibition in Edinburgh, which all attending deemed very successful. WHA are confident this could be the forerunner of much more interest in the Pentland Firth, which could spin off jobs and opportunities for local individuals and businesses.

Local businessman, William Munro, has started this month offering fast boat trips along the coast from the harbour, and WHA wish him every success in his new venture. See local press adverts and his website www.caithness-seacoast.co.uk for details.

New Harbour Byelaws came into force in January, the first major update since 1928 Copies are available free from the Office.

The rig 'Galaxy 11' unfortunately drilled a 'dry hole' off Wick in January, but there is likely to be interest from others in the area in the near future.

Details of our planned Marina Phase 2 (70 berths) are progressing well and we hope to be able to issue tenders in the near future once we have finalised the funding and have Board approval to proceed to construction.

We will again be attending the 'All Energy Exhibition' in Aberdeen in May to publicise and promote our facilities relative to the growing interest in Pentland Firth marine renewables.

1st March 2008
Wick Annual 2007 Report on Light Outages.

5th December 2007
Three ships in from Rostock in Germany with components for three wind turbines for Bilbster.

Jack-up rig Galaxy II expected soon to drill 14 miles east of Wick on Block 12/17b for Lundin.

7th November 2007
The dredging contract has been awarded for deepening the River Approach Channel, starting early January.

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