News & Events

Further information for those wishing to take part in the above commemoration is now available by following the attached link.

WICK SEAFARERS MEMORIAL GROUP BLACK SATURDAY MEMORIAL SERVICE

Tuesday 7th August 2019

In addition to the Hebridean Princess we also have the Marine Society and Sea Cadet flagship TS Royalist in – she has just arrived into the River Harbour pier. Aboard are 10 permanent crew and 24 sea cadets . Her home port is Gosport and she was built in 2014/2015 . She was named by the Princess Royal and is a faster more manoeuvrable vessel than the previous training vessel.

Tuesday 7th August 2019

Delighted to welcome the Hebridean Princess and her passengers today to Wick. A majestic sight in Wick Bay.

Hebridean Princess due to visit beginning of next week – keep an eye out for her in the bay.

July 25 2019

Dear Harbour User

WICK SEAFARER`S MEMORIAL GROUP – BLACK SATURDAY ANNIVERSARY

On behalf of the Seafarer`s Memorial Group I extend a warm invitation to you to take part in a short service of remembrance on Sunday 18 August 2019 to mark the anniversary of Black Saturday. This will involve a short wreath laying service in Wick Bay following a 2 minutes silence. All vessels are invited to take part in the flotilla which will depart Wick Harbour led by Wick Lifeboat and the Isabella Fortuna.

By 1848 in Wick numbers of both boats and men had increased significantly . Some 800 vessels were operating in the area, supported by approx. 3500 fishermen. On the afternoon of Friday 18 August, most of the Wick fleet set sail for the fishing grounds. All was calm but by midnight a deadly storm was approaching the fleet. Some boats “ran for home” managing to successfully shelter from the storm. Unfortunately, others were not so lucky as the tide had fallen by the time they arrived in Wick Bay early Saturday morning. As they attempted to navigate the harbour entrance, many boats were thrown onto the rocks and piers due to the ferocity of the storm combined with the low tide. Official records state that 37 lives were lost.
The event became known as “Black Saturday”. Following this tragedy, an enquiry was held and this led to many safety changes including a deeper harbour, partly decked boats, a barometer in every Scottish port and the River Harbour developed.

It would be helpful if you could contact the Harbour Office by email office@wickharbour.co.uk or by telephone 01955 602030 to confirm your attendance so we have an idea of numbers of vessels taking part. Further details and timings will be distributed nearer to the time once vessels numbers are known.

Yours sincerely

MALCOLM BREMNER IAN CORMACK
HARBOURMASTER DEPUTE HARBOURMASTER

Wick Gala kicks off on Saturday 27 July 2019 with the Crowning Ceremony of the Gala Queen followed by the annual procession through the town. There is a fun filled week of activities planned by the hard working Gala Committee culminating with the Bonfire and Firework Display at the Riverside on Saturday 3 August 2019.

Wick Harbour is once again the venue for the Blessing of the Fleet Service this Sunday 28 July 2019 at 3pm. All welcome.

It has been another busy couple of months at the harbour. In June we celebrated the RNLI Wick Lifeboat Day, welcoming a small visiting yacht flotilla to the harbour. Harbour Day raised the excellent sum of £11,836.75 in support of the local lifeboat. Well done to all the crew and the fundraising committee, who put such effort into harbour day.

We have seen a rise in calls from cargo vessels over the last few weeks . Various fuel cargo deliveries from the Antares. The Scot Trader was in port 8 June 2019 with a delivery of pipes followed by the Baltica Hav, Fluvius Plym, Lady Ariane and Eastern Virage again with pipe cargo during the month of June.

Royal Navy Archer class patrol vessels HMS Puncher, Example and Explorer visited the harbour July 2019. We welcomed the Hebridean Princess into Wick Bay 17 July 2019 . She anchored in the bay and tendered her passengers to Wick Marina . We look forward to welcoming her passengers again on 26 July 2019 and then in August. It is great to see Wick being chosen as a stop on their 2019 itineraries. On shore excursions have included Old Pulteney Distillery, various local archaeological sites and our award winning Wick Heritage Centre. Keep a look out for her next visits…

We currently have 11 Crew Transfer Vessels working from the harbour supporting the various operations out at the windfarm . The Marine Operations building ( old D Steven building ) will be officially opened on the 29 July 2019.

It has been an extremely busy season so far with over 200 visiting yachts. We have welcomed yachts from throughout the UK, Norway, Netherlands, France, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Faroes, Belgium, Poland, Germany, USA , Canada & Russia. Is wonderful to see the colour and activity around the marina from all the boats both local and those from afar.

A new fishing boat has arrived to join the local fleet of vessels operating from the harbour. We welcome the Reaper and wish Peter Sinclair and Donald Anderson well at the fishing .

photo courtesy Barry Scollay

Finally it is super to see the scaffold down from the cellar gates and our flower tubs and baskets all in bloom . Grateful thanks to everyone involved with the Flower Baskets Committee for all their hard work helping to brighten up the harbour area and town beyond – ” Week Warks Weel ” indeed.