Wick Harbour Authority

Onshore and Offshore Wind today at Wick Harbour.

Another shipment of onshore wind cargo & new CTV “World Scirocco” in port working on Moray East windfarm activities.

To All Stakeholders,

DOG FOULING

We are regularly receiving reports of persistent dog fouling around the harbour.

Most recently from various contractors working in and around the port.  Dog mess is prevalent on all quays , it has been found on pallets where equipment is stored upon, in about fishing gear and over at the office and on public walkways.  It has come to the stage where we must take action.  Not only is this anti-social behaviour unsightly, it is highly dangerous to health and is also against the law.

The local Highland Council dog warden will be regularly patrolling the area, 2 new bins will be provided – 1 on Commercial Quay and 1 on Mart Jetty. This is in addition to the 3 dog bins already located around the harbour. Harbour staff will be reviewing CCTV footage from around the port. Action will be taken against any dog owners not picking up their dog`s mess.

Please – everyone , be respectful, and do your bit to keep the harbour safe and clean for all users.

MALCOLM BREMNER

HARBOURMASTER

One in, one out… another cargo ship this time the Hohe Bank in with onshore wind components for Halsary. Some super photos courtesy of Alan McGee Images, Margaret Fox and wur own Ian.

Seafast Maritime`s new vessel Damen vessel Isle of Jura in today.

Cargo Ship Bonacieux in with a shipment of onshore wind farm components. This is the first shipment with a further 5 or 6 ships to follow. The next 2 are due to arrive this Sunday 20/9 – weather permitting. The blades are coming from Tarranto , Italy with the tower sections from El Ferrol, Northern Spain. Turbines parts from Germany.

Today we fly the Red Ensign at the Pilot House Flagpole to mark Merchant Navy Day . The Red Ensign flag, which we are flying today is the recognised flag of the Merchant Navy .

Since 2000, Merchant Navy Day on 3rd September has honoured the brave men and women who kept the UK afloat during both World Wars, and celebrated our dependence on modern day merchant seafarers who are responsible for more than 90% of the UK’s imports, including almost half the food we eat, much of the fuel we use, and virtually all the products and goods we tend to take for granted. #RedEnsign #MerchantNavyDay

Some of you might have spotted the yacht Good Dog in our marina . Skippered by Mark Ashley Miller they are undertaking the Harbour Master Sailing Challenge circumnavigating the UK promoting the work of the Seafarers UK charity. Here is a short video Mark sent us today . #MerchantNavyDay #RedEnsign

Video

Arrival 29 August 2020 Cargo vessel Sea Harmony in with Lime shipment.

Port Information Notice Coronavirus COVID19 Maritime Declaration of Health Aug 2020

Following the recent easing of lockdown Wick Harbour has seen a marked resurgence in business, and enquiries across all areas.

MARINA

Our Marina reopened to users in July and we have been delighted with the numbers of yachts choosing to visit.  The marina continues to be one of our success stories at Wick Harbour and we have just completed a full refurbishment of the marina deck and associated services.

CARGO

At the end of July/beginning August, 3 shipments of towhead structures were successfully discharged at the North Pier before making their way out to the Subsea 7 Wester Site.

A significant cargo of on shore wind blade and turbines is due into the harbour Aug/Sept. These shipments will be delivered by up to 7 cargo vessels.  We recently increased our laydown area on Commercial Quay and this, combined with other  areas around the harbour, offers our customers a very useful facility for storage. Often the windfarm sites, for a variety of reasons, may not always be ready to accept the component parts.  Harbour storage/laydown is ideal for their requirements which also boosts harbour revenue,  in addition to the usual berthing and cargo charges.   We also continue to see our usual cargoes of coal, lime and fuel.

FISHING

The fishing industry nationally has suffered greatly along with many others due to the COVID 19 pandemic.  Markets remain uncertain, with the added complication surrounding Brexit negotiations – confidence is not at its highest level at the moment.  However, local skippers continue to invest in the industry with 2 new trawlers arriving in Wick post lockdown.  It is good see such commitment in uncertain times.

Shellfish vessels and landings remain consistent and an important part of the harbour infrastructure. Fish landings by value are expected to be less than last year mainly due to the pandemic, but hopefully things will improve for this sector in the near future.

OFFSHORE WIND

BOWL – currently operating their full complement of 6 Crew Transfer Vessels berthed within their leased area. Due to the COVID 19 situation, painting and cleaning operations on the windfarm site have been suspended meantime.  Once this restriction is lifted, the maintenance operation will most probably resume Spring/Summer 2021. This should result in the harbour benefiting from a substantial increase in vessel activity as they seek to catch up on their works programme.

DEVELOPING WINDFARMS IN MORAY FIRTH – As work gets underway on the developing wind farm sites, Wick Harbour is dealing with a number of contractor enquiries, some of these having already come to fruition. We already have a base within the harbour set up for one company, with another due to follow within the next few weeks.  Both companies have indicated that they will be based in Wick for up to 2 years, whilst construction works take place.  One company is presently operating 2 Crew Transfer Vessels but have advised the likelihood is that more will follow. The other is initially intending to have 3 vessels operating from Wick, with more to follow as the project expands.

They have also indicated that crew changes to larger offshore vessels could be facilitated through Wick , with significant numbers of personnel arriving and departing from the harbour on a weekly basis.

We have a high degree of confidence that more business will follow as the windfarms in the Moray Firth further develop and come on stream.

The recent publication of the Marine Sectoral Plan demonstrates that Wick is well placed geographically and commercially to attract future developers to the port. A further strength is the strong skills base within the county.

HIGH WATER PROTECTION GATE

The High Water Protection Gate is regarded by Wick Harbour Authority as key to the port`s future expansion. The gate will in effect allow us to double our safe berthing capacity on a year-round basis, making use of existing infrastructure which is currently not achieving its full potential, due to swell conditions caused by easterly gales.

Currently we are in the process of appointing a consultancy to further assist and develop the business case for the High Water Protection Gate, and the socio economic benefits it will bring to the harbour and the wider Caithness economy.

The opportunities presented by the developing windfarms in the Moray Firth basin are huge for Wick and the north economy.   The potential increase in berthing space presented by the HWPG would give the area a fantastic opportunity to provide high value employment, possible new business start-ups, as well as existing businesses benefiting from increased income.