Press Release

WEIGHBRIDGE NUMBER 2 PIER

 

Following the decision at the March meeting to install a new 50 Tonne capacity Weighbridge at Number 2 Pier, the Stornoway Port Authority Board at its May meeting decided to look into the demolition of the old concrete built Weighing Office and replace it with a Glass Fibre Modular Type Building .

 

This was decided after consideration of a report by Harbour Master Captain Torquil Macleod, which pointed out that the existing building did not offer a suitable option for housing the computer and weighing software for the new Weighbridge. The report pointed out that preliminary consultation had already taken place with the Comhairle's Planning Department to establish the best way ahead.

 

Subject to agreement with the Planning Department as to the type and materials to be used in the replacement building, the Board approved of obtaining competitive tenders for demolition of the old weighing office and purchase of a modular building.

 

The Board noted the further advantage of being able to relocate a modular type building to another site within the harbour should the Weigh Bridge be relocated to the Number 1 Pier Area as part of ongoing harbour improvements at a future date.

NUMBER 1 PIER LINKSPAN

 

Stornoway Port Authority announces the award of a contract to R J Macleod (Contractors) Ltd for the repair to the steel piling of the Number 1 Pier Linkspan Dolphin and the installation of a Cathodic Protection (Anode) System, following a competitive tendering process.

 

In common with many other steel piled marine structures in the UK , Stornoway's Number 1 Pier Linkspan piling is suffering from Accelerated Low Water Corrosion which has eaten into some of the sheet piling and requires patching with new steel plates.

 

The Port Authority decided that the continuing provision of Number 1 Pier Linkspan was of high priority when awarding the repairs contract amounting to some £136,000 excluding Consultancy Fees and Site Supervision costs.

 

Commenting Chief Executive John J Maclennan said "It is vital to have two Operational Linkspans at Stornoway, not only to meet the needs of the two ferries but also to provide essential back up in the event of a linkspan having to be withdrawn from service or closure of a berth for maintenance purposes.

 

Given the usage of Number 1 Pier and Linkspan, the Authority in the medium term aspires to replacing the existing infrastructure with completely new facilities should a funding opportunity arise".

 

DEBRIS CLEARANCE: STORNOWAY HARBOUR GLUMAIG BAY

 

Stornoway Port Authority announces the award of a contract for Debris Clearance from the Glumaig Bay / Arnish Anchorage areas of the Harbour following receipt of competitive tenders.

 

This work was approved at a recent meeting of the Port Authority Board following consideration of a report by the Harbour Master Captain Torquil Macleod, recommending that these areas be swept and cleaned.

 

The Shetland based firm of Delta Marine Ltd is to commence clearance work within the next week using heavy "creeper" type gear designed principally to locate and remove wire hawsers, old chains etc. The cost of the operation which will last for six days is in excess of £15,000.

 

Commenting Chief Executive John J Maclennan said, "The Port Authority incurred costs in excess of £50,000 clearing debris from the seabed in this important Anchorage Area just over 3 years ago. Much of the removed debris then consisted of old Trawl Warps and it is anticipated that this clearance operation will result in removing similar material, some of which may have been dumped in the intervening period.

 

The Port Authority would again remind all Harbour Users that the dumping of all litter at sea is illegal and any persons found dumping Trawl Wires or any other debris in the Harbour Limits will be prosecuted. With the installation of digital CCTV at Arnish Point there is now excellent surveillance coverage in the Anchorages. We would appeal to all users to stop the illegal practice of dumping at sea."

 

The Anchorages are used by a variety of vessels calling at Stornoway, including the larger Cruise Liners which are too big to berth alongside the main Piers.