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Report of Meeting at NLB of Oban Port Users Group 29.11.08 @ 1430

Present: Martin Gorringe (Argyll + Bute Council), Kenny Devine (MCA), Peter Tosh (Fisherman's Assoication), Jim Pirrie (NLB) and Robert Kincaid (ACBA)

The previous Code of Practice information sheet for vessels in Oban Bay is being updated to include the sea plane landing area and VHF 12 information. New version to be printed in March 2009 MCA/Police.

Plans for the pontoons (Oban Bay Marine) have been approved with a suitable size of gap to allow access to the south side of the North Pier.

Calmac works on the link spans is complete and functioning. CMAL is to finish the lighting and fencing. Railway pier berthing will be on a first come first served basis with composite dues for fishing vessels and dues for charter/visitor vessels to be reviewed in March.

Port Beag development – Oban Marine (Kerrera) would like to develop this area so as to have parking and a pontoon for their ferry service. Doubt as to whether there is adequate water depth and there is a private mooring in the way. This cannot be moved to seaward because of NLB access and a shore mooring belonging to them.

There are 14 local fishing vessels in Oban and 15 to 20 working from Oban with only berths for eight at present. Some vessels are having to berth at the landing pier. There is possible development of the area from the Lismore Ferry slip to Port Beag to aid the fishing vessels.

Alan McLeod of Ee-usk on the North Pier is causing problems by not wanting vessels berthing at the pier and thus obstructing his customers' view. He has a lease of land 2m wide round all his buildings and access. This, A+BC think, was a mistake.

There is no proposal for developing a Harbour Authority for Oban. Calmac, A+BC and NLB have set up a joint association forming a web page as an information portal and each also has a presence in the Ports of Scotland publication. Domain names have been bought but this has to be developed as yet.

I queried what was in place to check a spillage of oil or fuel in Oban harbour area. Each pier has an action plan and some defence boom and work wear for this situation. A+BC has available larger amounts of equipment at close hand to the bay. If a major spill was involved then Briggs would be called in with lots of plant.

NLB have set aside 50 days for cruise ship usage of their pier with Hebridean Princess taking about 30 of these. Vessels up to 100m and 5m draught may use this facility by prior contact. One Mr Dunderdale of Invergordon has been active in creating interest in drawing cruise ships to Scotland through a company called Cruise Scotland.

Next meeting 11^th March 09 @ 1430

Robert Kincaid