Oban Trust Port consultation

[cpedw]

Oban Community Harbour Development Association (OCHDA) have been busy developing the proposal for a Trust Port at Oban.

They have opened a consultation on where the limits of the Trust Port could be located. You are urged to take part in the consultation by 11th December if you have any interest in Oban Harbour.

They have also established a website where you can find more information.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Consultation filled in. I am glad that CalMac's attempt to seize the whole place as their private playground was thrown out. Many of the problems in Oban would be solved if their skippers learned (a) the IRPCS and (b) some manners.

 

[FlyingGoose]

Completed thanks

 

[dunedin]

Ditto thanks for flagging.
Out of interest, what are people’s thoughts on these boundaries?
Personally the Northern one seems reasonable, due to the amount of commercial traffic, but the Southern one seems unnecessarily empire building. Can’t see why needs to be beyond a direct line across the entrance to Kerrera Sound - ie Minard Point to Rubha Scanach (? Can’t read exactly on chartlet), so that is what I suggested.

 

[cpedw]

At a presentation very early this year (before cruise ships were locked away), the southern semicircle was proosed to incorporate more cruise ship anchorages down there. I think that motivation has more or less disappeared - it would be a long transfer by tender to the town.
I think I agree that the straight line could usefully be a bit further north.

 

[FlyingGoose]

Ditto thanks for flagging.
Out of interest, what are people’s thoughts on these boundaries?
Personally the Northern one seems reasonable, due to the amount of commercial traffic, but the Southern one seems unnecessarily empire building. Can’t see why needs to be beyond a direct line across the entrance to Kerrera Sound - ie Minard Point to Rubha Scanach (? Can’t read exactly on chartlet), so that is what I suggested.

Oh how the great minds connect?
I put those thoughts down on my form, cannot see why the semi circle takes in kerra and the area around it,
But I am sure there is an explanation , just not one telling us in detail
Covid has flagged up issues with HB s down South , with then using bylaws and the power to use them. One hopes that Oban HTrust have a open view to sailing and boating within their confines
I also replied in regards to how open the HB will be as Oban is a major boating and tourist hub for all of Scotland , and we do not want to see to much localisim going on
Clearly these are my own thoughts and hopefully an amicable solution will be found for all

 

[wully1]

Ditto thanks for flagging.
Out of interest, what are people’s thoughts on these boundaries?
Personally the Northern one seems reasonable, due to the amount of commercial traffic, but the Southern one seems unnecessarily empire building. Can’t see why needs to be beyond a direct line across the entrance to Kerrera Sound - ie Minard Point to Rubha Scanach (? Can’t read exactly on chartlet), so that is what I suggested.

The southern limit is far to far down the sound. Ferry Rock would be more suitable - a line at Kilbowie even more suitable.

 

[dunedin]

The southern limit is far to far down the sound. Ferry Rock would be more suitable - a line at Kilbowie more suitable.

Did you suggest this in the consultation response?

 

[mainsail1]

I have suggested that the the Port of Oban should not extend further than Kerrera Sound in each direction. Maybe even that is too far?

 

[wully1]

Did you suggest this in the consultation response?

Yes.

 

[dunedin]

I have suggested that the the Port of Oban should not extend further than Kerrera Sound in each direction. Maybe even that is too far?

Personally I can see why they need to extend a bit outside the Sound at the North entrance, as the ferries etc commit in the last half mile or so
But the South, no.

 

[Quandary]

I probably do not use the harbour often enough in the year to be entitled to comment but it seems to me that approaching from the south, as I tend to do, the harbour seems to begin in Kerrera Sound just north of the ferry, as the demand for moorings increases (perhaps it wont?) the harbour might even continue to extend further south. Kerrera is the breakwater that makes Oban a harbour sheltered enough to have the traffic of a port. The ferry from Colonsay used to be able to come in by the Sound though I think recently it may go round to come in by the North entrance
So why only control part of it?

 

[cpedw]

I probably do not use the harbour often enough in the year to be entitled to comment ...

On the contrary, I think they are inviting comment from everyone with any interest in the matter. The consultation includes questions on how frequent and what type of user you are.

The ferry from Colonsay used to be able to come in by the Sound though I think recently it may go round to come in by the North entrance

None of the CALMAC ferries use the Sound of Kerrerra any longer though it can be busy with fishing boats, yachts and the multitude of small cruis ships that were proliferating up to this year.

I still have nightmares about the dark night when we were heading south past the Ferry Rocks as the Waverley came north. Mesmerised by the sight and sound of the Waverley, it was late in the day when I noticed the Lord of the Isles close behind. It felt like there wasn't much room for all of us.

 

[dunedin]

None of the CALMAC ferries use the Sound of Kerrerra any longer though it can be busy with fishing boats, yachts and the multitude of small cruis ships that were proliferating up to this year.

Are you sure? Pretty sure I saw the Colonsay ferry heading out that way down Kerrera this year. It was well done the Sound, so can’t be 100% sure, but think I looked it up on AIS to see what ship it was

 

[FlyingGoose]

Are you sure? Pretty sure I saw the Colonsay ferry heading out that way down Kerrera this year. It was well done the Sound, so can’t be 100% sure, but think I looked it up on AIS to see what ship it was

I have also been passed by a large cal Mac ferry heading South for the last two years

 

[cpedw]

It's just my observation. It could be that some of their boats still go down the Sound but Colonsay is often served by the Clansman which is bigger than Lord of the Isles so that could make the difference.

 

[Minchsailor]

I would be surprised if they could get the Clansman down past Ferry Rocks, even thee Lord of the Isles must be a bit tight.

 

[awol]

Certainly the Righ nan Eilan used to go south via the Sound of Kererra though I haven't witnessed her/him? doing so since they added a red buoy at the Ferry Rocks.

 

[Donside]

Naive question, what are the implications of this proposal for us yachties?
I‘ve looked over the documentation mentioned and don’t know how that would affect us.
Regulation of entry and exit for large vessels I’d appreciate, what other power would they have?
If that’s it, then control of Kerrera Sound would be sensible surely?

 

[awol]

Had CMA (Calmac) had their way and become the harbouir authority the impact would, I believe, have been detrimental to all leisure users, The voluntary Code of Practice worked pretty well and I expect a continuation of the philosophy. There were occasions of pure bad manners and bullying in the past (NLV Pharos on one notorius occasion at the start of a yacht race comes to mind).