The fish-merchants have mainly stopped buying as demand has stopped from wholesalers: initially for one month, so few landings are expected between now and the end of April at least.

A report from last week:-- https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/mar/18/coronavirus-severe-shock-to-uk-fishing-as-markets-dry-up

However some good-ish news, just come in:--

Dear Members,  For those of you who haven’t seen it, Fergus Ewing has announced £5m financial support for the in-shore fishermen   https://www.gov.scot/news/support-for-seafood-fishing-industry/    It will be administered through Marine Scotland via a letter to all qualified vessel owners and associations. Initial payment of 50% average of two months’ salary (based on 2019 average earnings).There is an email address if any queries.seafisheriesintervention@gov.uk

Keep safe everyone.

Ros Rosalind McArthur, EMFF Programme Coordinator, Forth FLAG

-------------------

Here above is a photo from happier times. Sea Breeze, a beautiful boat, colour and proportions.

You have already received our Covid 19 statement a few days ago. Here is a photo of our main harbour as never before seen -- empty of boats and people. No-one knows what the future holds for the harbour but, rest assured, we’ll update you as soon as possible. Meanwhile keep yourself safe!

Payments:  “The Harbour Trust remains very grateful for the financial support it continues to receive from all harbour users, but recognises that some people will be very hard-hit financially as a result of the coronavirus crisis. The Trust has agreed a reduction in mooring fees of 50%, with the following requirements:- The fee is paid by the due date of 31st March, there are no further refunds irrespective of the future status of restrictions throughout the sailing season and any hard-standing charges are paid in full."

Photos by Kenny Maule

Click <<READ MORE>> to see what a busy harbour should look like!

Work has now been postponed on the Maggie project due to Covid 19, however the latest information is:

Due to site levels, the number of stores has reduced to 5x single units to fit the site constraints, but this will have no impact on available units to let to fishermen. There will be 3x lettable units and 1x garage for the fishermens' forklift. The final unit will be for Harbourmaster use.

Work had started on-site with AG Thomson working on the foundations and slab. A concrete access ramp will eventually follow when possible and then the timber kit.

Photo by Kenny Maule

These are the websites for general government and RYA advice. You may need to refer them as the rules update, or even improve:--

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-shipping-and-sea-ports-guidance/guidance-for-shipping-and-sea-ports-on-coronavirus-covid-19

https://www.admiralty.co.uk/news/all-news/ukho-response-to-covid-19

https://www.forthports.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Notice-to-Mariners-No-06-of-2020-Forth-Ports-Marine-Group-COVID-19-Guidance-Revised-11-03-2020.pdf

https://www.rya.org.uk/newsevents/news/Pages/coronavirus-advice-and-information-for-recreational-boaters.aspx

Arriving in the UK by recreational boat

Some UK ports have introduced requirements for vessels (including recreational boats) arriving from outside the UK to complete and submit a health declaration on arrival. The requirements have been notified via local notices to mariners. Check local notices to mariners regularly for updated instructions.

Recreational boating abroad

In response to the escalating situation, the Government has issued guidance for British people travelling and living overseas during the coronavirus pandemic. In its exceptional travel advisory notice, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) now advises British people against all non-essential travel worldwide. This advice (issued on 17/03/2020) took effect immediately and applies initially for a period of 30 days.

The RYA advises recreational boaters to follow this advice from the UK Government because we are aware that crossing national borders, including on a recreational craft, may lead to an imposed period of self-isolation or to compulsory quarantine which may be in a location determined by the country you have arrived in rather than on board your boat. That is if you are allowed to land at all.

The skipper of fishing vessel Artemis (FR 809) sufered severe head injuries and died after he fell head-first through an access hatch. The vessel was berthed alongside in Kilkeel, Northern Ireland and he had just returned from an afternoon ashore with one of his deckhands. Both had spent 3 hours in a local public house drinking alcohol.

It was not possible to determine whether he slipped, tripped or stumbled before he fell as there was no witness. MAIB accident statistics indicate that, since 1992, alcohol was a contributing factor in 62% of the 42 fishing vessel fatalities that have occurred while in port.

Safety lessons 

• Artemis was in port and its skipper and deckhand were not undertaking any work activities when the accident happened. Excessive alcohol consumption will severely undermine an individual’s judgment and coordination. 
• Post-build modifcations to the access route between the vessel’s wheelhouse and the mess deck increased the likelihood and consequences of someone falling through the mess deck hatch’s unguarded opening. The hatch required a physical barrier to prevent personnel inadvertently falling through the opening.

Full Marine Accident Investigation report on www.gov.uk/maib

Photo from the full report

On the 21st of March HMS Albion sped past Dunbar, just offshore, en-route from Stavanger to her Plymouth home-base.

There's always interesting traffic, keep your eyes seaward.

Photos from https://www.marinetraffic.com

Click <<READ MORE>> to see Photo 2: the sea-track of HMS Albion.

A rescue helicopter and coastguards were called on the evening of Wednesday 18th March and set about conducting a search in the Canty Bay area. Dunbar Coastguard, North Berwick Coastguard, Senior Coastal Operations Officer S04B, Helicopter 199 (from Prestwick) and North Berwick Lifeboat were in attendance. North Berwick Coastguard said: "Following extensive searches and having completed our tasking, all coastal resources stood down shortly after 9pm. Remember, if you see someone or something you are concerned about on the shoreline, cliffs, mud or water, call 999 immediately and ask for the coastguard. If in doubt, call!"

Photo 1 is the search pattern, the helicopter's lights were clearly visible from Dunbar. 

Both photos from https://www.marinetraffic.com

Click <<READ MORE>> to see Photo 2: SAR helicopter 

Photo 1  our FIRST kittiwake (magnifying glass out, can you spot it?) taking up residence on 24th February.

There will be hundreds on Dunbar Castle during spring and summer! The Kittiwake is a delicate and dainty seabird whose name resembles its calls. Can you hear them squawking “Ki-i-i-ti-wa-a-ke”? 

• Food: Small fish, especially sandeels; the kittiwakes follow our fishing boats.
• Nest site: On our castle walls or over-hanging rock faces. Their nests are mud, grass or seaweed, on impossibly-small ledges.
• Breeding: Mid May to mid June, 2 eggs. The young birds depart in August to live off Greenland Coast then return to Dunbar after 2 years.
• Wintering: Adults spend winter over the North Atlantic, as far as Canada, however some fly south.

An old Dunbar saying: Kittiwakes should return by the 16th March for Dunbar's ‘happy and prosperous summer’.

Photo above by Quentin Dimmer 

Click <<READ MORE>> for photo #2 (by Kenny Maule, during breeding, last summer)

As per Government guidelines, Dunbar Harbour Trust is closing the harbour to non-essential marine traffic for the foreseeable future.

All events at the Dunbar Battery are suspended until further notice.

Watch this space. Happier days will come, see Fraser Stewart's photo above.

Greek culture quiz: OK, eagle-eyes, where is this 'Parthenon'? 

 Come on, you've seen it dozens of times, and probably fallen over it before now.

Photos by Kenny Maule. Click <<READ MORE>> to see the answer.