Robin Hamilton of the Harbour Trust reports: "A Marine Scotland Fisheries Grant of £107,500 has been awarded to the Trust to be spent mainly by the end of March 2019. This is for repairs to the harbour walls, in particular the North Wall of Victoria Harbour where surveys carried out by the Trust's consultants have identified the highest priorities, both on the outside and inside of this wall.

Discussions have started on how this grant can be best used taking into account the tides and swell and variable weather conditions likely in February and March. Flexibility in timing and work will be essential.

The Trust would like to thank Marine Scotland for their on-going support and much needed funding to keep the harbour safe."

 

The RNLI are planning a revamp of their current station which has stood proudly for 115 years but is no longer able to accommodate growing needs. The expected plans include improved changing facilities, a better visitor experience for public-safety training, a new shop, plus a two-storey block for the Inshore garage. Over the years the duties of the station have expanded and now consist of the Torness-based All-weather Lifeboat (AWB), the Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) and thirty volunteers. 

The building plans will take some time to be finalised and will then be presented to the local authority in a few months for approval or modification. 

photo by Kenny Maule

 

Viridor’s National Magazine and the Scottish Ornithologists Club's e-bulletin and Winter Magazine have promoted the recent interpretation panels in and around Dunbar's three harbours. In total there are 30 interpretation panels, take a stroll and try to find them all. Our stories may surprise you.

 photo by Kenny Maule

Jack McLaughlin, next page...

AG Thomson's men have been erecting the last of the branders in Cromwell Harbour, This photo shows a couple. The branders are made of oak timbers and heavy-duty rubber, secured by large brackets. Now all the ladders have their protective branders allowing the fishing boats to 'ride' safely up and down during tidal changes and swell movements. They're great but it has not been an easy job.

We expect the project to be of real benefit to the fishermen, especially during our frequent storm surges. Many thanks to Kevin and his team for completion of phase one.

 

photo by Kenny Maule

Do you remember the swimmer, Ross Edgley, 33, who stopped by in Dunbar Harbour this summer? He has become the first person to swim around Great Britain, making his way back to land in Margate recently. He had not been ashore since June 1, when he set off on his 1,780-mile aquatic journey. Ross said that even though he had not enjoyed EVERY moment of the swim, especially Scotland's jellyfish, his discipline kept him going.

“It still doesn’t feel real,” Mr. Edgley gasped with an exhausted happiness.

Swimming day-in and day-out in saltwater also turned his tongue dry and sore, making it hard for him to eat, swallow or talk. The solution? Coconut oil and yogurt, which helped him to overcome his soreness and keep going.

For more than 150 days, Mr. Edgley swam 6 to 12 hours a day. He spent the rest of his time eating and sleeping on his support boat, from where he documented his quest in episodes streamed online throughout his endurance swim.

photo: Ross Edgley's website

 

Have you spotted these dog bags? They're near the bridge

Eric Robertson recently installed the dispenser for use by owners who remembered to walk the dog but forgot their bags.

 Several dogs have requested another dispenser at Cromwell Harbour.

photo by Kenny Maule

 

The Teal, a dive boat owned by Caldive of Invergordon, has been in the harbour for several weeks. Its task was to check offshore outlets off North Berwick.

Where is the best place to wait for good diving weather?

Of course, it's sunny Dunny.

 

photo by Kenny Maule

 

 Artist Julia Barton (right) visited Dunbar Harbour recently with MSP Joan McAlpine.

This was in preparation for an event at the Scottish Parliament which included our harbourmaster, Quentin. Julia's focus is on the effect of plastics in the sea and the importance of good housekeeping in coastal communities and harbours.

photo from @dunbarharbour

In September '17, the 9.9m fishing-vessel Solstice capsized in calm weather conditions, south of Plymouth. The skipper and crewman were rescued 5½ hours later but the owner was trapped and drowned in the wheelhouse. Solstice later sank.

The scallop dredger had recently been modified to operate as a stern trawler and was hauling a heavy catch on board when the capsize occurred. The crew did not have time to raise the alarm. As the vessel was not equipped with an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) and the crew did not carry Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs), they were wholly reliant on family and friends realising they were overdue and alerting the coastguard.

Safety lessons

Vessel owners should always ensure that stability assessments are carried out before and after any modifications are undertaken. Action should be taken to reduce excessive loads being lifted on board.

The Coastguard says; "Take the search out of search-and-rescue; fit an Automatic Identification System (AIS) and carry an EPIRB and/or PLBs. They can be life savers. Personal flotation devices should always be worn when working on deck and lifejackets should be worn or readily-available.

photo credit MAIB investigation report

 

"Dear Harbour User,

In order that we can update our records please provide us with an up-to-date copy of Insurance for your vessel. 
Happy 2019 to all,

Quentin Dimmer, 
Dunbar Harbour Master, tel 07958754858"

photo credit plus.google.com