Let there be light (and a ferry)

Salmon farmer Bakkafrost Scotland has come to the rescue after a ferry service to and from the island of Gigha was reduced when navigational lights at Ardminish Bay pontoon stopped working.

This led to ferry provider Caledonian MacBrayne reducing the number of sailings servicing the island over safety concerns.

The Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust reached out for financial support to help replace the lights, as well as assistance in installing the new equipment safely, and Bakkafrost stepped in, buying the new lighting and then arranging for a crew to install the equipment once weather conditions permitted.

In addition, Bakkafrost Scotland has also committed to help bring emergency services workers to and from Gigha when required using its fleet of boats, as well as providing essential safety equipment. The company’s assistance had been requested by the island’s emergency planning group.

A critical service

Craig Johnstone, manager of Bakkafrost’s Gigha site, said: “We are very much part of island life here and helping out in this way benefits all of us.

“The navigational lights had failed and the ferry service is unable to run in the dark, as it is obviously not safe if they are unable to guide the vessel in.

“The ferry service is critical to Gigha and having a reduced service was very disruptive. It prevented people being able to get to work and children getting to school on the mainland.

“We were asked to help out and, of course, we were more than happy to do what we could. We bought the new lights and, once the weather allowed, I travelled out with a colleague to install them.

“Once we had successfully tested them, we made the ferry operator aware.”

Emergency services

Johnstone has also been working with the emergency planning group on Gigha – which has a population of around 200 - to ensure emergency services workers are able to travel to and from the island as required.

He said: “There is not always sufficient transport available for the emergency services workers, so we have made a commitment to help out with our own fleet of boats when we can.

“In addition, we have helped the emergency planning group buy equipment like high visibility clothing and radios, as well as assist with storage facilities.

“It is about a 30 minute trip from Gigha to the mainland and there is no transport alternative here, so it is important we do what we can to assist. Doing so reflects Bakkafrost Scotland’s commitment to help the communities where we live and work.”