Fish farmer helps make world yacht race visit plain sailing

It may not be as elegant as an ocean-going sailing vessel, but a fish farm personnel craft is nonetheless playing a starring role in the return of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race to Oban on Scotland’s west coast.

The Leigha-Anne, crewed by qualified volunteers from salmon farmer Scottish Sea Farms, is the official VIP and media fast boat, supporting race management, photographers, videographers, and media representatives as the fleet arrived into Oban between July 10-13 and their departure for the final stage of the race on Sunday.

Oban, as a host port, forms part of Leg 8: The Atlantic Homecoming, with the yachts arriving from North America before setting sail towards the race finish in Portsmouth.

As well as being a major category sponsor for the race, SSF is providing the services of the Leigha-Anne, a nine-metre enclosed workboat that was delivered to the fish farmer’s Lismore West site in June last year by Arran Workboats.

40,000 nautical miles

The Clipper Race, which visited Oban for the first time in 2024, is the world’s largest matched fleet of ocean racing yachts.

The current race began last August in Portsmouth and has circumnavigated the world, a 40,000 nautical mile odyssey taking in South America, South Africa, Australia, the Philippines, China, and Korea, before embarking on the coast-to-coast North American stage, including passing through the Panama Canal.

In Oban, a Festival of the Sea sees crews from around 50 nationalities joining local people for more than a week of celebrations. The 2023-24 edition of the race gave a boost of £2 million in revenue to Oban from race crews and their families alone, with the thousands of additional visitors driving further economic impact.

'A fantastic opportunity'

While the 70ft (21.3m) yachts are in Oban, visitors are able to step on board and meet the crews and hear what it takes to become ocean racers in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

SSF mainland area marine manager Stephen Woods said he jumped at the chance to be one of the company's many volunteers.

“For our farm teams, this is a fantastic opportunity to be involved in a major international event and represent Scottish Sea Farms,” said Woods. “The west coast of Scotland has some of the best sailing in the world and we are proud to once again be sponsoring this legendary race.”

SSF lead trainer Chris Floyd, who is also a volunteer, said: “The Clipper Race brings a lot to Oban and the surrounding area, so it’s great, in supplying a powerboat and experienced staff, that we can contribute in some way.

“Where else could you get so close to these fabulous yachts as they finish their trans-Atlantic race leg. Anything we can do to offer support to the crews while in the Oban area is just the right thing to do.”