Bakkafrost Scotland team light up crucial ferry link for islanders
Bakkafrost Scotland team light up crucial ferry link for islanders
Bakkafrost Scotland has come to the rescue after a crucial ferry service to and from the island of Gigha was plunged into darkness.
The navigational lights at Ardminish Bay pontoon had stopped working, leading to ferry provider Caledonian MacBrayne reducing the number of sailings servicing the island over safety concerns.
The transport link is crucial to the islanders and 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.
Leading salmon producer and local employer Bakkafrost Scotland stepped in to help, 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.
Craig Johnstone, site manager on Gigha, 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.”
Craig has also been working with the emergency planning group on Gigha 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.”