Annual Newsletter form the Harbour Master
Personnel
With the approval of the Harbours Board I am pleased to announce we have recruited an Apprentice Maritime Assistant. Tom Furse joined the team at Truro in mid September in time to enrol on a day release course at Falmouth Marine School. Tom has a keen interest in the estuary having crewed on several passenger vessels plying the Fal.
Laid up ships
It is an ill wind but the current world financial situation has blown some good into the port of Truro. A number of vessels have been laid up for a short period of time recently. The vessels were repossessed by banks and sold using the services of the Admiralty Marshall. The Admiralty Marshall is an officer of the Admiralty court in London.
Two large roll on roll off (RO/RO) vessels have been laid up since the summer waiting for new charters. Normally these vessels would carry HGV’s and trailers but both have a large amount of accommodation and could be used to substitute on cross channel routes carrying both trailers and some passengers.
Cargo to Lighterage Quay
Cement and scrap metal have been our main cargoes over the last year. Approximately 17000 tonnes of Cement have been imported and 10000 tonnes of Scrap metal and baled cars have been exported. All of these materials have been delivered without significant road miles incurred using heavy goods vehicles.
Renewable Energy
The recent tug and barge activity was part of a trial for a renewable energy project. Local company MOJO Maritime were looking for a suitable port facility to mobilise a large steel barge. Equipment for the trial was hired via the North Sea offshore companies and included a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) which is an underwater vehicle with robotic arms. The main purpose of the trial was to prove a method of making an electrical connection under water. The main customer was very pleased with the outcome of the trial. I received some very positive feedback about the port facilities from MOJO Maritime and their customer.
I have been in discussion with officers from Regen SW, the not for profit company, to set up to market the South West marine energy park. I hope the Port of Truro will feature in the brochure under the ports and logistics section. At a recent British Ports Association meeting in Orkney Maritime Manager Andy Brigden observed the economic benefit to the Orkney isles that had come from the Renewable Energy sector.
Projects
The rebuilding work at Lighterage Quay Truro: The joint project with the Environment Agency and the Port of Truro to rebuild the quay is due to start early in the New Year. The sheet piling work will commence first then the piles will be back filled with aggregate before a concrete capping beam is cast on top of the sheet piles. The work should take about 6 months to complete.
Pontoons installed at Exchequer Quay Penryn: Work has started on the concrete foundations for the gangway bridgehead. The new pontoons have been manufactured and will be transported to the quay early in the New Year for installation at the end of January during the neap tide cycle.
Events
The Truro Festival of Lights and Truro Christmas lights: Due to the imminent start of the Lighterage Quay rebuild the warehouse on the quay has been vacant. The port of Truro has been able to help this year with the temporary use of the building for the construction and storage of the Festival of Lights lanterns. A local electrical contractor has used the warehouse to set up the lighting equipment for the City of Truro Christmas lights.
Poppy Appeal and Two minute silence: This years Poppy Appeal was launched by the Cornwall County Branch Royal British Legion from Truro with a boat trip to the D-Day landing embarkation site at Tolverne. In conjunction with Truro City council, Truro Branch of the RBL and the Cornish Fireworks Company we were able to help with a site for the safe launch for the maroons timed to mark the start and finish of the two minute silence.
The port has helped facilitate parts of other festivals and events including the Fal River festival, regattas and rallies afloat.
Community
Sea Cadets: The port of Truro continues to support the good work of the Truro Sea cadet unit by providing moorings for their boats and storage for their canoes at Newham.
P.A.C.T.: I have attended most of the meetings of PACT which stands for Police and Communities Together. The meetings are held in Truro City Council offices and are chaired by Councillor Bert Biscoe. A number of organisations attend the meetings to discuss issues affecting those that live and work in and around Truro.
I wish you all a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year
Mark Killingback
Harbour Master Truro and Penryn