Work has started on the deepening of Girvan Harbour in a project expected to take more than two months and costing more than £100,000 removing a considerable amount of siltation which has built up since the last dredging operation was carried out nearly five years ago.

The M.V. Shearwater belonging to the Moray Council arrived in Girvan on 14 March 2005 and has already commenced work on the project.

Explained the Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Andy Hill: “Girvan Harbour is a busy fishing port, which provides shore facilities for fishermen working the lower reaches of the Clyde and North Irish Sea.

“It also supports an expanding pleasure industry, by providing berthing facilities for both local yachtsmen and visitors, from as far afield as Wales, North of England and Ireland.

“The last major dredging operation was carried out during August / September 2000. The deepening project which is now under way should make a significant difference, and provide benefits for the users of the harbour – both for pleasure and commercial purposes.”

As a result of siltation at the harbour the bed level at the entrance to the harbour currently is at least 1.0 to 1.5 metres above the design dredge level.

Said Councillor Hill: “This obviously imposes a considerable restriction on the size of vessels that can enter the harbour and also reduces the times at which entry and exit from the harbour is possible. In view of this South Ayrshire Council decided to undertake deepening works at the Harbour.”

To assist with funding for the project, an application was submitted to the Scottish Government for a FIFG (Financial Instruments for Fisheries Guidance) grant. These grants are made available to help promote and secure the fishing industry. This application was successful and the Scottish Government Environment and Rural Affairs Department have agreed to contribute 50% of the eligible costs of the works.

During the period leading up to the confirmation of award of the grant, consultations were carried out with SEPA, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Crown Estates Commissioners.

A Best Practical Environmental Option Assessment was carried out for the disposal of the dredging arisings and based on this, all necessary licences have been obtained to allow the dredging spoil to be deposited at sea approximately 1.3 nautical miles west of Girvan.

Based on the lowest tender submitted, the contract to carry out the deepening works was awarded to the Moray Council.

It is envisaged that approximately 25,000 cubic metres of silt, sand and gravel will be removed from the harbour. The anticipated cost of the project is £103,000.

It is anticipated that the work will take approximately 9 weeks although obviously the weather will play a major part in the rate of progress.

The M.V. Shearwater is a conventional grab type dredger with a self contained hopper.

The Shearwater is no stranger to Girvan having been used for dredging worked there at least twice previously. The first occasion was in 1975 when it was still owned by the Scottish Development Department and then again in the 1990's under the control of the Moray Council. On both occasions a satisfactory result was achieved.