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http://forargyll.com/2009/06/loch-strivens-dread-comes-true-in-come-the-demobbed-oil-tankers/

http://www.sundayherald.com/mostpopular.var.2516917.mostviewed.troubled_waters.php

Anger at Striven ships
DESPITE saying in April that two vessels at most would be laid up in Loch Striven later this year, Clydeport has allowed four large container ships to move in within the space of a week - to the horror of residents on both shores of the tranquil Cowal inlet.
Thursday June 25 saw the arrival of the first two ships - the SI Performance and the Maersk Beaumont - with two others lurking ominously close to the mouth of peaceful Loch Striven.
‘No Ships’
They had moved into their new home by Monday - to be welcomed by ‘No Ships’ carved in giant letters into the overlooking hillsides, leaving no doubt about the feelings of their new neighbours.
Residents now fear, and rumours abound, that several more redundant commercial vessels will soon be joining the four unwelcome visitors - and Clydeport has so far failed to give any public reassurance otherwise.
Nor, it seems, is the port authority willing to explain the apparent turnaround regarding its proposals for Loch Striven - with its public comments decidedly at odds with its actions. And despite extensive questioning, Clydeport - through its Glasgow-based public relations company - has issued only a very brief statement about the activity in Loch Striven.
Timeline
The Standard exclusively revealed in April that Clydeport was in the early stages of talks regarding the layup of redundant commercial ships in the Cowal waters.
At that point, a spokesman said that “at most two container vessels” may be located in the loch and that no timescale was in place.
The next sign of activity was the appearance late in May of three large ships lying at anchor in the Clyde - with internet ship tracker sites giving their destinations as Loch Striven.
However, Clydeport told the Standard that the vessels were fully crewed and ready for service - adding that “they may go to Loch Striven later in the year.”
Last week saw another ship arriving and the four vessels then moving closer to Loch Striven - but emailed questions sent to Clydeport’s PR company on June 23 and numerous follow-up telephone calls went unanswered.
However, given that the Maersk-owned SI Performance and Beaumont moved into the loch just two days later, it is surprising that no information was available - assuming that relocating two sizeable vessels requires a degree of advance planning and logistics.
Plans
A number of detailed questions sent to Clydeport’s spokesman this week included a request for comment on the company’s apparent reluctance to provide any information about these operations and why there had been a change from ‘at most two’ ships. The company was also asked when the decision was taken to send the vessels to Loch Striven, what has happened to the full crews said to be on each ship previously, what consultation was undertaken with local people and other agencies, and details of personnel on board and maintenance while they are in the loch.
Of key importance to local residents, though, is whether there are plans to send any more vessels to the loch - and if so, how many, when and how long will they remain there - and such information was requested from Clydeport.
Brief
However, the company issued only a brief statement in response, saying simply: “The current economic downturn has had a particularly severe impact on global shipping. As a result, around ten per cent of the world’s merchant fleet is in lay-up.
“From time to time, going back to the 1970s, vessels have been moored in sea lochs on the west coast due to their sheltered locations.
“The four vessels currently moored in Loch Striven have been located in full compliance with the Harbours Act. The ship owners are monitoring the demand for these modern vessels and are obviously keen to have them back in service as part of their fleet as soon as possible.”
No consultation
Local residents are extremely angry about Clydeport moving the ships into their neighbourhood without consultation.
Mary Lamb told the Standard: “There are four ships basically moored at the bottom of our drive.
“They are lit up like Christmas trees, with bright blaring lights, and the noise is terrible.
“We had no communication whatsoever from Clydeport - the first thing we knew about it was when the first ship turned up.”
She added: “If I wanted to put a summerhouse in my garden I would need to consult with my neighbours and the council - but Clydeport don’t have to, and now we have these great hulking ships right in front of our homes.
“We are concerned about the noise, about possible pollution, about the effect on wildlife.
“I am very upset about this - it is intruding on our privacy.”
‘High-handed’
Writing in Safety Valve this week (see page 8) Inverchaolain residents Henry Radcliffe and Marion Read have said that Clydeport is being ‘high-handed’ adding: “The engines have been running constantly since their arrival and we are experiencing sleep disturbance and headaches as a consequence.
“Clydeport has already shown little regard for the residents or the environment.”
Others have expressed their concern in more obvious ways - with two huge ‘No Ships’ signs inscribed in fields and hillsides bordering the loch.
The road to the loch was certainly busy on the day of the first ships’ arrival, with visitors going down to see for themselves.
Beauty
One local man said: “Why are we letting these eyesores into our lochs when we are trying to promote Scotland as a place of beauty? How will this encourage tourists?”
Another woman commented: “This area really is unspoiled - after we passed the fuel depot, it’s like another world and is so peaceful, until you turn the corner and see these huge ships. It’s hard to understand the reasoning behind it.
“It’s OK for others who just come down to have a look at the ships out of curiosity, but I do feel sorry for the people who live right next to it.”
Remove
Local politicians share the concern of the residents. MSP Jim Mather, currently on holiday, is understood to be taking action on the issue, while MP Alan Reid said: “This is totally unacceptable in an area of outstanding beauty. It is nonsense that Clydeport has the power to allow these ships to be moored here indefinitely. I have written to both UK and Scottish Transport Ministers and urged them to use any powers they have to remove Clydeport’s right to allow ships to be moored in Loch Striven and to have the ships removed immediately.”
Cllr Ron Simon has also written to Clydeport (see Safety Valve). There is some reassurance for concerned locals in the response that he has received, which states: “Reports that in excess of 20 vessels will be moored in Loch Striven are factually incorrect. The actual number is likely to be in the region of five or six.”
Eyesores
Cllr Simon said: “I am extremely disappointed about this, particularly since tankers had been left as rusting eyesores in the loch previously for over 20 years.
“It is particularly disappointing that Clydeport has not really answered the questions.
“Although it claims that only half a dozen ships are destined for the loch and not the rumoured 20, I would still argue that this is half a dozen too many. I will continue to pursue the case for the early removal of these ships.”
Clydeport’s letter to Cllr Simon also indicates that the duration of layup is envisaged to be “months rather than years.”