New Landing Crane Installed for Fishermen at Bangor Harbour’s Central Pier
A new landing crane has been installed at Bangor Harbour’s Central Pier with the help of funding from Ards and North Down Borough Council and DAERA’s Maritime and Fisheries Fund (NI).
A new landing crane has been installed at Bangor Harbour’s Central Pier with the help of funding from Ards and North Down Borough Council and DAERA’s Maritime and Fisheries Fund (NI).
Local fishermen have welcomed the provision of the new landing crane in the harbour which will help them safely transfer their catch from boat to shore. Prior to the crane’s installation, fisherman had to manually haul their catch to shore, making it a more physically demanding and riskier process.
The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Jennifer Gilmour, said:
“I am pleased that the Council and DAERA has been able to support local fishermen. This major piece of equipment has been installed to help provide safer working practices and conditions for our local fishermen. Instead of having to manually haul their catch up the side of the quay, they can now easily attach their haul on to the crane which lifts it safely to the quayside.”
Local fisherman, Stephen Blaikie, said:
“We are very grateful to Ards and North Down Borough Council and DAERA for its funding. Having completed our training in the use of the crane, we can now unload our catch in a much safer manner and have already noticed the physical benefits of having a landing crane. Fishing is a precarious industry at the best of times and having this new crane will help safeguard us and improve our working environment.”
The crane will be used regularly by approximately 25 local fishermen who, over a 12 month period, can bring in a catch upwards of 490 tonnes.
David Reid, Acting Deputy Secretary of Environment, Marine and Fisheries Group, within DAERA said: “DAERA is delighted to support Ards and North Down Borough Council with the provision of a davit crane at Bangor Harbour. The help will improve the health and safety of fishermen who use the harbour to land their catches and load bait onto their vessels. Through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, the Department approved £13,785.75 of grant funding for the quayside crane as the health and safety of fishermen and their vessels remains a priority for DAERA.”