Oban Bay Marine  
background to the project

Oban grew up around its waterfront

Oban  - 'the Gateway to the Isles'  is an exceptional marine location which grew up around its waterfront.

It used to be the natural port of call for visiting boats to change crews and take on fuel and provisions, all of which contributed to the Oban economy.

Oban Bay Marine
Esplanade, Oban


With the development of Calmac's second linkspan at the Railway Pier, access there for berthing, landing, taking on fuel, water and supplies has become much more difficult and expensive.

The North and Railway Piers are becoming increasingly congested.

Oban Bay Marine
Railway Pier, Oban

Greatly improved facilities in Oban are necessary

for small vessels because local and visiting boat owners complain about the lack of decent facilities in the Oban area and most visiting yachts bypass Oban altogether

 
Aware of increasing concerns, during 2007 members from local interest and user groups around Oban Bay and the Sound of Kerrera formed a steering group.

Opportunities available to community-based initiatives were subsequently explored and Oban Bay Marine formed.
  
Charter boat owners report a serious lack of safe access for their crews and guests and a total lack of access facilities for elderly and disabled people. Four of the larger skipper charter boats have recently abandoned Oban as their operational base and others are considering moving away.

Local canoeists, seeking improved facilities, state that Oban and its surrounding waters is a top-ranking kayaking area on a world scale, on a par with the Arctic, Greenland and Chilean Tierra del Fuego, therefore providing facilities to attract more canoeists could make a very significant contribution to the local economy.


increasing demand for marine facilities

Local and national press regularly report increasing demand for yachting facilities, reflecting the findings of marine service providers and maritime authorities.

Several  existing marinas on the West Coast are currently undergoing major expansion, and multi-million  pound redevelopment plans are being put forward for a number of harbour towns.

read articles here

Oban Bay Marine
the former BorroBoats site, Dungallan Parks, Oban 

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financial impact

The 2006 Scottish Enterprise Report Sailing in the Clyde Estuary – The Potential for Future Development identified the marine leisure industry as worth £250 million annually to the Scottish economy.

It also recommended that
"the marine leisure sector and its support agencies must endeavour to increase political awareness of the industry nationally to ensure that the sector is understood and recognised for the impact it creates on the economy and the employment that the sector supports".

A financial impact survey published in June 2003 by the Argyll Charter Boats' Association showed that charter boats contributed more than £4.5 million per annum directly to the Argyll and Bute economy, plus an estimated £10.8 million spent by their 108,000 passengers.

 

 

 

 

consistent with Oban action plan

Oban Bay Marines proposals are consistent with the recommendations of the Oban Action Plan produced by consultants Ironside Farrar in May 2006, which recognised the need to develop "new facilities/shore access for visiting yachts on a limited and controlled basis".