New Harbours Management
5 December 2001

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NEW HARBOUR MANAGEMENT TEAM SETTLES IN TO LOCHINVER

Work is set to be completed by the end of this year on the new headquarters in Lochinver, Sutherland of The Highland Councils harbour management team, who oversee a (Pounds)12 million-a-year business.

The seven-strong team hope to move from their temporary accommodation at the harbour to a wing of the Culag Hotel on Christmas Eve.  The two-storey property has been renovated at a cost of £230,000.  It will also accommodate the Lochinver Service Point, and offices for social work staff, clerk of works, and those of the Scottish Fishery Protection Agency.

The new harbour management team, formerly based at Inverness, is led by Tony Usher, the general manager, who most recently worked for Cumbria County Council as the operations and engineering manager at the port of Workington.  Other members of the team are: Derek Louden, business analyst, Dianne Graham, systems administrator, Anne Cooper, administrative assistant and Julie Matheson and Elaine MacLaren, both clerical assistants.
Still to be appointed is the marine superintendent. The deadline for applications is 14 December.  The management team will operate separately from the seven-strong team of Lochinver Harbourmaster, Neil Gudgeon, which is based at the nearby harbour building.

Councillor Charlie King, chairman of The Highland Councils Fishery Harbour Management Board, said during a visit to Lochinver on Tuesday: "I am delighted that the team has moved to the heart of our fishing enterprise in Lochinver and that we have been able to attract such a high calibre of staff.  We are now well placed to maintain an efficient service to the fishing industry and harbour users."

Local Highland Councillor Francis Keith, said: "Basing the harbour management team at Lochinver makes sense and is a great boost to the local economy. A spin-off benefit is the relocation of the Service Point, our one-stop advice and information centre, from the village to the harbour area, where there is convenient car parking."

The council operates 102 harbours and piers.