Ullapool Sea Savers lift gas bottles from Lochbroom in a 89kg haul of washed-up debris
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AN environmental group recently lifted over 89kg of debris in Lochbroom – including gas bottles and a flare box – after hearing of rubbish washing up in Rhue, just outside Ullapool.
The Ullapool Sea Savers are known locally as a child-led environmental activism group. However, for this project it was just adult supervisors of the group Noel Hawkins and Janis Piggott, because the type of debris they were dealing with proved to be too dangerous for youngsters to be involved.
The reason behind the heavy-duty debris washing up is believed to be the sinking of a local fishing boat a few weeks ago.
The Sea Savers posted on social media: “A local fishing boat sank recently, and we have been out checking for debris coming ashore because of it. Last week we noticed that things were drifting in at Rhue coast, and after speaking with residents out there, we arranged for some of it to be gathered up and that we’d collect it with our boat, Mada Chuain.
“We did the first uplift, but didn’t take the kids with us as the items included gas bottles and a flare box – all of which could be dangerous.
“89kg lifted so a good start, but it is likely there will be more things washing ashore soon, so we have left boxes and baskets along the coast if anyone is able to throw a few bits into them, we will come to collect and dispose of them.
“If there are any potentially dangerous items, please make a note of where they are and we’ll arrange to sort them out too.
“Rhue is a remote spot, so the boat is great as it reduces having to carry rubbish so far.
“We are also happy to try doing this elsewhere around Loch Broom, Coigach, Lochside and Little Loch Broom.
Thank you to Ullapool Harbour Trust for providing us with skip facilities, and thank you to those who helped gather it all up so far – great community effort!
