Fuel Crisis

February 2005

The Lismore coming into Point minus petrol.

The following is a report of the Community Council Meeting on18 February:

A fuel crisis has hit the island after the Marine Coastguard Agency served a prohibition notice on the Lismore /Port Appin ferry route banning the carrying of fuel, all hand luggage over 500 kg (which must be stored in the designated area) and bicycles. Foster Yeoman, who run the route, told Community Council Secretary Julian Wormleighton that the ferry has no permit to carry goods.

A very angry Mairi Perkins, Chair of the Community Council, told a packed meeting that she had been given no notice of the ban and no reasons why a practice that had been going on for a number of years was suddenly the victim of a tightening of regulations. She said the ban appears to be the result of the agency’s observation on the 14 January and conversations with the ferryman on 16 January. Speaking in her role as nurse practitioner she said that there had been ample time for warning in what was a life and death situation. It was vital, she said,  that she be able to answer all calls, emergency and otherwise, that the doctor and ambulance be sure of fuel and that home helps, the school run and all services be able to operate.

Julian said he had been working hard to find a long term solution as well as asking the MCA whether some temporary certification could be granted while solutions were sought.  Elaine Robertson said she had also been in conversation with Cal Mac and Argyll and Bute to see if it would be possible for the ferry to meet the tightened regulations.

Mark Willis and Donnie MacCormick were appointed along with Julian Wormleighton to look into all the possibilities, long and short term, including the possibility of petrol storage on the island.

Then came the meeting on Tuesday 22 February..............

We appear top have been given the briefest reprieve. Foster Yeoman have agreed to a request by the Community Council and Elaine Robertson to carry 200 litres per week for 2 weeks provided the petrol was in totally sealed containers and that a representative meet the vessel at either end to load the empties and pick up the full cans and remove them immediately from the slip at Point.

Julian Worlmleighton said he and the Chair Mairi Perkins had been working non stop to find a solution. Officials at Argyll and Bute were quoted as saying that the petrol issue as far as The Lismore was concerned was insoluble, although they may agree to try and sort out something with goods and bicycles which so many tourists rely on the travel about the island.

The Maritime Coastguard Association (who issued the order) speaking from Glasgow and from Southampton said that The Lismore was totally unsuitable to carry petrol.

Clearly,  Mairi Perkins said, we are being very much left in the lurch by Argyll and Bute with no suggestions as to how we can get fuel and no explanation as to why the boat is suddenly so unsuitable after all these years.  No matter what long term solution is found it will take some setting up and in the meantime the island could grind to a halt with no fuel for vital services. And even were a way found to give fuel for the essential service these relied on the labour of islanders, (teachers, cooks etc,) so this was not going to help except in an emergency.

It was suggested that the Community Council take legal advice to find out whether Argyll and Bute had a duty of care should someone die as a result of this situation. Were this happening on the mainland the urgency of the situation would be seen and a solution found. Surely a stretch of water does not mean we can have our lives put in peril at a stroke.

Even the possibility of taking the car to Oban to fill up (which would surely give Lismore the most expensive petrol in Europe) was not viable as many cars had MOT exemptions and could not be driven on the mainland.

Update 7 April

Following advice from Argyll and Islands Enterprise about the best way to solve the petrol crisis, Lismore Community council has appointed a consultant to look into all the options that may provide a permanent sustainable solution.

Meanwhile Elaine Robertson suggested getting a quote from Foster Yeoman for a continuation of their fortnightly interim service, and, after negotiations, Argyll and Bute Council and the AIE have agreed to fund 50% of the costs each for the next 3 months. Gunns garage have also agreed to continue their invaluable part in the scheme.

At the latest Community Council meeting outgoing Secretary Julian Wormleighton suggested that a petrol subcommittee be formed to continue the committed work he and Chair Mairi Perkins and Roget Dixon-Spain had been doing to keep the island’s cars on the road. This committee will be ratified once the new Community Council meets.