Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne is warning that dangers posed by people fishing on company property will not be allowed to continue and that police action could follow.

The problems created by people fishing on company premises is most acute at the Gourock ferry terminal, where, in the past week to ten days passenger safety and the company’s operational integrity has been jeopardised. Good weather and the school holidays have led to increased numbers of people fishing in port working areas, and this has led to a number of incidents which have led to the company stepping up routine monitoring of the situation.

At Gourock, staff will now patrol the area between the Rail track merge (past the Kilcreggan Steps) to the roundabout at the Gamble Steps more frequently and incidents where broken or vandalised equipment are found are being logged and reported.

CalMac’s Head of Communication and Customer Care, Hugh Dan MacLennan said: “It is clearly not acceptable that our customers’ safety should be compromised in any way. We do not have an issue with anyone fishing beyond the company’s premises. However, where individuals refuse to co-operate with our staff, we have no option but to call the police who will take the appropriate action. Fishing from the working areas of the pier is strictly forbidden.  CalMac has no wish to provoke confrontation with groups of anglers and we will only call on the police if reasonable requests to stop fishing and move off the working area are ignored.”

CalMac’s operational area at Gourock is monitored by CCTV on a 24-hour basis and the company is advising anyone intending to fish in working areas that the film will be made available to the police for the appropriate action.

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For further information on the contents of this News Release, please contact Hugh Dan MacLennan, Head of Communication and Customer Care, Caledonian MacBrayne.

Tel: 0776 435 4021; e-mail hugh.maclennan@calmac.co.uk

Issued: Thursday, August 11, 2002