Will Islay Get its Oil?

Will the tanker make it or not? That's the important issue on Islay at the moment. Only a few weeks ago there was a shortage in oil and problems to deliver new supplies for the winter. As a result of these previous problems the reserves were already dangerously low. The Ileach reported about the oil crisis last Saturday mentioning it wasn't sure if the tanker would be able to dock: "Oil supplies on the island are once again extremely low. Gleaners have written to the island distilleries to inform them that their supplies will be completely exhausted by today (Saturday 24Nov), despite their efforts to supplement ship-borne supplies by road. Shell hope to have the oil tanker Keewhit loaded yesterday Friday 23rd November for delivery (weather permitting) today or tomorrow (24th/25th November). Continuing difficulties at Bruichladdich pier mean that due to the predicted tide levels on Monday 26/Tuesday 27th Nov (the correct tides being during darkness) it will not be possible to dock and unload during these days. The Ileach understands that most, if not all, the distilleries now have their own alternative emergency arrangements to bring fuel in by road to offset the possibility of a failure to dock. The fact that the Keewhit is unable to dock and unload at the new £3m pier during the hours of darkness is a new development."

The Keewhit approaching the pier this afternoon. Image courtesy Mark Unsworth Islay Studios

That was the Ileach last Saturday. In the meanwhile the tanker wasn't able to dock and waited at a safe distance from the pier. The tanker will make another attempt today at 4pm, just before darkness sets in, to dock and unload its precious cargo. Mark Unsworth from Islay Studios is keeping me up-to-date on this and I will update this post when there are any new developments. The webcams installed at the Bruichladdich distillery can be used to determine if the tanker actually made it, although the images are a bit blurred due to the changing weather and light conditions. The image (right) is made at 4pm when another attempt was made....

Attempt succeeded at exactly 4.05pm!