EGL1 contractor METLEN Energy & Metals has temporarily loaned two shipping containers to Dunbar Harbour Trust, helping provide essential storage space for local fishermen.
Following a fire on 27 October, which damaged the harbour’s McArthur’s Store, Martin Whitfield, MSP for the South Scotland Region, and Douglas Alexander, MP for Lothian East, asked METLEN to join efforts to support the local fishing community.
Due to limited space at the harbour, METLEN’s offer for the use of two of its 40ft shipping containers for equipment storage was not sufficient. However, a suitable location for the shipping containers was found when SP Energy Networks put METLEN in touch with local landowner David Moffat, who provided land for the shipping containers at no cost.
METLEN transported the shipping containers, which are now being used to store the likes of ropes, nets, flags and creels.
Martin Whitfield, MSP for the South Scotland Region, said:
“The fire at McArthur’s Store was a terrible blow for the harbour users’ community and the whole town.
“However, it’s been heartening to see how the wider community has rallied around and supported harbour users, including the fishermen. As part of this assistance, I was very pleased that Metlen and SP Energy Networks have been able to provide practical support by making these storage containers available to the fishing community.”
Darren Fall, METLEN Project Manager, commented:
“We were really sorry to hear about the fire, but are pleased we’ve been able to step in and help in a small but practical way.
“Being a good neighbour is really important to us, and we’re committed to supporting the local community throughout the project.”
Fiona Kibby, Dunbar Harbour Trust’s Harbour Master, said:
“We’re deeply grateful for all the support we’ve received since the devastating fire to McArthur’s Store.
“It’s been vitally important for us to enable the fishermen to keep working. These containers have provided a safe and secure location for the fishermen to store their equipment.”