Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) working in partnership with Argyll and Bute Council (A&BC) and the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) commissioned a Harbour Management Plan for Oban Bay.  As part of this Plan, a requirement to evaluate navigational risk within Oban Bay and the Sound of Kerrera was identified.  ABPmer was asked to organise and facilitate Marine Hazard Observation workshops with users to identify known and potential hazards relating to marine operations and vessel navigation. 

To inform the NRA, we compiled available navigational accident and incident records, characterised vessel transit routes within the study area, and drew-up a list of hazard scenarios for assessment.  The NRA process summarised risk control options that are currently used, and identified a range of ‘future risk control options’ through consultation with harbour stakeholders.