That ship has sailed! As port bans boats from sounding horns as they leave because of ONE noise complaint, worries grow that the tradition will become a blast from the past
- Ships sailing from Invergordon, Easter Ross, have been told not to use horns
It is the traditional farewell given by cruise ships the world over.
But now captains have been banned from sounding their horns as they leave a Scottish port after officials received a single noise complaint.
Cruise ships sailing from Invergordon, Easter Ross, have been told not to use their horns on leaving the Cromarty Firth.
Port officials confirmed the measure has been imposed in the wake of a complaint from a peeved resident. The move has prompted a petition from other locals to reinstate the horns, which last night had been signed by more than 1,000 people.
Cruise ships and large vessels traditionally give one prolonged foghorn blast as they leave any port they visit to bid farewell.
Ships at Invergordon can no longer blast their horn on departure. It is the traditional farewell given by cruise ships the world over
A spokesman for Port of Cromarty Firth said it was doing everything it could to resolve the issue, adding: ‘We can confirm that following a complaint from a resident in Cromarty, we have advised the cruise ship masters to refrain from blowing their horns as they leave the Firth.
‘As good neighbours we take complaints from our communities seriously and will do everything we can to resolve their issues.’
Cromarty local Laura Thompson said hearing ship horns go off has never been a source of irritation for her.
She said: ‘I don’t mind the horn. Lots of people go down and watch the ships leave so I’m sure people enjoy it.
‘I heard one the other day that was playing a tune, which was quite funny.’
The petition to bring back the horns was started by Toria Anderson. She said: ‘It has come to light that an individual in Cromarty complained about cruise liners sounding their horns.
‘The port authority have advised all liners to stop sounding their horns.
‘Cromarty as a community are appalled by this and very upset. Liners have been passing Cromarty for many years and sounding their horns as a way of communication.
Cruise ships sailing from Invergordon, Easter Ross, have been told not to use their horns on leaving the Cromarty Firth (File image)
‘Cromarty residents and visitors love seeing the liners pass and the horns sounding.
‘On a safety aspect – cruise liners alongside other boats need to sound their horns to alert of their passing especially in foggy conditions or in limited visibility. We must make a stand and bring back the horns of the cruise liners. We are entering key tourist time and both tourists and locals love to wave farewell to the liners.
‘A blast of the horn has happened for years and is a tradition. Sign the petition and bring back the horns to our community.’
Cromarty Firth will welcome record numbers of passengers and ships during the 2023 cruising season, which runs from April to October. More than 125 liners are scheduled to visit, bringing in around 200,000 tourists.
The port authority website says: ‘The port has been welcoming cruise ships since 1978. We are the closest cruise port to Loch Ness and its famous monster.’
