Also in the news / Highly commended, lifeboat donation, tidal energy decommissioning and more…
A LOCAL photographer says is he “absolutely delighted” after being highly commended at last week’s Event Photograph Awards (EPA) for an image which shows a dragon rising from the burning Up Helly Aa galley last year.
Gordon Siegel travelled to the prizegiving awards, held at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London, to mix with some of the best event photographers from around the world.
“It was an amazing experience with spectacular images shortlisted; congratulations to all winners,” Siegel said.
“Massive thank you to my wife Dawn and my father Gordon for always being so supportive and by my side. Three cheers for up helly Aa!”
A record 2,500 photos were entered across the various categories, including the cultural event category in which Siegel had just missed out of coming top.
THE LERWICK lifeboat has received a donation of thermal imaging binoculars to aid the crew’s night-time search and rescue capability from the UK-based charity The Skipasund Foundation.
The binoculars, manufactured by PULSAR, feature a high-resolution thermal sensor that can detect heat sources in complete darkness up to distances of two kilometres.
The waterproof binoculars, which retail for almost £6,000, also have a laser rangefinder, accurate up to 1,000m, as well as a built-in photo and video recorder that can wirelessly transfer digital images to other devices or by cable to a computer hard drive.
Charity founder Haraldur Agustsson, who is also the chief executive of PPE producer Globus (Shetland) Ltd, said: “I have been closely linked to the sea in various ways and the RNLI has always been very close to my heart.”
Lifeboat coxswain Stephen Manson added: “It’s always difficult to spot any casualty in the sea or coastline at night, especially if they’re not wearing anything reflective. “The thermal images from these binoculars will save valuable time spent searching, so we can reach a casualty quicker.”
LOCAL marine engineering firm Ocean Kinetics and partner Green Marine (UK) are currently working on decommissioning a tidal energy platform off Orkney.
The OpenHydro’s steel superstructure installed in 2006 at EMEC’s Fall of Warness test site which is off Eday.
The test rig consisted of two steel piles drilled and grouted into the seabed, with a steel superstructure attached to the piles to provide a working area.
The decommissioning work scope involves the entire removal of the steel superstructure, diamond wire cutting of the piles, along with cable disconnection and termination.
To date, the superstructure has been broken down into a series of smaller components for removal from its static base.
INSURANCE broker TL Dallas, which has an office in Lerwick, has reached an agreement to acquire a number of Highlands and Islands branches of insurance specialist March Commercial.
Group managing director Polly Staveley said: “The acquisition of Marsh Commercial’s business in Elgin, Inverness and Kirkwall represents a significant milestone for TL Dallas, as we continue with our strategy to serve local businesses with local teams, whatever their size.
“We see this as a major growth region for our business.”
