WATCH: Cromarty Firth cruise liner makes itself heard amid horn blast backlash – 'A beautiful sight and sound tonight'
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A PETITION backing the sounding of cruise liner horns passing Cromarty has now been signed by 1600 people.
The Cromarty Firth row began to create major waves after a complaint about the noise of the horn blasts was logged by a member of the public in the Black Isle village.
Liners docking at Invergordon have become a familiar sight in recent years.
What do those horns sound like?
SEE ALSO: Why mega liners are an attraction in themselves for some
Have Cromarty Firth cruise liner horn blasts been silenced for good?
POLL: Do YOU think the horn blasts could be banned. Have your say
The tens of thousands of passengers and crew they bring in are estimated to be worth up to £20m a year to the Highlands – and Inverness itself is a major beneficiary with bus loads of visitors brought in to the city every day at peak cruise times.
In a petition titled 'Bring back the horns of cruise liners passing Cromarty!' local resident Toria Anderson states: "It has come to light in recent days that an individual in Cromarty complained about the cruise liners sounding their horns when passing Cromarty.
"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.
"Cromarty residents and visitors love seeing the liners pass and the horns sounding.
"On a safety aspect, cruise liners alongside other boats in our waters need to sound their horns to alert of their passing especially in foggy conditions or 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!
"Let’s sign the petition and bring back the horns to our local community."
The petition can be found here.
The Port of Cromarty Firth in Invergordon meanwhile issued a statement calling on residents to make their feelings known "on the long-standing practice of cruise ships sounding their horns as they leave the Firth".
The PoCF holds quarterly joint meetings with the nine community councils which border the Firth and the complaint and feedback about the farewell traditions will be discussed at their next meeting on June 29.
A spokesperson for the PoCF said: “At the moment, following a complaint from a member of the public in Cromarty, cruise ships are still being asked to refrain from sounding their horns as they leave the Firth.
“We will seek the views of the communities around the Firth at our next quarterly joint community councils meeting later this month. If people feel strongly for or against the ship’s farewell horn blasts, we urge them to share their feedback with their local community council or directly with the Port before the 29th June, so that this can be taken into account.
“The ships continue to sound their horns as they leave Invergordon and, If the communities of Cromarty and Nigg feel strongly about them sounding their horns as they leave the Firth, we will respect the wishes they express and advise the cruise ship operators accordingly.”
