Orkney Image Library

Hatston Slip

The Hatston Slip, last Wednesday.

I believe the slip was built during WW2 for launching seaplanes from the Hatston airfield (HMS Sparrowhawk), still evident by the huge hangers that form the oldest part ofthe industrial estate. Later the hanger at the top of the road that leads from the slip was a fibreglass boat yard for the firms of Halmatic, then Orcantic when the council took it over, making boats up to trawler size. The 'upturned boat roof' on the chalet at the 'Boatie Stores' in Finstown's Maitland Place is a dummy hull that was used to make one of Halmatic's moulds. I believe plug is the technical term.

Marion asks what the poles sticking up are for- I believe they are there to indicate where the slip is when part's of it are underwater, to aid landing on it and avoid running into it.