The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Subsea training centre goes under
Fifty jobs in Highland town at risk
Aworld-leading Highland subsea training facility deemed vital to the offshore industry has been placed into administration, putting around 50 jobs at risk.
Bosses at the Underwater Centre in Fort William announced yesterday they had been forced to cease trading as one of only two centres in Europe that offers closed bell training to divers.
David McGhie, managing director of facility, said he was “heartbroken” to announce the closure, having been hopeful of finding a solution.
A spokesperson from Highlands and Islands Enterprise said its “key focus” was to find a way Fort William can continue to maintain its expertise in the sector.
The centre was reported to be in financial difficulties late last year when its subsidiary in Australia fell into liquidation.
But in May it was thought to have been rescued from the threat of closure after an industry collaboration with offshore firms.
Oil and Gas UK, Subsea 7, TechnipFMC, Premier Oil and the Scottish Government’s HIE joined forces to try to secure its long-term future.
However that failed to save it from going into administration. Mr McGhie said: “We regret to confirm that The Underwater Centre has been forced to cease trading and will be placed into administration.
“It was heart-breaking informing our committed, loyal and professional staff and some students who were due to begin a course this week.
“Government, industry and the local management team have been working hard over the past year to try and find a sustainable solution for the centre.
“Unfortunately this has not been possible.
“We were still hopeful of a solution right up to the 11th hour which is why some students have been adversely affected.”
Kate Forbes MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, said “no stone has been left unturned” trying to find a means to keep the centre running.
“The Underwater Centre truly is an organisation of global significance, built up over many years in Fort William,” she said.
“The team of staff and management are exceptionally hard working and very talented, so this is a really unwelcome situation.”