Salmon workboat is milestone for Ferguson Marine
THE first of two new boats built by Inverlussa for the Scottish aquaculture market was launched last month at Ferguson Marine.
The Helen Rice is the first vessel to be completed since the Port Glasgow yard came into public ownership in December, following a dispute over a multi-million pound CalMac ferries contract.
The 21m support vessel for the salmon sector has now been lifted into the Clyde and handed over to Inverlussa Marine Services, a family owned business based in the Isle of Mull.
Inverlussa managing director Ben Wilson said: ‘We were delighted to build this vessel in Scotland. I would like to thank Ferguson Marine and their workforce for delivering such a well crafted vessel.
‘We are looking forward to Helen Rice starting work providing important services to the Scottish fish farm industry.
‘The delivery of this vessel continues our strategy of investing in the best vessels and crew.’
The Helen Rice has been designed specifically for multi-role mooring and grid work, along with general site services.
The second Inverlussa vessel being built by Ferguson Marine, a 26m multi-role treatment vessel, will be delivered in the summer.
It is expected to be fitted with a new, high capacity Thermolicer, which will be going on long-term charter to Scottish Sea Farms.
The 26m boat has an innovative design featuring two decks, offering greater flexibility and higher utilisation to perform mechanical treatments, as well as site work tasks
Both the new Inverlussa boats have been designed by Macduff Ship Design in collaboration with Inverlussa.
Ferguson Marine went into administration following a dispute with Caledonian Maritime Assets – which buys and leases CalMac ships on behalf of the Scottish government – over the construction of two ferries under a £97 million fixed price contract.