Extra Mayo
Irish workboat supplier branching out in Scotland
AWORKBOAT company operating from the Irish coastal town of Westport, close to the ‘gaeltacht’ area of County Mayo, has secured its first assignment in Scotland at a fish farm site on the Isle of Skye. . O’Malley Marine Plant hopes that the work on Skye, which involves net washing and various other tasks, will lead to more aquaculture related opportunities in the Scottish market.
O’Malley is run by two brothers, Charles and Gerard O’Malley, and the company currently has three workboats: the MV James, the MV True Light and the MV Tormore.
It was only established in 2018 and the brothers also own and operate Malley Ferries (Clare Island) Limited, which provides year round ferry links between the Irish mainland and Clare Island and Inishturk. The O’Malley family originate from Clare Island and have been seafarers for many generations.
The Westport company has 10 employees but is looking to expand. Its reputation for successfully completing jobs on time and within budget has brought the firm to the attention of several companies working in the aquaculture sector.
O’Malley has previously worked with Mowi in the Republic of Ireland but the contract on Skye is the first time it has operated at a fish farm site in Scotland.
The current workboat being used has a crane, 3 ISO tanks, 1000 tonne deck cargo, and 115 square metre deck area, as well as a workshop and accommodation for up to six people.
Charles O’Malley said that the company is very keen to build on the work being done on Skye.
‘There’s no doubt about it, that after getting our first Scottish assignment, we are keen to work on other sites here,’ he told Fish Farmer.
‘The work we have done with Mowi in Ireland went very well, but we are now very open to exploring opportunities in the Scottish market.
‘As well as our existing fleet, we have another small workboat coming online in about two months’ time and so we will be able to offer that as well.’
O’Malley takes on a wide range of jobs outside the aquaculture sector, and some of its workboats’ other activities have included anchor handling, carriage of rock armour, dredging support, the transfer of fuel and freshwater to other vessels, the transfer of cargo and equipment using the vessels own cranes and bough loading ramp, and the deployment and retrieval of buoys.
Most recently, the MV James has also been working in the highlands of Scotland, ferrying articulated trucks and other vehicles between the Isle of Islay and the Isle of Jura.
The James, a landing craft originally built in Germany in 1953 but completely refurbished 10 years ago, had also been involved before Christmas in assisting in the repairs to Dun Laoghaire Harbour in Co Dublin, which were a result of damage from Storm Emma in 2018.
After getting our first Scottish assignment, we are keen to work on other sites here”