Fifty jobs saved as diving centre finds new owners
MORE than 50 jobs have been secured after a deal was announced to restructure Fort William’s world-famous subsea training facility, The Underwater Centre.
Industry and public bodies, including Subsea 7, TechnipFMC, Premier Oil, Oil & Gas UK, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), have collaborated to support The Underwater Centre, based on the shores of Loch Linnhe, and ensure its future success.
The company will now operate as a not-for-profit enterprise limited by guarantee, which will be funded and supported by its members, comprising operators, service companies and industry.
Senior representatives of Subsea 7, TechnipFMC and Premier Oil will join the board of The Underwater Centre.
The restructuring ensures the industry continues to have access to critical, world-leading underwater training and can undertake vital subsea equipment trials.
As well as securing the jobs of more than 50 staff, plans to enhance the service the centre offers the subsea industry means the number of jobs is likely to increase.
And in good news for Fort William and the wider area, the presence of more than 200 diving and ROV students each year and their accompanying impact on businesses is also secured, as is the export earnings that the 50 per cent of the centre’s overseas students bring.
David McGhie, managing director of The Underwater Centre, welcomed the move, saying: ‘The centre is of crucial importance to the North Sea industry as one of only two centres in Europe which provides closed-bell diver training – a skill set which is vital to the North Sea.
‘We are delighted that the industry and Scottish Government have collaborated to ensure the future of the centre.
‘This genuinely positive collaboration will help to increase the value we can offer our customers and the entire industry in the future.
‘As a not-for-profit company, any surplus will be reinvested in improving quality and maintaining high standards and in new equipment and technology to support testing and trials, keeping us at the forefront globally.’
And he paid tribute to local businessman Finlay Finlayson, who took over the centre in 2004 along with his wife, Lorna.
‘Finlay has been key in taking forward this development and has been fully supportive of the restructuring of the company. Finlay will continue his involvement in the company at a senior level,’ said Mr McGhie.
‘The Finlayson family has done a fantastic job of taking the company to where it is today and its role in the town.’
Commenting on the move, Oil & Gas UK chief executive Deirdre Michie said it is increasingly important the UK’s offshore oil and gas industry works together to consolidate areas of strength.
‘Oil & Gas UK is pleased to have worked with our peers to secure an outcome which maintains the breadth of expertise and institutional knowledge at this excellent facility,’ she said.
Phil Simons, senior vice-president projects and operations, Subsea 7, added: ‘This is a win-win for the centre and the industry.
‘Being even more closely aligned with the leading subsea contractors under this new structure will ensure the centre can further tailor its offering to meeting current and future industry needs.’
And Susan Smith, acting area manager, Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said her organisation was delighted to support the collaboration.
‘This move will safeguard more than 50 high value jobs in Fort William and provide a platform to underpin business growth in the years ahead,’ she added.
The centre is of crucial importance to the North Sea industry as one of only two in Europe