Twelve new jobs planned for Mull mussel farm
Inverlussa mussel farm near Craignure on Mull is adding two new hybrid boats to its 20-vessel fleet, creating 12 new jobs.
The first vessel will be named ‘Eloise Eslea’ and will be delivered late September, with the second vessel (currently known as N023), being delivered late December. The company expects to recruit an additional 12 crew/staff which will take the company’s headcount to 115 local employees.
Scottish Government rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon said: ‘I welcome this significant investment in the aquaculture supply chain by Inverlussa Marine Services which will safeguard existing jobs and create further skilled employment in our island communities.’
The signing of these contracts marks the second and third vessels to be built for Inverlussa at the Holland-based Nauplius Workboats, the first being the recently delivered 34m delousing vessel ‘Camilla Eslea’ which is on a long-term charter to Mowi Scotland.
These will be the first fish farm vessels in Scotland to use azimuth propulsion which enables the vessel to use full power in any direction giving them the ability to move in wind speeds which would normally not be possible with conventional vessels.
Another major attribute is the dynamic positioning system allowing the vessels to remain stationary on any one position for long periods, which is also a first within Scotland.
The vessels have a diesel-electric propulsion system, which, Inverlussa says, ensures optimum availability of power in every working condition, and increases weather resilience. The reduced fuel consumption also helps drive down the operation costs.
Inverlussa was the first service vessel company in Scotland to take delivery of a fully hybrid vessel last year when Laurence Knight was delivered from Moen Marin in Norway.
In addition to this latest order, the company will also take delivery of ‘Geraldine Mary’ a 21-metre semi-hybrid vessel from Macduff Shipyards in May this year.