The latest vessel of Inverlussa
Marine Services designed by MacDuff Ship Designers (Banffshire): due to be
launched April 2012. The vessel is to be named “Helen Burnie”
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Hidden Marine Assets
Photo right:
Duart Castle, Isle of Mull: home to the Macleans. However,
this West Coast paradise - the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides with a coastline of 480 kilometres (300 mi)
and a climate moderated by the Gulf Stream seldom receives attention as a
source for coastal supply vessels with multi role capability,
renewable-energy support and survey work. That’s about to change!
Changing with the times Inverlussa Marine
Services has already established a reputation for providing efficient and
reliable logistical services in and around the West Coast of Scotland,
including Isle of Man and Southern Ireland. In the last few years, the
company has carried out public car ferry relief work, tidal energy survey
work, offshore marine farm surveys, dive support for both salvage and civil
engineering, coastal transport including fish feed delivery, non standard
cargo transport and cable laying. Now Inverlussa plans to build on that
maritime expertise.
He went on to
say, “Inverlussa has already been successfully involved with tidal
energy survey work for both the Sound of Islay (photo left) and Kylerhea alternative energy projects. There is no doubt, with our new
vessel - wind, wave and tidal power companies will soon identify the
advantages such a well designed vessel can provide to their operations. I am
sure the Helen Burnie will –
and will continue to - be increasingly in demand for years to come.
Currently, in Scotland, installation of new offshore wind farms and
development of tidal and wave power sites race ahead at an impressive rate of
knots. In fact Scotland is leading the world in innovative alternative energy
projects.” Fellow
director, Douglas Wilson added, “Inversussa is fast becoming the Mull
based center of excellence for marine logistical supply, support & survey
services.” A Natural Extension
of Service
Over the next 10
years the mussel farm slowly grew until the company was in a position to
commission its first purpose built mussel farm vessel "Kilean". The
arrival of the this new vessel in May 1999 was a boost to efficiency,
production and working conditions, and within a few years the farms output
tonnage of rope grown mussels was one of the highest in the country. As
production increased, and also acquiring a neighbouring mussel farm, it
became clear at a second vessel was needed. Photo left: Mussel farm vessel
‘Kilean’
Due to the semi
seasonal nature of the mussel farming cycle, the business saw the opportunity
to be able to undertake some contracting, delivery and ferry work for salmon
farms and small island servicing. Photo left: Work vessel
‘Margaret Sinclair’
After steadily
building up the marine service side of the business, the opportunity arose in
early 2010, to buy over an associated marine transport operator. This sale
included the "Carol Anne", a very capable 16m Nobles built
workboat, and this gave ‘Inverlussa Marine Services’ the flexibility to improve and expand
their services. Maritime Expertise There’s no
shortage of work for professional marine contractors in Scottish waters or
the Irish Sea.
Community Spirit Photo far left: Ben Wilson of
Inverlussa Marine Services. Photo below right: HMRT Golden Cross
Ever conscious of
the importance of Safety at Sea and
an avid supporter of the local community, Inverlussa Marine Services are
sponsoring a project to save the historic Scots rescue tug Golden Cross, one of the world’s
first diesel-geared tugs with direct bridge control: a vessel that was
launched in time to assist HMY Britannia
on her 1st Overseas Departure in 1956 and the tugboat that was
invited by Buckingham Palace to act as sole Official Escort to the Royal
Yacht on Britannia’s Final Farewell Voyage in 1997 (Pool of
London/Portsmouth). The tugboat,
recently brought home to Argyll & Bute by Svitzer Marine, is to be
refitted so that she can take a Safety at Sea message to commercial marine
operators and leisure craft users on the Clyde and Western Isles. This
non-profit making community exercise will also see the Golden Cross highlighting the services of marine contractors,
maritime products & services plus sustainable fish production to home
& overseas friends of Scotland with assistance of the Scottish
Government. Ben Wilson said,
“I am delighted to assist this worthwhile project to preserve Scots
maritime heritage and see the vessel take up a useful business and community
role in future years.” Reports suggest
that Inverlussa Marine Services are also heading into ‘fair winds &
following seas’. One thing’s
for certain: Inverlussa is now
flexing its mussels! FOR FURTHER DATA: Ben Wilson Director
Ferry Services:
(c)
DIIA 2011 Dec. |
