www.diia.info DIIA SPECIAL REPORT – SCOTTISH MARINE CONTRACTORS SUPPLEMENT

To service and supply the offshore oil & gas industry, any marine contractor really has to have a proven track record of reliability, cost effectiveness & safety. Reports from many multi-national rig operators and those involved with port operations on the Cromarty Forth suggest MF Marine Operations meet the criteria. number of commentators have recently expressed the view that past months of global financial insecurity and rising fuel costs have tested manufacturers, suppliers, support companies and individuals on the Cromarty Forth to the limit. Certain sectors however are successfully battling the storm. For instance, over 150 full turbine assemblies have been shipped through the Invergordon Service Base Area; two 5MW experimental offshore wind turbines were assembled and transported from the Port, as well as equipment linked to experimental wave and tidal construction. The Cromarty Firth provides a specialist supply chain to meet all your requirements in the fabrication and maintenance of sub-sea structures.  Many of the largest sub-sea contractors use the Cromarty Firth regularly for fabrication, servicing and maintenance, utilising the excellent base at Invergordon with its large lay-down area and fabrication facilities.  An experienced local supply chain in all elements of sub-sea engineering, able to fabricate and repair large manifolds, jackets and caissons with direct quay access at the Invergordon Service Base. Highland Deephaven has a modern pipe spooling facility with stern-to loading berth. Mob and demob berthing facilities for sub-sea vessels with good heavy crane access and the ability to utilise the vessels own deck cranes direct to the quay.  The Cromarty Firth has no weather restrictions, access and working available 24 hours per day 365 days per year with no working restrictions other than environmental and safety requirements. MF Marine Operations It’s in the multi-role port environment of the Cromarty & Inverness Firths, the inner Moray Firth and the Caledonian Canal that the services of MF Marine Operations are clearly valued. The company currently operate several vessels and barges, in a variety of roles including the transportation of cargo and personnel, the supply of potable water and fuel, safety standby cover, crane/lifting platforms, oilrig anchor chain removal/reinstatement, cruise liner and oil tanker mooring, and general harbour duties. They also specialise in carrying long/wide and heavy loads. The company is also intending to run a vessel called the "Pioneer": an MCA coded crew transfer vessel.  The Pioneer can be used for crew transfers in the Inner Moray Firth and Moray Firth Coastal area (to 20 miles). MF Marine Operations expertise and commitment have covered projects and services such as: The carriage and supply of personnel, materials, water and many other elements to the oil industry Providing stand-by and surveying vessels for the construction industry Moving large and heavy structures for the fabrications industry Harbour front and fender repair/replacement Fendering to the sub-sea industry Mooring of tankers, cruise liners and other vessels Salvage and diving support Laying moorings Deploying large marker/weather buoys Oilrig anchor chain handling Seismic and acoustic equipment testing Providing platform for piling operations Transportation of live fish for the aquaculture industry Boats and Barges Albatross – Motorised Flat-Top Barge. Twin screw, 500 hp, up to 100T deck load, 100T potable water capacity Rosehaugh – Multipurpose / Cargo Boat. 30m x 8m clear deck space, 10T Crane, 10T Winch, facilities for handling oilrig anchor chain, extremely manoeuvrable with twin Voith-Schneider drive Houton Lass – 19m Landing Craft with 4T crane Latest Fleet Member: Pioneer - 13m MCA Coded Crew Boat. Twin 525hp Engines. Available for Personnel Transfer in the Moray Firth area Tern – 12m Workboat. 240 hp Bustler – 10.5m Workboat with capstan winch & "A" Frame Auk – 14m dedicated Passenger Boat Skua – 10m Tug/Workboat. 180 hp Heron – Beaver Workboat. 120 hp Puffin – Beaver Workboat. 120 hp Merlin – 11.5m Tug/Workboat. 290 hp Bowser – Fuel Barge up to 280m3, can pump at 100m3 per hour to oilrig deck level Condor 3 – 24.5m x 24.5m Flat-Top Barge suitable for heavy crane/plant operations Other – A range of Flat-Top Barges and smaller Standby Boats are also available Photo left: MF Marine Services motorized flat-top barge ‘Albatross’ transporting sub-sea riser equipment. Established in 1967 as a passenger ferry operator, MF Marine Operations Limited evolved to meet the needs of oil industry, and other activity, in and around the Cromarty Firth and inner Moray Firth areas. The company are able to offer a comprehensive range of marine services including workboat and barge hire, marine labour services, consultancy and project management. MF Marine Operations Limited have been the leading marine transport supplier to the drilling companies that have been coming to the Cromarty Firth since the early 1980’s, and today they continue to provide essential services to the engineering companies carrying out Inspection, Repair and Maintenance work on the visiting oilrigs. As well as working with the oil industry, MF Marine Operations Limited have worked on civil engineering and construction projects, are regularly involved with lifting and mooring operations & salvage operations, have provided boats for survey companies, worked with the aquaculture industry, and have a growing involvement with marine renewables projects. Maritime & Aviation Heritage MF Marine Operations are no strangers when it comes to heritage and restoration projects. The company were involved the raising of a WWII Wellington bomber from the depths of Scotland’s Loch Ness back in the 80’s. This year, they have decided to support a project backed by the Scottish Government that will see one of the world’s first diesel-geared tugboats, the M/V Golden Cross, being restored and refitted so that the vessel can be used to carry a Safety at Sea message to commercial marine operators and leisure craft users in the Clyde, Western Isles and other coastal areas. The project will also see this famous Scots ship assisting in the promotion of marine companies, products & systems (including alternative energy & sustainable fishing) to home and overseas friends of Scotland. MF’s management team has a wealth of experience and knowledge gained from work in the civil engineering, offshore, aquaculture and marine engineering industries, as well as many years with workboats and marine services. Their crew, engineering support, and other operatives are highly experienced, competent individuals, whom have helped develop a company culture that is one of professionalism combined with a positive “Yes, We Can!” attitude. West Harbour Invergordon Ross Shire IV18 0EX Tel: 01349 853 669 Fax: 01349 854 116 info@mfmarine.co.uk www.mfmarine.co.uk (c)DIIA Dec2011

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The Cromarty Firth is home to North Scotland’s premier deep water port and is well known in the oil and gas industry for its skilled engineering supply chain. Today’s activities see the Cromarty Firth as a centre for Sub-sea structure, fabrication and maintenance; onshore and offshore wind assembly and logistics; bulk and general cargo handling and in the summer months, over 50,000 cruise passengers visit the Firth. Servicing the alternative energy sector "Condor 3 barge with 250t Crane replacing Ocean Nomad Anchor Winches" "Rosehaugh with Oilrig Anchor Chain on deck" "Rosehaugh being loaded with Drill Casings" "Rosehaugh moving Subsea Equipment"