The new 24-metre workboat, the ‘Turas a ‘Bhradain’ (Gaelic for ‘the salmon’s journey’) has been completed by Macduff Shipyards and delivered to her new Scottish salmon producer owner.
Bakkafrost Scotland, which expects to harvest 30,000 gutted weight tonnes of fish this year, commissioned the £2.6 million vessel from the Macduff Shipyards in Aberdeenshire. It is the first of two bespoke sister vessels being built by the yard for the business.
A competition was held to name the new workboat with Chloe Macdonald, aged 6, from the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides winning the competition with ‘Turas a ‘Bhradain’.
Ian Laister, managing director at Bakkafrost Scotland, said, “By commissioning the Turas a ‘Bhradain and the second workboat from Macduff Shipyards we have been in a position to support approximately 250 jobs at the [Macduff] yard which will hopefully help the business to continue investing in young people, where they are typically hiring 10-12 apprentices annually.
“Bakkafrost Scotland is committed to investing in an environmentally sensitive manner and in local communities by actively awarding contracts where possible to local businesses.
"This deal is important to us and integral to our plan for responsible growth."
The Turas a ’Bhradain will be operational from mid-July, playing a key role in fish health.
Vessel particulars;
Length OA: 24.0 metres Breadth: 9.0m Depth: 3.1m Maximum draft: 2.25 m Fuel Capacity: 14,000 litres Fresh Water Capacity: 5,000 litres Deck Cargo capacity: 125 tonnes The vessel has two cranes: HS Marine AK 61 4E and AK30 HE3 Main engines: 2 x Doosan 4L 126 CAKH – 373 KW @ 2000 RPM
