Alnmaritec, the specialist aluminium boat builder based in Northumberland, UK, recently announced the completion of ‘Shelagh Jane’, a new aquaculture workboat for service on a fish farm on the West Cost of Scotland.

This support boat is a development of the highly successful Alnmaritec Wave Worker class. ‘Shelagh Jane’ is designed specifically to have improved sea-keeping properties to allow the crossing of long distances between fish farm sites. To fulfil this role, the vessel has a unique 16m x 6m hull and is fitted with twin Doosan 150kW engines driving fixed-pitch propellers. She has a 20 tonne hydraulic crane with a sea water ballast system to allow her to pick up heavy cages and she has a large working deck providing plenty of versatility, even allowing her to carry livestock between islands. Inside the wheelhouse is a helm, crew seat and mess with galley and table for three crew as well as ample storage and a WC. She is fitted with a 5 tonne capstan with leads forward and athwart. At the bow she has a removable bulwark for loading over a jetty as well as beaching skegs to allow her to take the ground.

As a result of the closure of the Caldeonian Canal for the winter, the boat had a long and demanding delivery trip from Blyth to up and around the north coast of Scotland and then down through the Western Isles – a journey that occurred in late February, the peak of the Scottish winter. Commenting on the delivery trip the operator stated: “The journey was a very good test for the boat. We found that she has good sea-keeping qualities and is a good stable boat in a sea. The engines also ran very nicely and used considerably less fuel than anticipated!”

Chris Millman, Managing Director of Alnmaritec said – “This is the third boat that we have supplied for this customer which is very pleasing and we are delighted so far with her performance. We hope that she continues to perform above expectations and to serve her new owners well for many years”.