Ramping up: landing craft for organic salmon farmer
Scotland’s newest salmon farmer, Organic Sea Harvest (OSH), has taken delivery of a UK-built landing craft utility vessel from Netherlands-based international shipbuilder Damen.
At just over 19 metres long, the LUV 1908 is the first of a larger version of the LUV 1608s in use by other fish farmers.
The vessel was designed by Damen’s design bureau OSD-IMT to allow it to carry out a wide range of aquaculture support tasks, and built by Coastal Workboats Scotland, which is based in Exeter on England’s south coast.
Damen has provided financing for the vessel.
Ready for work
OSH chief executive Ove Thu said: “Both Damen and Coastal Workboats Scotland have been very supportive during the construction of our vessel and are completely aligned with our mission to encourage sustainable aquaculture in the region.
“During the construction, builders allowed us to fit the vessel with a range of equipment, helping us get her ready for our distinct scope of work. This proved very helpful, as it resulted in the vessel being ready for operation immediately upon delivery.”
A clean ship
Damen sales manager Mike Besijn said: “Organic Sea Harvest wanted a clean ship with minimal power consumption and emissions for maximum sustainability.
“We are delighted that the LUV 1908 meets all their needs and we are very pleased to have built it in the UK. The aquaculture sector is an important market for Damen and we have developed good relationships with its participants. Our decision to build vessels for stock so that we can respond quickly to their needs, demonstrates the confidence that we have in its long-term prospects.”
Like all of OSH’s vessels, the boat has a Gaelic name based on a location near the company’s organic salmon farms at Culnacnoc and and Invertote, off the north east coast of Skye. It is called Bata nam Brathairean, which translates as Boat of the Brothers’ Point and refers to Rubha nam Brathairean, (Brothers’ Point), a dramatic headland marking the easternmost point of Trotternish.
100m² deck space
Measuring 19.1 metres in length (excluding ramp) and 7.5 metres across, the Bata nam Brathairean has a total of 100m² of unobstructed deck space rated at 2.5 tonnes per m² and can carry 40 tonnes of cargo. It is fitted with an HS Marine AK 72/26 E4 fully foldable and telescopic boom type crane.
The Bata nam Brathairean has day accommodation for eight people, includes a toilet, drying locker, pantry/ mess room and an off-watch seating area and navigation console in the wheelhouse.