Work begins on second Scottish-built workboat for Bakkafrost
Work has started on a second Scottish-built 24-metre workboat for salmon farmer Bakkafrost Scotland following the delivery of the first vessel, Turas a ’Bhradain, to the company this month.
The £2.6 million Turas a ’Bhradain (Gaelic for ‘the salmon’s journey’) was constructed in a year by Macduff Shipyards following a detailed design process involving Bakkafrost owners and operational staff, the shipyard, and Macduff Ship Design. The second, near-identical, vessel is due for delivery in July 2024.
Constructed entirely from steel to a hard-chine, landing craft, hull form, Turas a ’Bhradain is designed as a multirole workboat with large open working deck with offset port casing for improved starboard side access and a large forward ramp. The layout will allow for the vessel to complete a wide range of tasks from general cargo duties through to specific aquaculture services.
The design was a development of the Helen Rice and Geraldine Mary workboats designed by Macduff Ship Design and owned by Inverlussa Marine Services, Mull. MacDuff Ship Design managing director Ian Ellis said steelwork was now progressing on the sister ship to the Turas a ’Bhradain.
Fish health treatments
Initially the Turas a ’Bhradain will be operate alongside Bakkafrost Scotland’s wellboats Ronja Star and Ronja Fisk, playing a key role in fish health by preparing the pens for the wellboats to carry out freshwater treatments.
The workboat is equipped with an array of equipment to allow it to operate in a range of different roles. The main propulsion is provided by twin emissions-compliant Doosan 4l 126 CAKH engines delivering 373 Kw @ 2000 rpm. On deck there are two marine cranes to starboard both supplied by HS Marine; 1 x AK61 4E and 1 x AK30 HE3.
The engines drive two 1500mm propellers supplied by Teignbridge propulsion. These are fitted in nozzles to give excellent levels of bollard pull and there is also a stern thruster, said Macduff Ship Design. The nozzles and thruster were supplied by Kort Propulsion. Combined with the twin screw set-up, they give excellent low speed manoeuvrability for operations in and around fish farm cages.
Bow ramp
The hydraulic package comprises three capstans all arranged to starboard, an anchor windlass, hydraulic rams for operation of the bow ramp, and a tow winch situated on the centre line. Due to the offset position of the casing, the winch can work both aft over a stern roller or forward over a narrow roller built into the bow ramp.
The vessel complements its extensive deck machinery package with a large cargo carrying capability for a vessel of its size, being able to carry a maximum capacity of 125 tonnes of deck cargo and having deck fittings for 3 x 20 foot ISO containers. The general arrangement of the vessel can be seen here.
Supporting jobs
Earlier this month Bakkafrost Scotland managing director Ian Laister 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 yard which will hopefully help the business to continue investing in young people, where they are typically hiring 10-12 apprentices annually.
“Bakkafrost Scotland are 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.”
