Phoenix feed barge rises from the ashes
A fish farm feed barge badly damaged by fire in January is almost ready to be deployed after being restored by local contractors, and engineers working for salmon producer Cooke Scotland.
A large shed on top of the concrete hull of the barge, which was at Cooke’s West Fara farm, Orkney, was destroyed in the blaze.
One of the contractors involved in repairing the barge, Robbie Rendall, wrote about the restoration on Facebook.
“Worked on this barge for nearly 4 years and it burnt down earlier this year, which was a sad sight. Shed total right off and all equipment below swimming in over a foot of dirty water and everything smoke damaged,” recalled Rendall. “9 month later after a great job by Sean Stanger Joinery & Building taking remains of old Shed down and building new one and some shift by engineers and electricians at Cooke Scotland over past 2 months the old lady has come to life again and ready to feed fish! Great to see and very much enjoyed being involved in the project.”
In its own Facebook post, Sean Stanger Joinery said the fact that the hull of the barge was still in the water, alongside the wharf at Lyness, Orkney, added a challenge to the job.
"Whilst it was moored at Lyness pier, we dismantled the remains of the shed, shuttered new footing walls and erected a new galvanised steel frame shed. Working on a floating work surface made for an interesting job, but the lads have done a grand job for the customer," wrote the company.
Modernised facilities
Murray Spooner, communications manager at Cooke Scotland, said: “We are pleased work on the rebuilding of the West Fara feed barge is in the final stages of completion, and we would like to thank all the local contractors and our staff for their help in reinstating the building.
“Due to the extent of the damage, the cause of the fire was proven to be inconclusive however, it was reported it may have started in the office area. Built on the existing concrete structure, the shell of the new barge is made from galvanised steel, with added modernised internal facilities and office space.”
