Inverlussa takes delivery of second
hybrid-power vessel
The workboat for Scottish Sea Farms brings the Mull-based marine services provider's fleet to 19
Mull-based Inverlussa Marine Services has today taken delivery of new hybrid-power vessel, the Eloise Eslea, which will be fitted with a Scale AQ Thermolicer before starting a service contract with Scotland’s second biggest salmon producer, Scottish Sea Farms (SSF).
Designed and built at Nauplius Workboats in the Netherlands, the Eloise Eslea is equipped with dynamic positioning to increase usability at farm sites during severe weather and provide a safer working environment for crew.
The 27-metre workboat is fitted with diesel electric propulsion and a 400 kWh battery hybrid system to lower fuel consumption and emissions during standby or overnight.
A huge investment
Inverlussa managing director Ben Wilson said: “The Eloise Eslea is another fantastic addition to our fleet, representing a huge investment both in terms of local job creation and in the future of the Scottish aquaculture sector.”
The vessel will now travel to Shetland where it will be fitted with Scale AQ’s latest thermal delousing system, with engineering works by Ocean Kinetics, ahead of going into service in 2023.
SSF Shetland engineering manager and project lead Keith Fraser said: “The Eloise Eslea adopts all the advances previously made when designing sister ship, the Kallista Helen, and builds on those with a number of adjustments and enhancements. The result will be an even gentler, swifter experience for the fish and a safer, more secure environment for the crew.”
More hybrids
The arrival of the vessel takes Inverlussa Marine Services’ fleet to 19 and has created a further six jobs within the company, bringing the total number of employees to 110, the majority of whom live in the same remote coastal communities as they work.
It also adds to the company’s green credentials. Inverlussa already owns and operates a 15-metre hybrid catamaran, the Laurence Knight, which is also on a contract with SSF.
And another hybrid, the Isaac Eslea, a sister ship to the Eloise Eslea, is on order from Nauplius.
Tavish Scott, chief executive of trade body Salmon Scotland, said: “Inverlussa are leaders in the Scottish shipping sector and a shining example of the more than 3,600 supply chain businesses that make an essential contribution to the Scottish salmon sector.
Lower footprint
“The family-owned firm’s continued investment in new vessels with a lower carbon footprint will enable Scottish Sea Farms’ Shetland farming operations to operate even more sustainably, whatever the weather, and generate jobs and prosperity in our island communities.
“We congratulate all at Inverlussa on the launch of the Eloise Eslea and wish the ship and the company every success over the coming years.”
Gerrit Knol, owner of Nauplius Workboats, said on LinkedIn that the company had just had “an amazing two days” with sea trials for the Eloise Eslea.
“All systems working smoothly and the vessel performs above expectations. The three generators (1700 ekW) worked perfect together via the PMS system and battery pack (316 kWh). Vessel is equipped with a DP (dynamic positioning) system and it worked perfect with the L-drives and bow thruster,” wrote Knol.
“Last, but not least, the noise levels were just like her bigger sister vessel Camilla Eslea in service, [being] extremely low… at 80% maximum continuous rating noise levels stayed below 55 dB(A) in the crew cabins.”
