A Bute-iful boat for Bakkafrost

Salmon farmer Bakkafrost Scotland has taken delivery of a new £1.2 million landing craft from a Scottish boat builder.

The vessel, built by Bute Boatbuilders, will be used at Bakkafrost Scotland’s farm sites in Loch Striven, Argyll and Bute, and Arran. It has been named Spirit of Bute by 11-year-old Callum Perlich, son of James Perlich, the company’s Ardyne farm site manager.

The latest order takes Bakkafrost Scotland’s investment in boatbuilding on Bute to around £7.2m across seven vessels, helping sustain skilled jobs and the wider marine supply chain on the island. The 19.5-metre by 7.5-metre vessel continues a run of Bakkafrost Scotland builds on Bute, following the Maid of Ulva, Clare Anne, Lady Charlotte, Netty, Fyne Blue, and Lady of Striven.

The builds span a number of years and draw on boatbuilding skills on the island and across the wider marine sector, including apprenticeships supporting the next generation of workers.

Spirit of Bute will be fitted with an FNC8 net washing system used to remove biofouling. Clean nets help maintain water flow through pens, supporting fish health and welfare.

The vessel also has a six-tonne crane and accommodation for crew, helping teams carry out lifting work and other day-to-day jobs across different sites.

Experienced supply chain

Ian Laister, managing director at Bakkafrost Scotland, said: “Spirit of Bute is an important addition to our fleet and a major investment in our farming operations in Loch Striven and Arran.

“It has been built around the day-to-day needs of our operations and will play a key role in work on site, from net cleaning to lifting and general farm support.

“This latest order reflects the standard of work being delivered by Bute Boatbuilders and also represents investment in a skilled west coast supply chain with deep experience of the aquaculture sector. That matters to us as a business rooted in coastal communities and committed to backing the people and businesses that support our operations.”

Sustaining skills

Ewen Ferguson, director at Bute Boatbuilders, said: “Building Spirit of Bute for Bakkafrost Scotland has been hugely valuable for the island’s economy, helping sustain specialist boatbuilding skills and allowing them to be passed on to the next generation.

“As a relatively new business, a contract like this also raises our profile and helps support future opportunities. It has been a pleasure to build Spirit of Bute for Bakkafrost Scotland and we are grateful for their continued support of local yards.”