Fish farmer has got the commute covered
Enclosed boat makes trip to site faster and more pleasant for staff
Staff at three fish farms will have drier, warmer, and faster rides to work this winter following an investment by salmon farmer Scottish Sea Farms, which has bought one new and two refurbished personnel vessels from Arran Workboats.
A 9-metre new-build vessel, the Leigha-Anne, has been deployed at SSF’s Lismore West site, which has a round-trip commute of 24 miles.
The Leigha-Anne, named after trainee manager Ross McNab’s daughter, came into service in June, SSF reported in its newsletter, The Source. The heavy-duty enclosed vessel ensures the farm crew avoids the worst of the weather en route to work.
Refurbished boats
Two further Arran Workboats vessels, five years old but to the same design, have also been purchased and refurbished to comply with the new Marine and Coastguard Agency Workboat Code 3, which comes into force in December 2026 and requires changes to the construction and operation of vessels.
The upgraded boats will operate at Bloody Bay and Charlotte’s Bay and are named after former Charlotte’s Bay manager Stephen Woods’ granddaughter, and farm support manager Andrew MacLeannan’s two daughters.
Mainland marine engineering manager Craig Cameron told The Source staff welfare was key in the investment.
“Not only are all these boats covered, but they also come with seating, complete with shock absorbers, so the crew are not bouncing about on rough seas,” said Cameron. “That’s a huge advance in safety. The crews have been on the boats and the feedback is very positive.”
Faster and warmer trip
Lismore West farm manager David MacMillan said his team’s commute was one of the longest in Scottish Sea Farms and is now much more pleasant.
“It used to take about 40 minutes one way but now we’re getting there in 25 minutes. And with heating throughout and the latest man overboard recovery system, we can go out in all weathers. We won’t have to scrape ice off the windows and winter won’t feel like winter!”
Scottish Sea Farms has a long-standing relationship with Arran Workboats, said Cameron.
“We always look to work with local builders wherever possible. We received a number of strong tenders and are grateful to everyone who took the time to submit. On this occasion, we selected Arran based on both price and the quality of work we know they can deliver.”
