Blueshell Mussels, located in Brae in Shetland, has been able to take delivery of a new Landing Utility Vessel (LUV) 2208 just weeks after signing the contract with Damen Shipyards Group in April.
The 21.70-metre by 7.50-metre beam Bountiful is designed to conduct a range of coastal and harbour operations, including transport of both people and equipment. This design is often deployed to islands where it operates in the aquaculture industry or as a lifeline for remote communities, and in this case the new vessel will be supporting the Blueshell Mussels’ harvesting operation in the Shetland Islands.
In the aquaculture sector, the LUV 2208 is able to handle large nets and cables and, with its robust bow ramp, load and unload harvests. It provides a large, free deck area capable of handling up to 70 tonnes of equipment. The vessel can be outfitted with a crane able to lift 2500kg at a 15.5 metre extension or 15 tonnes at 3.5 metres.
‘It has been a pleasure to cooperate with Blueshell Mussels on the contract for this vessel. Within just a few weeks of our initial contact, the company felt able to place their order,’ said Damen sales manager UK Wijtze van der Leij.
Damen builds its vessels in series and maintains a stock, enabling fast delivery of a proven product. The LUV 2208 ordered by Blueshell Mussels was one of two that Damen had in stock at the time. As a result of this, Blueshell Mussels was able to take delivery of its new vessel almost immediately following the signing of the contract.
‘Thanks to Damen’s stock building programme, we were able to take delivery of this vessel in a very short timeframe. The vessel was then moved to Macduff and designs are now being done to modify the vessel for our bespoke mussel farming operations,’ commented Michael Laurenson of Blueshell Mussels
