Pembrokeshire company Mainstay Marine Solutions has won the contracts to deliver two new fisheries patrol vessels for Wales.
Following some competitive international bidding, the company has contracted to built a 26 metre monohull patrol vessel for South Fisheries and a 19 metre catamaran patrol vessel for North Fisheries. The two patrol vessels for Welsh waters will be built by a company based in Wales, providing skilled employment in Pembrokeshire.
According to Mainstay Marine, the new vessels will replace the current ageing boats, to provide effective protection from illegal fishing activity in Welsh waters and safeguard Wales’ fishing industry and coastal communities in the years ahead.
Since its inception in 2014, Mainstay Marine has safeguarded 30 jobs and created 50 new positions, with 98% of its employees based in Pembrokeshire. The company also employs 10% of its direct workforce as apprentices.
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, announced the contracts during a visit to Mainstay Marine Solutions’ facilities in Pembroke Dock to see the workshops where the vessels will be built.
‘The Welsh Government takes very seriously its responsibility for managing and protecting Welsh seas and it’s important we have the capability to do this. I am pleased we are replacing our ageing fleet and proud a Welsh company has been successful in winning the contract to complete this work,’ Lesley Griffiths said.
‘Mainstay Marine Solutions has shown a commitment to up-skilling and developing its workforce locally and it is anticipated the continued success of the company will help create further jobs locally, which is excellent news for the local economy.’
Mainstay Marine Solutions managing director Stewart Graves said that the company continues to grow and win new business, and is delighted to have won the contract to deliver these two vessels for the Welsh Fisheries Protection Fleet.
‘Two things are fundamental to our success. The first is our workforce with its comprehensive range of skills and its pride in safely delivering high quality products. The second, is the excellent support we have received from the Welsh Government, Finance Wales, and Milford Haven Port Authority,’ he said.
‘Mainstay Marine won these contracts against significant international competition, it is a great message of confidence in the business and demonstrates the competitiveness of our thriving Welsh Design and Build Shipyard.’
The two new vessels are expected to be in service by the autumn of next year.
Liverpool-based Marine Specialised Technology has been awarded the contract to supply the Cabin RIB.
‘We are delighted to be part of this prestigious project supplying the Cabin RIB which is a flagship project for us. Fisheries enforcement is a key market for us and this craft will be the pinnacle of small craft technology,’ said Marine Specialised Technology sales director Philip Hibbert.
