Shetland boat manufacturer Unst Inshore Services has won a £47,103 commission by Highlands and Islands Enterprise to design a new type of vessel for the oil and gas industry.
The experimental prototype is to be produced this year and tested for high specification durability, safety and low carbon emissions.
The company had previously developed a successful line in fast support craft, the Flugga Boat range, constructed from aluminium and high density polyethylene plastic pipes.
The rugged construction results in lower overall maintenance costs and greatly increased working life, the firm claims.
The new vessel design will incorporate the Flugga Boat’s features and will be destined for various offshore energy markets, including renewables.
“We were approached by a company when exhibiting at the Seawork Commercial Marine Exhibition 2013 in Southampton,” said Brydon Barclay, Unst Inshore Services’ director.
“We had done some work for them before, which had obviously been well received.
“The offer was ‘if we could build them, they would buy them.’ So now we need to get it done.
“It is a new line for us, but one that sits very neatly into the company’s capabilities.”