A NORTH-EAST firm which inspects, tests and services lifeboats and associated equipment is to export key skills to service the offshore and maritime sectors in Western Australia.
Survival Craft Inspectorate (SCI), of Aberdeen, is teaming up with Australia’s Industrial Foundation for Accident Prevention to set up a new freefall lifeboat training site.
SCI said yesterday the partnership was worth £2million to its business in the initial phase of the deal, for which a memorandum of understanding was signed during the recent Australasian Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference.
Construction work has already started on an extension to house the new operation in Fremantle.
SCI managing director Angus Campbell said: “At the moment, the nearest training centre to Western Australia is in Malaysia. This development will come as welcome news for all offshore oil and gas facilities and shipping fleets which have freefall lifeboats installed and need to meet industry-required training targets.”
The new centre is due to open in August and will have direct access into Fremantle’s Rous Head harbour.
SCI will provide a freefall lifeboat, two davits and a launch structure plus a motor-propelled survival craft, and oversee their maintenance and certification. The partners are also developing a range of courses to meet industry needs.
SCI, which also has operations in Norway, Singapore and at Booragoon, Western Australia, was among 26 Scottish companies and organisations represented at last week’s oil and gas show