Blyth based boat builder Alnmaritec is celebrating after the latest of its newly built aluminium workboats was delivered to the Seychelles, before being promptly blessed in a ceremony organized by owner Eden Island Marina.
The third in class of the successful Wave Hauler series, the 6m boat will be employed at the Eden Island Super-yacht marina in the Western Indian Ocean where she will be expected to fulfil a number of duties, as General Manager at Eden Island Christophe Houareau explains, “We have named the boat ‘TI TUG’ and she will be used for line handling, diver support, emergency fire response and of course tug duties. Seychelles is a predominantly catholic nation and it is tradition that a working boat is blessed by the parish Priest prior to going to work.”
Taking just 16 weeks to design and build the boat is powered by a Yanmar diesel engine driving a fixed pitch propeller, meaning she packs a powerful punch for her size. She has a fire fighting pump and seating for up to four as well as a sharp turn of speed of over 15 knots.
Houareau went on to explain the relationship with Alnmaritec, “We had contacted many other companies but Alnmaritec was the only one to respond to our queries in a positive manner, providing constructive alternatives to a difficult brief. We were asking a lot from a 21ft boat and Alnmaritec were able to work closely with us to find solutions to our problems and come in within our budget.”
For Alnmaritec providing this boat is just one in a long line of successes with overseas clients as Managing Director Chris Millman explained, “Over the last 5 years around 50% of the boats we’ve provided have been for clients outside of the UK. We’ve got boats all over the world, from windfarm support vessels in the UK to line handlers in West Africa, research and survey vessels in Russia to pollution control boats in Asia and just about everywhere in between.”