Oban News

As the use of robotics in data collection increases, the Scientific Robotics Academy, based at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) in Oban, will host two courses this March: "Environmental monitoring using autonomous platforms" and "Applied photogrammetry for environmental monitoring."The courses come amid the rapid expansion of twin technologies of AI and robotics, which are transforming the way tasks such as survey work and species identification can be completed.Based at beginner to intermediate level and intermediate to advanced level…

Montrose Port Authority at the end of 2022 welcomed into service its first ever purpose-built pilot boat, South Esk.The new £800,000 vessel was constructed by Safehaven Marine, in Youghal, Ireland and completed its sea trials at the Port of Cork before making its way to Montrose by traveling across the Irish Sea to Oban, around the top of Scotland and down the East coast.The Interceptor 48 model launch is the first newbuild pilot boat in Montrose’s 200-year trust port history…

A newly refurbished ferry has been delivered to provide additional capacity for operator CalMac Ferries on the west coast of Scotland.Purchased out of Norway in 2021 and renamed Loch Frisa, the vessel departed Dales Marine Services in Leith on May 29 for repositioning to Oban where it is undertaking familiarization and entry-in-to service activities.Starting in mid-June, the double-ended RoPax ferry will be phased into the Oban-Craignure timetable, in tandem with Coruisk. Once Loch Frisa takes over the full Coruisk timetable…

On 26th July, Damen Shipyards Group and Coastal Workboats Scotland unveiled a new vessel for the aquaculture industry in Oban, Scotland. The unveiling of the new Damen Landing Utility Vessel 1608 took place at the same time as the handover of the first in series, to client Loch Duart.The LUV 1608 is built by Coastal Workboats Scotland to a Damen design that was engineered by Damen design bureau OSD/IMT. The vessel will be able to carry out a wide range of support tasks to the aquaculture industry, including the transportation of people, equipment and feed to offshore fish-farming locations.

On Tuesday, June 21 at 4:30 a.m., a small local fishing vessel reported seeing a static white light 30 meters above the cliffs at Mull of Kintyre, Scotland. Worried that there might be someone in trouble on the cliffs, the U.K. Coastguard sent Oban and Campbeltown Coastguard Rescue Teams, Campbeltown RNLI all weather lifeboat and the U.K. Coastguard search and rescue helicopter, callsign R999, based at Prestwick, to the location. Arriving on scene, the Campbeltown Lifeboat discovered that the bright light was actually being used to attract moths to a white sheet as part of a biodiversity night survey. All teams were stood down and returned to base. Stephen Turner, U.K.

Ship repair and specialist fabrication firm Dales Marine reports a first time achievement as all of its seven docks around Scotland are full for the first time today. Dales Marine’s docks are filled with vessels ranging from offshore supply vessels to ferries, and are all owned by different firms. The work being carried out at Dales Marine’s six bases in Aberdeen, Leith (which has two docks), Grangemouth, Montrose, Greenock and Troon is a mixture of planned repair and maintenance, along with weather-related unplanned repairs.

Great-Yarmouth based 3sun Group, a specialist provider of products and services to the global energy industry, has reported a turnover of £13.7 million for the financial year 2012/13. The company’s turnover increased almost threefold from 2010/2011, going from £2.4million to £6.5million, and almost doubled from 2011/2012 with an increase to £11.4million. Its projected turnover for the 2013/14 financial year is on track to be £25million, following the recent acquisition of RRC Controls Services, an established manufacturer of subsea control systems for the offshore oil and gas industry.

A vessel that first reported suffering steering problems off the south west of Scotland early this afternoon has now been found and towed to safety. Liverpool Coastguard received a 999 call from one of the two people on board the vessel just after 1 p.m. this afternoon, reporting they were having mechanical problems. They said they were just south of Burrow Head, having set off from Oban and heading to Liverpool. The Ramsey RNLI all-weather lifeboat was sent to the scene, but they could not track down the vessel. Liverpool Coastguard managed to get hold of those on board again and soon established they were in a different position near the Cumbrian coast. The Workington RNLI all-weather lifeboat joined the search, but again on arrival at this new position there was no sign of the vessel.

3sun Group, a specialist provider of products and services to the global energy industry, announced the acquisition of RRC Controls Services Ltd., based in Gourdon Aberdeenshire. The deal, worth a six figure sum, is part of 3sun Group’s plans to expand its footprint in Aberdeen and enhance its service offering to the energy industry. The acquisition of RRC Controls Services, an established manufacturer of subsea control systems for the offshore oil and gas industry, will allow 3sun to provide the global subsea market with full turnkey engineering solutions.

3sun Group, a specialist provider of products and services to the global energy industry, announced the opening of its first office in Denmark, as part of the Group’s international growth plans. The new office in Esbjerg, Denmark will support 3sun Group’s increased presence in region, allowing the Group to offer its range of products and services to a wider market and range of companies operating within the area. Tenna Larsen has been appointed as office manager and will head up the new office in the Vestkraftkaj area of Esbjerg.

Two ships ran aground Tuesday off the west coast of Scotland, according to Herald Scotland. The first vessel, the 87-meter passenger cruise vessel Serenissima, was lodged on sand and gravel at a spot known as the Corran Ledge in Oban Bay Tuesday night as it made its way from Ireland to the port of Oban, Herald Scotland reported. Aboard the ship were 61 passengers and 51 crew members. With help from the ship’s crew and the Oban RNLI lifeboat team, Serenissima was refloated and inspected without any damage or pollution.

The passenger ship 'Serenissima' grounded Monday night in Oban Bay, was refloated the next day & awaits underwater inspection. The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency reported that the Stornoway Coastguard was alerted and was told that the ship had ran aground on sand and gravel. On board for the voyage from Ireland towards Oban were 61 passengers and 51 crew. There were no reported injuries, no reported pollution and no signs of water ingress. The RNLI lifeboat from Oban was on standby to assist if needed. The Oban Sector Manager and the Oban Coastguard Rescue Team were also on scene.

Aberdeen Harbour will welcome ten cruise calls this summer, with four vessels making their first ever visit to the port. The arrival of Noble Caledonia’s MS Quest, a small expedition liner carrying up to 50 passengers, heralded the start of the cruise season on Friday (May 6). A unique small vessel weighing in at 1268 tonnes, she spent the day in Aberdeen before leaving to explore the Copinsay Islands off Orkney, Isle of Lewis, St Kilda and Oban amongst other destinations. Other liners to visit the port over the summer include the MS Silver Cloud…

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issued its report on the investigation of the allision between the ro-ro ferry ISLE OF MULL and a moored vessel and a pier in Oban Bay. The ferry was approaching its berth. When the master moved from the center control console to the starboard wing control console, he forgot to start the bow thruster. As the officer of the watch started the bow thruster and transferred control to the starboard wing control console, the master’s control over the port engine was lost momentarily. By the time full control was regained, there was insufficient sea room to slow or maneuver the ferry. The primary cause of the allision was determined to be poor bridge team management practices. Report No. 13/2005 (HK Law)

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has taken delivery of four new boats from Vosper Thorneycroft Halmatic for use around the United Kingdom coastline. Delivered so are a general purpose support vessel to the Isles of Scilly and three Artic 22 rigid inflatable boats (RIB) to Holyhead, Hull and St Andrews in Scotland. The support vessel can reach speeds of more than 30 knots, and will be used to reach the smaller harbors and inlets in the Isles of Scilly and in Cornwall. The Artic 22 rigid inflatable boats can also reach speeds of more than 30 knots due to its twin 90hp outboard engines. These vessels are not designed at rescue vessels but will be used on a variety of tasks on a regional basis.