New workboat joins Bakkafrost Scotland fleet

Salmon producer Bakkafrost Scotland has taken delivery of a new 24-metre workboat from Macduff Shipyards.

The vessel has been named Turas a ‘Bhradain, meaning “the salmon’s journey” in Gaelic. An internal competition was launched to name the new workboat, and the winner was six year old Chloe Macdonald, from the Isle of Lewis.

Bakkafrost Scotland commissioned the £2.6m vessel from the Macduff Shipyards in Aberdeenshire, and it is the first of two bespoke vessels being built by the yard for the business.

Turas a ‘Bhradain, will operate across Bakkafrost Scotland’s sites on the West Coast and Hebrides and has been delivered following a year-long construction period.

From mid-July, the new vessel will be operating alongside Bakkafrost Scotland’s wellboats the Ronja Star and Ronja Fisk, playing a key role in fish health by preparing the pens for the wellboat to carry out freshwater treatments.

Ronja Star joined the Bakkafrost Scotland fleet in November 2022, and has been specifically built to handle fish with care, while increasing biosecurity in line with Bakkafrost Scotland’s sustainability strategy, which will see an increase in the use of freshwater treatments across all its marine sites on the West Coast of Scotland.

Ian Laister, managing director at Bakkafrost Scotland said: “By commissioning the Turas a ‘Bhradain and the second workboat from Macduff Shipyards we have been in a position to support approximately 250 jobs at the yard, which will hopefully help the business to continue investing in young people, where they are typically hiring 10-12 apprentices annually.

“Bakkafrost Scotland are committed to investing in an environmentally sensitive manner and in local communities by actively awarding contracts where possible to local businesses. This deal is important to us and integral to our plan for responsible growth.”