News / Yell firm gets new mussel harvesting boat
A NEW purpose-built mussel harvesting vessel for C&A Thomason of Yell arrived in Lerwick Harbour on Thursday.
Built by Alumarine in Brittany, the Pro-Cat 14 aluminimum boat – named ‘Reliance’ – measures 14 metres long and 6.5 metres wide.
Managing director Christopher Thomason said his company’s existing workboat had limited deck space, meaning cleaning and grading of mussels had to be done on shore.
“The ‘Reliance’ will be fitted out with cleaning and grading equipment over the next 10 days,” he said, “which will make our harvesting operation much more efficient and allow us to process greater volumes of mussels.
“We selected Alumarine in Brittany to build the vessel because we were impressed with their workmanship and they were already familiar and experienced in building our chosen Pro Cat 14 design. We are very pleased with the result, which will make a significant difference to our business.”
Arriving in Lerwick, skipper of the boat Marvin Thomason said: “We have covered 1,200 miles since we left the shipyard in Brittany. We encountered some poor weather conditions in the Irish Sea but the boat handled it very well. We were pleased with the good overall speed of the vessel, averaging 11 to 12 knots.”
The introduction of this new harvesting vessel is part of a gradual expansion of the company, which supplies retail and wholesale markets across the UK including many high-end restaurants in London via Billingsgate Market.
C&A Thomason was established by Christopher Thomason in spring 1999, and his brother Marvin is now a partner in the business. As well as being skipper of the boat, Marvin looks after the sea sites, while Christopher manages the packing and shore side of the operation. The company currently employs 14 people.
Christopher continued: “We chose the name ‘Reliance’ in respect of a fishing boat that was very successful for a long time in Cullivoe, as we were growing up.
“We are very grateful to Ruth Henderson and Seafood Shetland for assistance with this project, and also to Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the European Fisheries Fund.”
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
