Tuesday October 16, 2018
Official launch for first
boat out of Parkol Marine’s Middlesbrough yard
Fishermen from
near and far gathered recently at Parkol Marine Engineering’s Whitby
headquarters for the naming ceremony of the first vessel to come out of the
esteemed boat-builder’s new Middlesbrough yard.
The Atlantic
Dawn scalloper, owned by James Monaghan of Islay Crab Exports based on the Scottish
Isle of Islay, enjoyed a traditional maritime naming ceremony where she was
blessed by Father Michael Gobbett and named by James’ daughter Kayleigh.
She was due to
undergo sea trials before starting work fishing for scallops in the English Channel
until Christmas, when she will then join the rest of James’ fleet in the Irish
Sea.
Parkol, which
was established in Whitby in 1971 and now has a reputation as
one of the leading boat manufacturers in the UK, opened its Middlesbrough yard
in October 2017 to increase its capacity for building larger boats and satisfy
the growing demand for new bespoke fishing vessels. The Atlantic Dawn is the
first project to be completed at the new fabrication facility, which boasts the
capability for keel to mast construction and fit-out entirely under cover – a
rarity in the UK.
Sally Atkinson, Parkol Director and Project Manager,
said: “This is the first time we’ve worked with James and we were thrilled to
win the order. It was a pleasure to build the Atlantic Dawn and we were really
pleased to be able to complete it two-and-a-half months ahead of schedule.”
James Monaghan was so impressed with Parkol’s service,
he says he wouldn’t bother looking elsewhere should he require another boat in
the future. “Absolutely everything was A1, I couldn’t have asked for more,” he
said. “The workmanship was fantastic, it’s the best I’ve ever experienced. They
are a family-run business and the personal touch was evident every step of the
way.
“The yard is an incredible place, the facilities are
just amazing. I’m not planning on building another new boat anytime soon but if
I was, Parkol would be my first and only choice.”
Established in
1985, Islay Crab Exports is a family-run business specialising in the supply of
high quality and mainly locally caught live velvet, green, spider and brown
crabs, winkles and scallop meat throughout Europe.
James wanted to add a new, bigger boat to his existing
fleet that would be able to cope well with the rough seas and stormy weather
that can batter the Scottish islands and coastline. Atlantic Dawn is 20.30
metres long with a 20,000 litre fuel
capacity and a 4000 litre fresh water capacity. Its fishroom has capacity for
600 38kg bags and its ice locker can hold three tonnes of ice.
He added: “Fuel
efficiency is very important to us as she’s working 24/7 and landing every five
or six days. She has a top speed of around 12 knots and we’re confident she
will perform brilliantly at sea.”
Parkol’s expansion is an important new chapter in the
life of the company. The Middlesbrough fabrication hall measures 70 metres by
35 metres by 40m high, with four boat-building berths that can accommodate new
builds up to 40 metres long and 10 metre beam. There are also three overhead
gantry cranes each with 20T lifting capacity which provides good flexibility
with regards to vessel sub-assemblies. Vessels can be built fully undercover up
to mast level, fully out-fitted, shot-blasted and painted in the hall ready for
load-out and sail away.
Sally added: ““The
new yard is already proving a massive asset to the business, the order book is healthy
and we’re looking forward to constructing more vessels there in 2019.”
Parkol’s highly
skilled team design, build, repair and maintain every type of steel, aluminium
and wood-hulled vessels, providing bespoke solutions that meet the individual
needs of every client. To contact them, email
info@parkol.co.uk or call (01947) 602669.
ENDS
Photos: Atlantic Dawn; James Monaghan and his daughter
Kayleigh at the naming ceremony
Please contact
Tracy Fletcher of By Tracy Fletcher Limited PR if you have any questions or
interview requests related to this media release, via 07983 633385 or
tracy@bytracyfletcher.com