Case Studies

TIDAL EXPLORATORY WORK OFF SKYE

In January, 2011, we assisted Marine Current Turbines Ltd to deploy and retrieve ADCPs at Kyle Rhea. A crucial part of the task involved holding our support boat firmly on station, even in strong tides. The excellent manoeuvrability of the Margaret Sinclair proved ideal for the job.

TIDAL EXPLORATORY WORK OFF ISLAY

Working with main contractor Partrac, in the summer and autumn of 2009, we assisted with tidal exploratory work in the Sound of Islay for Scottish Power. Margaret Sinclair was used for towing a camera along, for seabed survey work. We also deployed and retrieved ADCPs

FISH FEED DELIVERY

We carry out regular delivery work for three UK fish feed suppliers. In 2010 the Carol Anne and Margaret Sinclair were contracted to deliver 20,000 tonnes of fish feed to 24 sites throughout the West Coast of Scotland.

NON STANDARD CARGO TRANSPORT

Our company is entrusted to provide a stand-in vessel for Europe's biggest coastal superquarry at Glensanda, if the firm's own boat - which is used to transport equipment - is out of service. In September, 2011, with the Glensanda boat in dry dock, the company urgently sought delivery of a five tonne engine for a digger. Carol Anne swiftly completed the task in hand. On an earlier occasion we delivered a skip for a 100 tonne dumper at the quarry.

RELIEF FERRY WORK

For the past six years, we have operated as the emergency relief vessel for the ferry serving the lifeline route which links the isle of Jura with neighbouring Islay. One example of this work was when the ferry suddenly broke down in autumn, 2010 and we were called to provide emergency cover. The call came on the Saturday morning of October 30 and by the same afternoon Margaret Sinclair was there, operating the Argyll and Bute Council service, from Port Askaig to Feolin, as normal.

SUPPORT WORK

In early 2011 we supplied a support vessel, to assist a company contracted by the Northern Lighthouse Board, to replace navigation markers on outlying rocks at Loch Creran and the isle of Jura.

SALVAGE WORK

In the autumn of 2007 we assisted Irish Diving Contractors Ltd on a six week deep water salvage operation, on two fishing vessels, for the Irish Government. Our crucial role in this specialist recovery process was to assist the dive team, with the preparation and rigging of the sunken vessels, in advance of the arrival of a 300 tonne crane barge. We then continued to operate as a dive support vessel, assisting the crane barge and utilising the Margaret Sinclair's own crane too.

DIVE SUPPORT

Margaret Sinclair worked as a dive support vessel for Caldive Ltd in the summer of 2007. The contract involved transporting divers to an outfall pipe, off the isle of Man, enabling them to lay mattresses and to replace a diffuser.

CABLE LAYING

The summer of 2009 saw Margaret Sinclair provide dive support for a cable laying ship at Portrush, Northern Ireland. We assisted Denholm Offshore Limited by enabling the shore landing of a fibre optic telecoms cable, which stretched all the way across the Atlantic.