Mainstay ferry project

A Pembrokeshire UK-based designer, builder and maintainer of workboats has been praised for its commitment to local employment and apprenticeship scheme.

Welsh Government Economy Secretary, Ken Skates, praised the project during a visit to Mainstay Marine ahead of the firm finalising delivery details for the chain ferry to the Isle of Wight.

Stewart Graves, managing director of Mainstay Marine, said: “The new ferry has been a fantastic project to work on, with many of our apprentices assisting with its construction.”

“We are continuing to grow and a key reason for that is the workforce. We had a very clear goal to secure talent locally to Pembrokeshire and we’re pleased that this is paying dividends.”

Also known as a floating bridge, the 37m ferry will transport more than 1.5 million pedestrians and 400,000 vehicles per annum. In all, 180 tonnes of steel was used to fabricate the hull.

The ferry contract win safeguarded 30 jobs and helped create 50 new positions, with 98% of employees based in Pembrokeshire.

In addition, 10% of employees are apprentices as part of the firm’s bespoke education programme.

From design to delivery, the project will have taken 12 months. The ferry is scheduled for use in late April/early May 2017.

Mainstay Marine’s turnover has increased by a third, from just under £4m to more than £5m, during the last twelve months. It has recently won contract wins to build a £5.8m marine energy device for renewables firm Wave-Tricity and a transfer vessel for Scottish tug operator Targe Towing.